Bluffton University Offers Free Agricultural and Environmental Field Trips
Bluffton University, 1 University Drive
Media Release
Schools and youth organizations can explore the connections between farming, food, and the environment through free, hands-on educational field trips offered by Bluffton University this fall and spring.
Through Farm, Environment, and Agriculture School Trips (FEAST), Bluffton University provides fully funded visits to the Bluffton University Nature Preserve and Little Riley Creek Farm in Bluffton. These programs, designed for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 and other community groups, offer opportunities to learn about:
- Local agriculture
- Environmental stewardship
- Soil health
- Food systems
through real-world experiences.
Program Customization:
Schools and groups can choose to visit one or both locations, with programming tailored to:
- Educational goals
- State learning standards
- Group size
- Students' ages
Visits can be scheduled to fit various schedules, from single-location stops to multi-program days or separate visits.
Field Trip Benefits:
- Free of charge: All field trip costs, including transportation, educational materials, and food, are covered.
- Reimbursement: Schools using their own buses will be reimbursed for travel expenses.
- Local Focus: Participants can arrange a lunch or snack featuring locally grown ingredients.
- Hands-on Learning: Each visit accommodates up to 40 students for optimal exploration, questioning, and engagement.
Locations and Activities:
- Bluffton University Nature Preserve: Investigate ecosystems and relationships between living things and their environment.
- Little Riley Creek Farm: Explore local food production, organic growing practices, soil health, and the role of farms in their communities.
Program Availability:
Fall field trips are available through November 2026, with additional opportunities planned for March through May 2027.
Contact:
For more information or to reserve a field trip, contact Kathy Dickson, senior director of advancement and special projects at Bluffton University, at [EMAIL_REDACTED].
Supporting Partners:
FEAST is supported by the Stinner Endowment through The Ohio State University’s Agroecosystem Management Program. Program planning is supported by a regional committee including:
- Bluffton University
- Ohio State University Extension
- The Nature Conservancy
- Little Riley Creek Farm
- Local farmers' markets