Welcome to News about Your Community Farm!

As the world turns, we shift into a new season and add a cozy warm layer. Recent rains have buoyed the farmers' growing fields, and our fall crops are beautiful!

Our new field trip season was launched by a terrific visit by the 5th graders of Newtown Friends School. They gained team-building skills at the Adventure Course on the Whale Watch, Cable Traverses, and the Island Crossing. The students were sad to leave, and we look forward to their return!

This past Monday, we hosted our first-ever Vacation Camp Day. When our local public schools have a day off, we invite students to spend it with us exploring the farm. Our first Camp Day was a huge success with 14 students ages K-5 building forts in the woods, singing camp songs, playing games, visiting the animals, snacking on fresh peppers, and picking flowers for bouquets to take home. The next Camp Days are Nov 3rd, 5th and 6th (details below)!

We were deeply grateful to see the return of volunteers from Trinity Life Sciences this week, the intrepid Bill and Ronnie tending the Children's Garden, and the work of youth community service volunteers. It is such a blessing to have helping hands!

NFS students working together to help a classmate cross the cable traverse and the islands

Our wonderful volunteers from Trinity Life Sciences, after a busy day working all over the farm and helping to support our mission (above), and our Children's Garden crew (below)

Camp Day friends meeting a lovely hen and finding a Mexican sunflower in the garden

While we won't be open for all October weekends, we do hope you will come explore the farm on one of our farm event days!

Does your child have a day off from school? Come spend a day on the farm, explore our campus, have outdoor adventures, and make new friends.

Snipes Farm is the perfect place to host a party or event! Check out our website for details about our 4 party locations and reserve your spot today.

Families with children ages 2-5 are loving our Little Sprouts program this fall! We still have openings in our Tuesday class for the next 6 fall sessions.

Our Green Team and Veggie Team continue to provide vital support to our organization. We would love to have you come join us this fall.

A bonfire is the perfect venue for a fall party this season. Come roast your s'mores and have so much fun with your group.

Cultivating Young Minds:

How PA’s EITC Program Bridges

Snipes Farm and Local Schools

Snipes Farm and Education Center is on a mission to empower children through farm and nature education. Learning extends beyond the classroom walls. School gardens and the woods, fields, creeks, and gardens of Snipes Farm allow nature to be the teacher. At schools, mobile kitchens are set up in a library or cafeteria where children gain basic cooking skills. Fresh ingredients become a window into the world as each is traced back to the place where it was grown. Children learn how they can feel their bodies well.

For over 10 years, these life-changing programs have been funded by Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, where businesses donate the equivalent of their state income tax to approved non-profit organizations that then provide educational opportunities to local schools. EITC funds have helped nutrition and garden education programs to reach the students of Morrisville School District (MSD)and Fallsington Elementary in the Pennsbury District. Grandview and Fallsington have been able to develop and expand their school gardens and outdoor classrooms. EITC has also supported the Seed-to-Fork MSD high school program stipends.

"What is heartening about having community partners is the deep sense that we are not alone in this work," says Melanie Douty-Snipes, Director of Education. "We make great things happen for the community together."

WM is our longest EITC supporter, with Fulton Bank and Mid-Penn Bank as partners in expanding local educational opportunities. Starting this Fall in partnership with the Friends Collaborative, individuals can allocate up to 90% of their PA state income taxes to support the educational programs of Snipes Farm and Education Center.

"It is inspiring to build bridges through our programs to the community," Melanie added. We hope that you will consider being a part of the future of Snipes Farm and Education Center's mission. Please reach out to Rachel Griffin-Snipes (rachelgs@snipesfarm.org) to learn more about individual or corporate giving through EITC.