By Jamie Martin
Around 2,200 students from across 19 states and Alberta, Canada joined a live Virtual Farm Trip to learn about apple production and orchard management. The event took place on May 27 and featured Full Circus Farm in Pine Plains, New York.
The virtual session was part of the “Better by the Bushel” educational series. It was organized by New York apple growers in collaboration with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and New York Agriculture in the Classroom to provide students with direct exposure to farming practices.
Farmers Mark Stonehill and Miriam Goler led the session and explained how apple trees are grown and cared for. Students observed real-life orchard operations and learned about the science behind tree growth and maintenance.
“Mark and I truly enjoy the educational aspect of our work,” said Goler. “This Virtual Farm Trip series is an amazing opportunity to share our passion, inform and spark curiosity well beyond our farm.”
The tour highlighted traditional and modern farming techniques. A key feature was the use of horses for farm work, along with a grafting demonstration that showed how new apple varieties are developed. Students also gained knowledge about planning, innovation, and sustainability in agriculture.
The session was held live on Zoom and included interactive discussions. It was also broadcast online and recorded for later viewing, making it accessible for students and teachers.
The final session in the series will take place on June 4 and will feature Cahoon Farms. This session will focus on how apples are processed into products like slices and applesauce.
Teachers can register for the upcoming session at https://virtualfarmtrips.com/live-trips/ and will receive access to recordings after the event. The initiative is supported by funding from New York to apple growers through a state-administered marketing program.
Photo Credit: virtual-apple
Categories: National