Pacific Crest Farm
Connecting Students to Nature and Sustainable Food Production on Vashon Island.
Located on Vashon Island, Pacific Crest Farm is an integral part of our school community. Students gain hands-on experience working the land, studying natural systems, and exploring the basics of sustainable food production—all while connecting their classroom lessons to real-life experiences.
Primary Students & Families
Primary students and their families discover the farm together at all-school events in the Fall and Spring and by volunteering for weekend Farm work parties. Our youngest children soak up a love for this beautiful place, its wild and domesticated plants & animals and our farmers who take care of them.The older Primary students visit the Farm with their teacher in each of the seasons, thus beginning the process of going out to explore the world beyond the classroom, which becomes an essential part of their elementary experience.
Elementary
As students move to Elementary their involvement with the Farm becomes more frequent and is focused on connecting hands on work and discovery to the natural sciences and basic economics of produce markets. The Farm, with its roadside farm stand and presence at the weekly farmers market, has become a valued member of the Vashon Island community.
For the Elementary student, the Farm serves as a tangible example of the great lessons of fundamental needs and the capacity of human beings’ work with nature. The Farm offers children the chance to participate in activities similar to their ancestors: the working of the earth, the sowing of seeds, weeding, harvesting and the production of food. Novel and urgent questions and investigations are prompted by their direct experiences here. Studies in science and nature are offered in abundance by trips to the Farm.
Adolescence Outdoors
Montessori felt that it was essential for adolescents to spend time in a natural setting, with fresh air, fresh food, and the opportunity to make a difference in their community.
In nature, the adolescent can both push themselves physically and find some tranquility and time for self-reflection. These are vital needs at a time full of intense social engagement and modern distractions. On the Farm, the Middle school students involve themselves in the meaningful work of producing food for their community, making substantial improvements to the farm’s design, and studying and participating in the economics of sustainable food production. Their sense of belonging grows by working side by side in the fields, improving the buildings at the farm, organizing farm stand markets at our main campus, or preparing pies, cider and full meals for each other with abundant fresh produce during their day trips and overnight stays.
