Rethinking the Farm – A Visit to Second Grade

Last week, second graders at Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School got a chance to explore a new way of thinking about farming.

When asked to describe a farm, their answers came fast and full of energy: “Barns!” one shouted. “That’s where the animals live!” another added. The image in their minds was clear: wide open fields, tractors, and lots of animals.

For most, the idea of a farm was firmly planted in a rural landscape—something far from home. So when asked if they thought a farm might exist in their neighborhood, most heads shook no.

That’s when we got to turn their idea of farming on its head.

Two slides from the presentation that show the comparison of what kids might think a farm looks like to what an Area 2 Farm looks like.

Their eyes widened with wonder when they heard about how Area 2 Farms operates. The concept of farming in a building just like the ones they pass every day was completely new, and completely fascinating. Seeing real images of a farm that looks more like a warehouse than a pasture sparked wide-eyed curiosity and plenty of questions.

One of the most memorable moments came during the discussion about Area 2 Farms’ location. "Do you think the farm is close by or far away?" we asked the group. While most students assumed it must be miles away, one sharp student proudly declared, "I knew you were close by, because you said Area 2 Farms is a local farm!" The whole class gasped when they realized that our Arlington, VA farm was just a five-minute drive from their school.

After the lesson, students tried lemon balm grown right down the street at Area 2 Farms.

Visits like this help expand the idea of what farming can look like in urban communities. They also help students connect the food they eat to the places it grows, especially when those places are right in their own backyard. By challenging assumptions and introducing new possibilities, experiences like this plant the seeds for a broader, more inclusive view of agriculture in the future.

Want to visit the farm? Learn more about school group tours here!

Area 2 Farms for Locals

Your food should be equally accessible and nutritious. Which is where we come in. We’re Area 2 Farms, we grow organic produce, deliver it to your door weekly, and operate all within 10 miles of you.