Botany Field Trip Ideas

If you are looking for ways to add field trips into your homeschool or classroom then check out these awesome botany field trip ideas that I have discovered. You will need to research the exact locations in your state but I am sure you will find many more locations then you will have time to visit this year. If you do a quick Google search like “Garden Centers Near Me or Herb Farm Near Me” then you should be able to find some unique botany field trip locations.

If your state college offers an extension office, usually tying in with 4-H, check with them about programs related to gardening and farming for kids as well as cooking the foods grown.

Arboretum–  An arboretum in a general sense is a botanical collection composed exclusively of trees. More commonly a modern arboretum is a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants and is intended at least in part for scientific study. An arboretum specializing in growing conifers is known as a pinetum. Wikipedia Late Spring visits to an arboretum will yield young leaf buds and blossoms which might delight your children.

Aquaponics Farm– Aquaponics  refers to any system that combines conventional aquaculture with hydroponics in a symbiotic environment. In normal aquaculture, excretions from the animals being raised can accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity.Wikipedia If you have ever wondered how to grow both protein and vegetables then aquaponics might be just the thing you are looking for.

Beekeeper or Apiary– Even with the devastation of colony collapse over the past few years there are many bee keepers as well as beekeeping associations across the world which your family can learn from. Maybe you can find a bee keeper using the Top Bar method or the traditional boxes. Planting native flowers and even keeping a vegetable garden will help the bees in your neck of the woods.

Botanical Garden– Many states offer botanical gardens in a larger cities or within zoos. We were able to visit a rather large botanical garden when we visited Fort Wayne, Indiana. All four of my children were excited once inside and each child found some type of plants which they enjoyed.

Chocolate Factory– Our state has a handful of factories from very large to very small which make candies by machine or each piece by hand. You can check out my list of chocolate factories in Ohio in my blog post entitled Chocolate Factory Tours.

Compost Facility– Check with your local city or county to see what type of compost facility they might offer. You might be able to get some good compost from them for future gardening projects or just take a tour to see what they have to offer.

Flour Mill or Grist Mill– A gristmill grinds cereal grain into flour and middlings. The term can refer to both the grinding mechanism and the building that holds it. Wikipedia Many gristmill are no longer functioning but may be a museum which you can visit. We have one near us called Bear’s Mill.

Fruit Farm– In the Summer you might enjoy going to a berry farm to pick your own but if you think about calling in the Spring you might get to experience planting season. Apple farms are great to visit in the Fall when apples are ripe for eating but what about in the Spring to see all the blossoms and pollinators?

Garden Center or Greenhouse- Ever wonder how some families have such larger gardens or nicely tender flower beds? The secret might lay in the seedlings and plants offered at their local garden center. We have a few in our area even a large one that is a well known catalog company.

Herb Farm– Some smaller or locally owned farms specialize in herbs or culinary plants for restaurants, farmer’s markets or to use and sell at their own grocery stores. In recent years, Lavender Farms have popped up in our state. If you keep your eyes on nature activities or events via Facebook events or nature center newsletters then you should find an herb farm in your area.

Hydroponics Farm–  Hydroponics is a subset of hydroculture, which is a method of growing plants without soil by using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent. Terrestrial plants may be grown with only their roots exposed to the mineral solution, or the roots may be supported by an inert medium, such as perlite or gravel. Wikipedia

Maple Syrup Farm– A maple syrup production farm is called a “sugarbush” or “sugarwood”. Sap is often boiled in a “sugarhouse” (also known as a “sugar shack”, “sugar shanty”, or cabane à sucre), a building louvered at the top to vent the steam from the boiling sap. Maples are usually tapped beginning at 30 to 40 years of age. Wikipedia  End of February or early March are usually a good time to seek our a Maple Syrup Festival or event in the midwest.

Mushroom Farm– I recently learned that in our state is a farm started by a young boy! We are planning to learn how you can grow mushrooms indoors and outdoors when we visit a mushroom farm or two!

Native Plant Nursery– Trees, shrubs, and perennials are available. Our plants are of local genotype, nursery propagated, and never dug from the wild. Native plant seed is also available.

Organic Farms

Pumpkin Farm

Soil and Water Conservation– We visited our local soil and water conservation district office to learn about different types of maps from watershed maps to soil types.

Sugar Beet or Sugar Cane Factory– Some states process sugar which means you might be able to tour their factory or processing center.

State or National Forest– These locations are usually under protection to conserve and allow native species to grow and populate. If you check with your local natural resources or forestry department you might be able to catch a class or tour of a local forest.

Vermicompost Farm or Earthworm Farm -Vermiculture is the process of garden composting using worms. … The worms consume the decaying organic material and then flush it out of their system in what is referred to as ‘castings’ or ‘worm manure.’ The worm castings are nutrient rich. Vermiculture allows a grower to create organically rich compost year round.

 

What Botany field trip locations do you plan on visiting this year?