Hawthorne Valley Farm Education Programs

Learning at Hawthorne Valley where education is a key part of our mission

Public Outreach At Hawthorne Valley Farm, education is at the core of much of the work we do. The public is always invited to visit and walk around the farm. (For a more formal tour, please contact Rachel to make arrangements.) We welcome school and business groups, interested farmer alliances, civic and government organizations, and any individuals or groups interested in learning more about aspects of agriculture, biodynamics, value–added processing, managing a multi–faceted farming operation, or any topic on which we might be a resource. In addition, our farmers and managers are available to speak and give presentations at seminars, conferences, and meetings.
Learning Opportunities at HVF Through our farmer apprentice program, adults of a broad spectrum of ages spend from five months to two years living at working on the farm, fully enmeshed in the day–to–operations of a dairy, beef, and market-garden farm. The Visiting Students Programs has intern and counselor positions for young adults to work with students from urban and suburban schools, grades 3 through 12, who come to the Farm during the school year to work with the animals alongside the farmers. During the summer, the VSP is home to a summer camp for kids (ages 9 through 15). The Farmscape Ecology Program is based at Hawthorne Valley Farm, in Columbia County, New York. Its central goal is exploring the interaction of agriculture and native species habitat in our region. We do this for two reasons: 1) to help interested farmers learn about additional aspects of their land; and 2) to help the general public see the potential positive interactions between regional farming and nature conservation. The Alkion Center offers two adult education programs. The Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy program is designed to guide the participants through a cohesive sequence of group study, artistic practice, and specialized seminar/workshops. Grounded in the path of inner development outlined by Rudolf Steiner, the goal of these courses is to awaken the individual to the working of the spirit in the human being, nature and society.The Teacher Training course offers a comprehensive study of Waldorf education, based on Rudolf Steiner's profound insight of human nature and the needs of the growing child.

Outreach and Educational Opportunities