We enjoy a box of fresh farm produce each week from Abundant Harvest Organics. We took advantage of the farm tour when it was offered so that our children could see the process involved in getting the food from the farm to our table. This is a tour offered occasionally during the year and is fascinating and well worth the cost of admission. It is a fantastic educational experience for kids and adults alike. If you do not live in California, check to see if your local farms offer tours of both the farms and processing facilities.
We all got to help prepare a farm box to see how the fruit and vegetables make it into the box. The kids enjoyed wearing hair nets, gloves and fluorescent vests. The employees seemed to enjoy having the kids ‘help’ them.
We learned that the oranges travel on conveyor belts and then go under many infrared cameras which take photos of the fruit at different angles in order to sort it into various classifications. No fruit goes to waste. The fruit with the most imperfections on the skin becomes juice.
Part of the fun of the tour is the samples. This is a great way for children to stay engaged in the process. All of our kids enjoyed the many samples of fruit and vegetables. Capri carried her orange as she walked along during the tour wearing an extra shirt from her brothers to keep warm.
This tour offers a hayride as fun way to get out to various parts of the farm. Xayden pointed out something he found interesting on the Farm to Capri as they waited for the hayride to begin.
We learned that they ‘thin’ the fruit by picking about 80% of it off of the tree at an early stage in order for the remaining fruit to be able to grow large enough for market. We had fun participating in the thinning of the plums. Ryder was happy to climb a tall ladder while he thinned the fruit. In the second photo, Ryder enjoyed a piggy back ride with “Uncle Vern” who is the head of Abundant Harvest (and goes by Uncle Vern to all farm guests).
The biggest highlight of the tour for the kids was the release of the ladybugs. If you decide to go on a tour, find out what time of year they release the ladybugs into the farm. It is so fun for the kids to hold a cup of ladybugs and and help them find a shady spot. Capri wanted to make friends with each and every ladybug. She was instantly attached! It was fun to see so many ladybugs being released into the farm as a natural form of pest control. The first photo shows Grayson’s hand holding the cup of ladybugs.
Have you been on a tour of your local farm or manufacturing facility? What did you think? If you haven’t been, it is a great thing to add to your family adventure list. It is also nice for schools and scout troupes. We had a Girl Scout troupe on our tour who earned a badge for their participation.
Mother’s Day is right around the corner! Mother’s Day is that one day out of the year to make the moms in your life feel very appreciated – a time to pamper them, thank them, and honor them.
So I’ve gotten together with a group of bloggers in the hopes of making TWO moms feel extra special this Mother’s Day. We’ve come together to create a giveaway where we are giving away TWO KitchenAid stand mixers. This seems to be one of those items that moms hesitate to buy and splurge on. Well, let us do it for you!
To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. I know that sometimes these giveaways may seem a little overwhelming with all of the entries, but we try our best to keep them to a minimum all the while still being able to giveaway some great prizes. Just remember that these bloggers are putting forth their own money in order to give away these prizes and we are giving you a chance to win and you are helping us in return by visiting our blogs and entering. Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day!
Christine - The Choosy Mommy says
Ew the ladybugs gross me out!! LOL! I was 26 and 29 when I had my kids (3 and almost 1!)
Theresa says
That is funny! The ladybug release only happens at certain times of the year and is optional. Our kids all loved it. : 0 )
Tessa says
What a great, informative experience! Love that. Also, the giveaway was definitely entered by me!
Theresa says
Thank you Tessa!
And best of luck on the giveaway.
: 0 ) Theresa
Sue Parke says
Wow I cannot get over all those ladybugs! Definitely a great day and learning experience, and a lot of great pics!
Theresa says
Thank you Sue.
It was pretty amazing to see so many ladybugs. Each of our kids got to distribute a cup full of them. My husband and I did too. : 0 )
Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories says
I was 28 when my first was born. I now have 3 kids. 🙂
Shann says
So cool! I’d love to take my boys on a tour like this. They also would love the ladybug release. Mom to 3 boys, age 6 and almost 4-year-old twins.
Theresa says
Hi Shann.
They may offer one in your area. I would highly recommend it. As the adults, we learned a lot too.
: 0 ) Theresa
Brittany Graham says
I wish there was something like that in our area! That’s so awesome and the kids look like they had a great time! Fingers crossed on this giveaway!
Theresa says
Hi Brittany.
We had a long drive to get to this event but it was worth it. Maybe there is something like that in your area? I wish you the best of luck in the giveaway. : 0 )
Courtney says
so fun! I was 23 and have 3 kids.
Theresa says
Hi Courtney.
We did have a lot of fun on this field trip. : 0 )
CourtneyLynne says
Omg all of those lady bugs!!!!! That would of been the coolest thing to happen to me when I was a kid since for some reason o loved lady bugs!!!! I bet my daughter would have a blast visiting here 🙂
Theresa says
Hi CourtneyLynne.
I would have loved this tour as a child too. There is something magical about ladybugs. : 0 )
Michele says
This tour is amazing. I never knew how the oranges were processed. I’d love to go on this tour with my son!
Theresa says
I think you would really enjoy the tour, Michele. I learned a lot too. It was fascinating to see how the oranges and other fruit were processed and to learn why each step was taken. The kids were thrilled and ate their fruit and veggies with a new sense of admiration when we got home.
Cassandra says
I will become a mom in September to my first and be 25.
Theresa says
Congratulations on your pregnancy Cassandra! That is very exciting. Maybe some day you can take your little one on a tour of a local farm. : 0 )