Barefoot University Arlington – Opal’s Farm Field Trip – Fort Worth 11/15@10:00am

• Event date:
  November 15, 2024 at 10:00 AM
• Event end:
  November 15, 2024 at 12:00 PM
• Size
  30

THIS IS A PRIVATE EVENT ORGANIZED FOR BAREFOOT UNIVERSITY ARLINGTON. Each person ages 4+ in attendance must have a ticket.
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Take a field trip at Opal’s Farm, founded by community activist Opal Lee, a retired teacher and activist nicknamed the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” for her success in lobbying to make the Texas holiday recognized nationwide. For her work, Ms. Opal was also nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor. Part of her legacy extends to education through her unique farm located in the Trinity River banks, which serve the local community, and teaches visitors of all ages about farming and ecology.

This field trip is developed by educators to support Texas state curriculum requirements (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS), and it takes place on the five-acre urban farm east of Fort Worth downtown, on rich, fertile bottom land near river. It is appropriate for all ages.

Key questions answered in this field trips includes “Where does our food come from before we buy it in the grocery store?” and “What does it take to grow the food that we eat every day?” The tailored field trips answer these questions with hands-on experiences on the farm. Groups taste, feel, hear, and see their way through a diverse food ecosystem, exploring soil environments, pollinators, gardening, food processing, and many other topics.

PLEASE NOTE: The restroom facilities onsite are limited to one portable toilet. Most groups are able to accommodate this by planning accordingly, but we want to make sure organizers are aware of this early in the process.

Topic Areas for This Field Trip

Pollinator exploration

Learn about the important role pollinators play on the farm and all other environments. Identify common pollinators and learn basic plant and flower parts by visiting the farm’s bee family and engaging in fun arts and craft activities.

Exploring a farm ecosystem

Explore the living and nonliving aspects of a farm. Compare a healthy diverse farm ecosystem to other environments. Learn about practices on a healthy farm that contribute to healthier humans, healthier environments, and resilience in the face of a changing climate.

Games to reinforce learning

Games that burn energy, build teamwork, and reinforce concepts learned on the farm. Most of the time these games come at the beginning and end of the field trip.

Fighting food insecurity (Older Children and Adults)

Learn about local communities that struggle with food insecurity and movements that act to alleviate these issues. Explore how the farm aids in fighting food insecurity through our food production, community education,  and relationships with local food banks and farmers markets.

About the farm

Opal’s Farm is dedicated to providing farm-fresh, nutritious food in the neighborhood that has been federally declared a food desert. It leverages organic farming practices, and resides on land owned by the Tarrant County Water District. Unity Unlimited, the nonprofit behind Opal’s arm also seeks to create jobs, provide training, and bring a spirit of entrepreneurship and self-reliance back to the local community. In particular, it works with the incarcerated to offer them a chance to re-enter society. Opal’s Farm is also creating community plots that can be leased to those interested in ongoing participation and education.

Interested in learning more about the farm’s history and work in the community? Tour the farm of the Grandmother of Juneteenth.

Pricing

Location