About Learning Tree Farm

In April of 1973, classroom teachers who were concerned about how "out of touch" their students were with the outdoors founded Learning Tree Farm, Inc. Learning Tree's mission is "to provide hands-on learning experiences in a traditional farm setting." Learning Tree strives to present curriculum based programs in this setting in order to offer a new kind of learning beyond the classroom and its textbooks. It has been serving school children and their families in the Dayton/Miami Valley area, growing from about 200 students in 1973 to over 6,000 in 2006.

At present the staff is composed of an Executive Director, two Co-Founders, plus Program, Farm and Office staff. Contracted services and volunteers help round out the operations. Visitors come from 9 Ohio counties: Butler, Clark, Greene, Hamilton, Miami, Darke, Montgomery, Preble and Warren.

The need for the services that Learning Tree Farm offers is apparent. According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, between 1950 and 2000, Ohio lost more than 6.9 million acres of farmland, representing nearly one-fourth of Ohio’s land. Ohio is second in the nation in the loss of such farmland. Many young people today have little or no experience with farm life, a significant part of Ohio's culture and history.

It is our belief that an appreciation for the past as well as for nature lays the foundation for an appreciation of one's own life, a core influence on future success. Exposure to the natural world, such as Learning Tree Farm offers, can be effective in developing a child's physical and mental health, sense of patience, appreciation for property, and delight in living things. A successful experience in a new environment can improve a child's sense of accomplishment, self-esteem, and achievement. The concept of a child participating in his/her own learning becomes a reality at Learning Tree Farm. We feel that our mission, to facilitate hands-on learning experiences in a traditional farm setting, makes us unique in the Miami Valley.

Learning Tree Farm Frequently Asked Questions

How did Learning Tree Farm get started?

In the early 1970s two teachers, Sally Keyes and Jean Ryan, noticed that not all students learn well in a classroom setting. They took their students on walking or biking field trips to Island Park and Triangle Park in Dayton. Students became excited about seeing “so many trees in one place”, bird's nests in trees, bugs under rocks, and the river. When the students returned to school, they shared their adventures. Sally and Jean were sold on the value and importance of hands-on learning!

So, in 1973 Sally and Jean, along with many friends as supporters, founded Learning Tree Farm. Learning Tree Farm is a non-profit with the mission to facilitate hands-on learning experiences in a traditional farm setting. To get the Farm ready for visitors took much hard work in the barns, fields, and yards. The first year brought 200 students from Dayton schools.

Today, the Farm serves 6,000 students each year from nine counties and the number is growing! The Farm offers memberships, meeting facilities, group outings for all ages, and a variety of programs for schoolchildren throughout nine counties in the Miami Valley.

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How did Learning Tree Farm get its name? Is there actually a learning tree?

The tallest, the oldest, and for humankind, the most bountiful of living things are trees. From the substance of trees we derive, food, fuel and shelter, shade in the summer, fruit to eat, roots that help keep the soil in place, lumber for our homes, and wood for our fire; from their grace and enduring beauty we draw inspiration and a sense of renewal.

Because the Farm has over 40 different kinds of trees, because they are so prominent, and because they offer us much to learn, the co-founders chose Learning Tree Farm as the name!

There never was a specific “learning tree” for everyone. Each person looks at all the trees on the Farm and finds his or her own “learning tree”. Now, when visitors come they are asked to find their “Learning Tree” from the hundreds on the Farm!

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What kinds of animals are at the farm?

Throughout the year, the Farm strives to have a variety of all the traditional farm animals - cows, ducks, geese, goats, pigs, sheep, donkeys, chickens, horses and ponies and assorted dogs and cats. The animals live in two barns - the Bank Barn (built on the side of a banked hill) and a Tobacco Barn (originally named for drying the tobacco that was grown on the farm). To take good care of the animals, Learning Tree Farm uses the services of a veterinarian and an experienced, dedicated farm staff.

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Can I pet the animals? What are their names?

To fully live the “hands-on experiences” everyone is invited and encouraged to pet the animals. To safeguard the visitors and the animals, remember you are a visitor in their home - be gentle, be kind, speak quietly. Please close the gates and doors if you open them, to keep our animals and farm safe.

Some animals come to Learning Tree Farm with a name. Sometimes animals are born at the farm, and our staff give them names. You can ask a Learning Tree Farm staffperson what an animal's name is. Visitors are encouraged to name the animals for the day!

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What does the Farm grow? Is there a garden?

The Farm has a vegetable garden, an orchard, grape vines, and an herb garden. Flower gardens grace the yard around Century House. Hay and straw grow in the fields.

The vegetable garden has raised boxes for growing fruits and vegetables. In the spring, the vegetables garden grows many kinds of lettuce, carrots, early peas and radishes. Berries are very plentiful, too. In the summer, an abundant supply of tomatoes, onions, beans, cucumbers, various hot and sweet peppers and some ears of corn occupy the garden. The fruit trees bear apples and peaches. In the fall, rutabagas, squash, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli grow. In the winter, the gardens rest.

The grape vines produce purple grapes that are used to make juice and jam. Polly’s Herb Garden is behind Century House. Basil, lavender, sage, rosemary, thyme, Italian parsley, costmary are regularly planted herbs.

Each garden is used as part of the programs. Visitors learn that the tops of some plants, bottoms of other plants and the middle of plants are edible. Tasting and smelling are integral to hands-on activities!

Learning Tree Farm produce is sold or bartered to help sustain the Farm.

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What can I do at Learning Tree Farm?

Everyone is encouraged to see all features of the Farm. You can spend the day visiting the animals, exploring the herb, vegetable and flower gardens and the orchard. You can ramble on our woodland trails, through the meadows, hay fields, and thickets. You can learn about pioneer living in Century House and the adjacent Milk House, Wash House, and the Carriage House. You can explore the Bank Barn and the Tobacco Barn and perhaps help collect fresh eggs in the chicken coop. There's a play area with a tractor or two and a playhouse, and trees to climb. Bring lunch and drinks to enjoy in the covered picnic shelter. There are usually a few barn cats to pet, as well as our canine staff, who welcome visitors and safeguard the farm.

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What kind of programs are there at the Farm?

Learning Tree Farms offers programs to all ages from throughout the Miami Valley region. All the programs focus on hands-on experiences. All aspects of the Farm - animals, gardens, fields, people - are used to enrich the experience. Programs include:

Year-round, special programs may be offered, such as Sheep-shearing in the spring. Contact us for more information on programs for your class or group.

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How many buildings are on the Farm?

Century House, the original homestead, was built in parts. The first part has one room downstairs with a winding staircase that leads to a room upstairs. The downstairs room was used as the kitchen and sitting area with the original fireplace still usable. The 6 additional rooms were added with the last room added in the late early 1900’s. Indoor plumbing was added in the 1970’s. Four outbuildings on the Farm are a Bank Barn, Tobacco Barn, Carriage House, and Smoke House. The fifth building includes the Milk House and Wash House, together as one.

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Who owns the Farm? How does it support itself?

Learning Tree Farm is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Farm receives support through admission fees, program fees, memberships, foundation/grant awards, fundraisers, and generous donors.

The two main fundraisers are the Antiques Appraisal in late winter and Autumn Fest in early fall. If you would like information about supporting Learning Tree Farm, please contact us for information regarding the ANNUAL FUND, SPECIAL FUNDS, and THE ARBOR SOCIETY OF LEARNING TREE FARM which provides an opportunity to remember the Farm with a legacy gift in your will or estate plan.

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