Middle and high school teachers from the Valley participated in a two-day, hands-on professional learning experience last week at Waynesboro Education Farm.
Farm to Fork provided educators with strategies to bring authentic, outdoor learning opportunities to their classrooms. The outdoor workshop experiences mirrored what students may encounter in project-based learning settings.
Waynesboro Schools hosted the workshop in partnership with James Madison University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“At the farm we are trying to make education concepts like Placed Based Learning, Project Based Learning and Regenerative learning very practical. The teachers flowed through the farm these two days exactly how students do – always moving, working in groups, on an authentic project that resulted in a delicious meal to cap the evenings off. School can be fun and we can learn a ton – this is why we do what we do,” Waynesboro Education Farm Educator Ryan Blosser said.
Teachers harvested produce, collaborated to prepare farm-to-table meals, and took part in real farm work that emphasized character-building
and teamwork. They also designed student-led learning projects, learned practical techniques for learning outside of the traditional classroom, and explored cross-curricular connections that align naturally with state standards.
“The Waynesboro Education Farm workshop was truly transformative for me as an educator. Learning how to apply project-based learning in such a hands-on, real-world setting showed me how powerful it can be when students see science come alive beyond the classroom walls. The farm environment gave me fresh ideas for connecting lessons to everyday life, and I left inspired to create learning experiences that are not only engaging but also meaningful and lasting for my students,” Kate Collins Middle School teacher McKinley Armstrong said.
ICYMI: Waynesboro Education Farm news
- Waynesboro Schools Education Farm grows with redesign and student learning
- Virginia Superintendent Dr. Lisa Coons visits Waynesboro Schools’ farm, STEP Learning Lab, CTE
- VSBA recognizes Waynesboro Education Farm
- Veggies, herbs, fruits, oh my! Waynesboro Education Farm presents annual plant sale
In addition to new tools for classroom practice, participants left with project-based learning frameworks, outdoor classroom management strategies, and project ideas designed to strengthen engagement and achievement. Farm-fresh meals capped off each evening and emphasized the community-building spirit of the event.
The Waynesboro Education Farm, adjacent to Berkeley Glenn Elementary School, continues to serve as a model for hands-on learning that connects classrooms to the land, community and real-world problem solving.
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Rebecca Barnabi
