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| FROM A GIRLS' SCHOOL TO A WORKING FARM, WE'VE HAD QUITE A JOURNEY |
Sprout Creek Farm's story begins in Connecticut, at an independent school for girls. There in 1982, three high school teachers, concerned about their students' narrow horizons and somewhat self-centered dreams for the future, searched for an experience that would expand the girls' values and create responsibility.
A farm seemed to be the perfect vehicle. The school campus was built on the site of a turn-of-the-century farm, and one or two of the old barns remained. A small army of volunteers rebuilt, renovated, and reconstructed buildings, the first animals were gifts from friends, and six months after the idea was formulated, the farm was up and running.
In 1987, the farm administrators were approached by the estate of Elise Kinkead, a longtime Poughkeepsie, NY resident, and after a period of negotiation, Miss Kinkead's Woodford Farm in the town of LaGrange was donated to the Society of the Sacred Heart, to be operated as Sprout Creek Farm.
The enthusiastic response to Sprout Creek's educational offerings was an unanticipated surprise. By 1992, every available slot on the program calendar was filled with school classes, Brownie and Girl Scout troops, and other groups. Ongoing renovations made it possible to develop more comprehensive programs which could better complement school curriculums.
Today, some 2,500 children visit Sprout Creek during each school year, and our calendar is reserved a full year in advance. We also offer afterschool, weekend, and summer programs, and with more space and personnel, we feel certain we could double our total enrollment.
Over the years, our understanding of our mission has developed and strengthened as well. Making farming available to children of all ages has become a stronger focus in our programming. Recognizing that children are disconnected from their agricultural heritage, even from the sources of their food, we have placed more emphasis on "doing" the farming with them. We believe children will protect each other and our Earth if they are helped to appreciate it – something we witness every day at Sprout Creek Farm.
In 2011 Sprout Creek Farm, Inc. became a 501c3 incorporated, not-for-profit organization.
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