QUIETER WEEKS AHEAD AT STRAFORD ECOLOGICAL CENTER

Summer farm camp ended on August 9 at Stratford Ecological Center on Liberty Road. Once again, the overnight for the 9–13-year-olds, spent in sleeping bags on the lawn, was a winner. Battery powered night lights, issued to the campers, were a beautiful sight in the darkness. The staff never get a lot of sleep during the overnight, but feel the experience for the campers, of sleeping under the stars, is well worth the loss. Campers were up and gathered under the oak tree by 7 am, eager to do morning chores and enjoy a cooked breakfast prepared by volunteers.

The last two weeks of camp were mornings only for 3–5-year-old children. For the first time, parents or chaperons did not stay with the children. With the experience gained from operating our farm school without chaperons, we felt it would work for camp. The children were split into groups of five, with one leader, who remained with them all week. Thanks to plenty of hands-on activities, quieter periods and snacks, the arrangement worked well.

The Children’s Garden has flourished this year and provides wonderful teaching opportunities. Everyone loved that the six-foot-tall, loaded corn stalks, held popcorn rather than sweet corn. Pole beans cleverly wind their way up the stalks for natural support, and various squashes thrive below and provide living mulch. The new semi-circular wire arch, with narrow planter beds on either side and grass underneath, is almost covered with loofa sponge vines and squash, and would provide a perfect shady spot for a child-size picnic table. The Garden Gang have harvested hot peppers, okra, kale, green beans, basil, parsley and lima beans for People in Need in Delaware.

The strawbale shed, built in early 2000, at the east end of the Children’s Garden, has suffered from an invasion of birds through the smallest of holes in the eves. They don’t stay long but leave a lot of calling cards on the children’s tools, wheelbarrows, toy tractors, kitchen stove and dishes. Two farmhands, known as the two Larry’s, agreed to find and block the holes and then remove the content. They lightly hosed the chopped straw/clay/sand and water plaster, rather than power washing, to avoid dissolving them! It looks so much better. The interior will be monitored for intruders before returning the sorted and cleaned content!

The annual Children’s Tea Party, organized by the Stratford Herb Group, took place on August 7. The event was advertised as “geared towards families,” and mothers with babes in arms, toddlers and young children came out in force. With three years’ experience since Covid, the ten herb group women managed the setup, food preparation, and lots of hands-on activities, without any worries. Despite wearing their party dresses, some children wished they could hold a chicken while collecting the eggs, visit the animals after harvesting cucumbers and tomatoes for sandwiches, pick their own flowers and walk in the woods. We wish so too, and perhaps next year they can visit the barn after the Tea Party, if their Moms have enough energy, while the herb ladies are left to clear up!

Some of the farmhands took a break and left for a week of fishing in Canada. There was no shortage of jobs for the rest of the Tuesday crew! Racoons had been into the corn totes, and they needed fixing. The seed drill required clearing of sunflower seeds, and there were clips to smother with peanut butter and attach to the electric fence surrounding the planted seed. The deer like peanut butter but only lick the clips once due to getting shocked, and they don’t return to sample the young sunflowers! The calves have been weaned for some days but were still bawling in the barn and would stay there. The cows could be moved to field 4 later in the day, after ensuring the float valve in the water tank was working properly. Lamb was ready for pick up at DJ’s. The temporary hog fence needed moving. Wasps had made their homes in the gates on the center lane, and it was suggested bee suits might be the order of the day when removing them. And there are many other daily jobs in the life of a working farm.

Our Give to Grow Gala is scheduled for Thursday, August 22 at the Columbus Zoo. Although the ticket deadline has passed, we would welcome your participation in the on-line auction powered by GiveSmart. The range of bidding “activities” rather than “things” is incredible, and we hope you will check it out, register and support us. Thank you!

Looking ahead to September, the first Field Trip guide training is scheduled for September 11. The Messages guides will prepare and start their new-style program in October. Story Time on the Farm continues September 9 and October 14 from 10-11 am. The final Yoga Class on the Farm is scheduled for September 14 at 8 am. Family Farm Chores on the second Saturday of the month from 9:30-11 am. are planned through November. To register for these classes, and find out the times for self-guided exploration, please check the web site. We hope you enjoy the last month of summer.

Pauline Scott is a farm and nature guide at Stratford Ecological Center, 3083 Liberty Road, Delaware. She can be reached on 740 363 2548. Stratford’s web site is www.stratfordecological center.org