Neubauer Farms helps food studies students get up close
A couple of weeks ago, about 80 students from food studies classes at Medicine Hat High School visited Neubauer Farms. Outdoor cooking, watching chickens take a dust bath, tasting honey fresh from the hive, milking goats and digging up vegetables in the garden were all part of the visit.
“I think it was very positive,” said Nichole Neubauer. “The students were so engaged and excited to explore. Maybe even some of their inner child came out while they searched in the garden trying to find the biggest pumpkin, digging for the biggest carrots – there was just that element of nature and it was incredible to see how much they enjoyed the opportunity and even just how their perceptive changed.
“When they got off the bus, they were quiet, shy and guarded and by the end they were 100% into it.”
Food studies teacher Katie DeRoaldes shared similar sentiments.
“It was very invigorating,” DeRoaldes said. “It was a special opportunity for the kids. You see them mostly on their phones, even when they are outside with their friends. It was nice for them to get to their inner child and just love being in the dirt, love playing with goats, love picking up the chickens. Nobody had their phone out or was looking at their phone.”
Neubauer was impressed with how many students wanted to attempt hand-milking a goat. The students are currently taking a Farm to Table module that was incorporated this year.
“In agriculture, so often we talk about the need to have agriculture in the curriculum in schools, and here is a fantastic example of it being there and we need to capitalize on making the connection by being that farm,” said Neubauer.
The students brought back a variety of vegetables, including potatoes, beets, squash, hybrid vegetables, cucumbers onions and garlic. The following day, they participated in a soup competition, with each group preparing one of their choice.
“Soup isn’t a science,” explained DeRoaldes, “it’s more like an art. You can add whatever, it’s very diverse. This is their first foods class. They are experimenting to see what flavours they like and how to balance out flavours.”
DeRoaldes has been teaching for more than 12 years and moved to food studies about a decade ago.
“I’m a huge foodie and I love watching kids create something and be proud of it. I like watching them get a little stressed out and then realizing what they can do under pressure. That is one of the best things. In this day and age, I feel kids have lots of anxiety and they are nervous, but then they get with a group of kids and they start to feel comfortable. That helps with socialization and it’s great teamwork.
“I feel it’s important to get back to basics, nature and wholefoods.”
While food studies is an option, classes are full. DeRoaldes is glad so many students are enrolling as it is a crucial life skill. Next spring, after the semester changes in January, a different group of students will return to Neubauer Farms to help plant and harvest spring-available foods.