Our Vision

ionTo instill a love of nature, the outdoors, and farm life in the lives of its patrons and create a community of learners that is passionate about preserving the natural environment for future generations through its multifaceted education programs, unique facilities, and natural surroundings.

Our History

In the early 1970’s, 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 and using nature as a classroom.

So, in 1973 Sally and Jean, along with many friends and supporters, founded The Learning Tree Farm Project. The first year hosted approximately 200 students for field trips.  Due to the dedication and passion for this mission we now see over 12,000 students a year.

Our Mission

To engage people in hands-on, nature-based learning in a timeless farm setting.

Facilities

Our facility has a number of buildings and gathering spaces. The Century House, built in the mid 1800’s is used primarily for field trips and staff space. Our barns which house our animals and equipment consist of a historic Bank barn, a traditional tobacco barn, and a new equipment barn. The combination of wide-open spaces and authentic buildings and features creates a magical environment to explore.

The Shelter house is used for field trips, community programs, events, birthday parties, staff retreats and more. We also have a fire ring and climbing rocks – used for many educational events and community gatherings.

The Nature based playground uses natural and agricultural elements for exploratory play, exercise, and learning.

Be sure to visit our garden with 20 raised beds, a hoop house, greenhouse, orchard, beehives, and vineyard. From carrots to turnips, children are challenged to try new vegetables.  Most get to harvest their own vegetables to taste and smell and also learn the plant cycle from seed to vegetable.  There are also 2 large water collection tanks for watering our plants.

Through our Clean Ohio grant we have 64 acres of preserved woodland area for children to explore and interact with nature and enjoy an observation tower and tire swing.

Leadership Team

  • Heather Pax

    Executive Director

  • Loralynn Kadell

    Farm Director

  • Robert Christman

    Assistant of Farm Operations

  • Kimberly Lovings

    Finance & Administrative Director

  • Emma Wargo

    Community Programming Coordinator

  • René Hicks

    Nature Preschool Director

As Learning Tree Farm continues to look toward the future, we will strive to ensure our environment’s benefits are available to all people. We will do this by expanding accessible options and programming and finding ways to offer low-cost programming. Hence, everyone has the opportunity to feel the sense of freedom and well-being that nature can offer us.”

— Heather Pax, Executive Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee

President  - Jennifer Parker

Vice President - Gail Plunkett

Treasurer - Brett Vandeman

Secretary - Ashley Warwar

Honorary

Jean Ryan - Co Founder

Members

Collin Heinz

Howard Miller

Anne Cybenko

Elizabeth Engelhardt

Carly Rausche

Troy (Alan) Black

Contact us

Interested in learning more? Email us your questions and we look forward to connecting with you shortly.