A New Year at the MCS Farm

The start of a new year brings a time of reflection, optimism, and for some, new goals. At the Manhattan Country School Farm, the start of the new year also brings the return of students to the Farm and lambing season. 

Our 7th and 8th grade students returned to Roxbury over the last two weeks. Although the trips were shorter to provide health and safety measures, the kids made the most of their time here, including playing spirited games of Bananagrams, “butt-sliding” on the icey hills, and snuggling with newborn lambs. At this point four lambs have been born, with five more ewes expecting. Nature classes have been digging deeper into a proposal by Hughes Energy to construct an organic waste, high speed composting facility in Roxbury. This facility would turn solid waste (municipal garbage) from the tristate area into a pelleted fuel source to offset carbon emissions. The students are researching and debating this topic using the lens of the three E’s, Environment, Economics and Equity. 

While the temperatures have been frigid, the high tunnel greenhouse still has food growing inside. The children have harvested salad greens, carrots, broccoli, radishes and parsnips to create delicious meals. Dozens of hay bales were moved from the dairy barn to the steer pen and carts of wood hauled to the rec room and Textiles studio to keep us warm. The Textiles studio is always a draw for students, but when the winter wind is whipping, working on colorful fiber art next to a roaring wood stove is magical.

See all of the photos from the 7th and 8th Grade January trips here.