A white livestock guardian dog stands in a green pasture, looking down at a grazing lamb. Behind them are several other sheep and two metal A-frame shelters.

Program Overview

  • Theme/Topic: Every Member Of The Whole Has A Role
  • Age Range: 10yr.- 13yr.
  • When: TBD
  • Time: The session begins at 4:00 pm on Sunday and closes at 11 am the following Sunday
  • Cost: $1050
  • Reserve a spot: Contact the BCS office to apply for a space

This week-long immersive program, "Every Member of the Whole has a Role," invites middle schoolers to discover how a farm functions as a complete ecosystem. Students will explore how diverse crops and animals work in partnership to build healthy soil and sustainable food systems.

Overview

  • Rotational Grazing & Soil Health: Students will learn the "choreography" of multi-species rotational grazing, moving livestock across pastures to prevent overgrazing and naturally sequester carbon.
  • Biodiversity in Action: Participants will study how diverse crop rotations and heirloom varieties protect against pests and climate instability, contrasting these methods with industrial monocultures.
  • The Multi-Faceted Animal: Daily sessions will highlight the essential roles animals play beyond food production:
    • Protectors & Providers: Guardian dogs - the advantages and disadvantages.
    • Pollinators & Fertilizers: The role of bees in crop success and how manure serves as "black gold" for soil.
    • Emotional Connection: Exploring the human-animal bond and the role of farm animals in providing emotional support and stress relief.

Learning Opportunities-Through hands-on field work and data collection, students will gain a foundational understanding of regenerative agriculture and environmental stewardship. 

Contact The Bovina for Sustainability Office to initiate the enrollment process- info@thebovinacenterforsustainbility.org