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Spence Farm

Fairbury, IL.

& Spence Farm Foundation

The Latest News

We are very excited about the latest project that is now underway...bringing 5th graders from our local schools to the farm.

In May of 2007 we met with curriculum and school placement experts, Neil Clark and Michael Spence, to begin the process of figuring out what our local teachers need and what our traditional farm setting and educational Foundation can provide. This probably sounds much easier than it really is. Each state has its own special requirements for teachers to teach the children in our public schools.

Therefore, we turned to our local teachers for their input also. Cheryl Robey from Washington School in Pontiac, Judy Gray from Prairie Central’s Upper Elementary, and Sara Hostetter from the library of Washington School in Pontiac, have been instrumental in giving us valuable insights as to what they need in their classrooms in order to meet state requirements. And, after a few meetings and lots of emails, we have come up with a plan.

In the fall of 2008 we will implement a program where 5th grade students will be welcomed to the farm for a few hours of intensive on-sight learning. They will have a workbook to answer questions, jot notes or draw pictures. And, they’ll be able to participate in some hands-on projects.

Going from their classroom to the 1860’s Schoolhouse, to the prairie, to the 1905 Little House, will hopefully inspire them to learn some important facts in an exciting outdoor and historic environment. We hope this pilot project in 2008 will lead us to be able to include more students and home school children in 2009.

We wish to thank Neil, Michael, and all the teachers for donating their time and expertise to this enriching program.

Would you like to be involved somehow? We could use help with all aspects of the project including making copies to helping set up learning stations. We could also use some assistance with the funding for this program. If you would like to help somehow or would like to donate to this project, please contact us. We would love to have you be a partner in bringing the kids to the farm!

5th Graders at the Farm

Heartfelt Thanks!

We wish we had enough room to list all of the names of everyone who volunteer for our programs, projects, and events. But, we hope our more than 100 volunteers will understand if we just simply say...

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Volunteers help with everything from painting the schoolhouse, to assisting with programs, to putting out flyers and folding mailings. And, every job done is so important to making the Foundation reach its educational goals. We hope you have as much fun as we did. Thanks again to you all!

Spence Farm Foundation...

Is a 501(c )(3), not-for-profit organization run solely on the shoulders of a group of dedicated volunteers. Our volunteer Board of Directors, consisting of nine individuals, make the important decisions that help us to provide exciting educational opportunities for everyone who comes to the farm.

Thank you to the Board for all their hard work in 2007. We are looking forward to an every increasing array of wonderful events and programs in 2008. We hope everyone will join us!

For more info on SFF Click Here.

Children’s Games in the Schoolhouse