MEDIA RELEASE__Schools and youth organizations can explore the connections between farming, food and the environment through free, hands-on educational field trips offered by Bluffton University this fall and spring. 

Through Farm, Environment and Agriculture School Trips (FEAST), Bluffton University is offering fully funded educational visits to the Bluffton University Nature Preserve and Little Riley Creek Farm in Bluffton. Designed for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 and other community groups, the programs provide opportunities to learn about local agriculture, environmental stewardship, soil health and food systems through real-world experiences. 

Schools and groups can choose to visit one or both locations, with programming customized to their educational goals, state learning standards, group size and students’ ages. Visits can be adapted to fit a group’s schedule, whether that means a single location, multiple programs in one day or separate visits. 

Field trips are offered at no cost to participating groups. Funding covers transportation, educational materials and food. Schools using their own buses will be reimbursed for travel costs, and other transportation arrangements may be coordinated with program organizers. Participating groups may also arrange a lunch or snack featuring locally grown ingredients. 

Each visit can accommodate up to 40 students, allowing groups to explore, ask questions and engage directly with their surroundings. 

At the Nature Preserve, students can investigate ecosystems and the relationships between living things and their environment. At Little Riley Creek Farm, participants can explore local food production, organic growing practices, soil health and the role of farms in their communities. Activities can incorporate hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom lessons with the natural world and the food students eat. 

Fall field trips are available through November 2026, with additional opportunities planned for March through May 2027. Educators and group leaders are encouraged to contact the program organizer to discuss learning goals and reserve a date. 

FEAST is supported by the Stinner Endowment through The Ohio State University’s Agroecosystem Management Program. Program planning is supported by a regional committee that includes Bluffton University, Ohio State University Extension, The Nature Conservancy, Little Riley Creek Farm and local farmers’ markets. The initiative brings regional partners together to expand access to agricultural and environmental education while helping students better understand the connections among farms, food and their communities. 

To learn more or reserve a field trip, contact Kathy Dickson, senior director of advancement and special projects at Bluffton University, at [email protected].