Farm Ecology Week August 1-5

Farm Ecology Week 
at Blue Button Farm 
Easton, CT
For Students going into 4, 5 or 6 grade
August 1-5 2016   Time:   9:30 -1:30 
Bring:  Lunch, boots, sunscreen, bug spray, hat, bathing suit, towel 

Topics for this week: 








 Insects: the Beautiful, the Bad and the Beneficial





Chickens, Composting, Companion Plants

The Farm Pond:  Examine and Experiment with Duckweed, the smallest flowering plant in the world!

Earthworms: Nature's recyclers

Ferns, Mosses, Wildflowers, Trees

Vegetables, seeds, germination

Projects to make and take home every day!  If interested or have questions,  please email me! htpryor@ sbcglobal.net  

Thanks, 

Holly 

Peg Loom Class

This is a peg loom!

 It is a 2x4 of pine with holes for wooden dowels to fit in.  Each dowel has a tiny hole.

 Peg Looms can be any size, and you don't have to use all the pegs.  This small loom shows that you can make different designs when you weave.

Here is a purse made on a small peg loom.

String is strung through the hole in the peg and then the peg is placed back in the hole.

We used strips of Fabric around 2 inches wide to make our "rag" rug.

One technique is to fold the fabric in half while you are weaving.  This leaves a more finished side on the front of the rug.

When the weaving reaches the top of the pegs, pull each peg up and replace it in its hole.

Finishing:

To finish the rug it is a good idea to line it up on a tile floor or a plastic mat with a grid.  Place your hand on the loom and gently pull the rug so that you have enough string left to cut the rug from the loom and make fringe.  

Cut the string from the loom and tie the 2 strings from the first peg to the 2 strings from the second peg.  I like to tie a square knot than tie it again ( total of 3 knots)  Continue until all the strings are tied.  Use the grid on your mat to keep the edge of your rug straight. 

Line up the strings so you can cut the fringe the same length. 

Cut fringe desired length.  Do the same for the other side. 

Tuck in ends.  Finished!

Finished Rugs!

Fun with Fleece

"Fun with Fleece" is a workshop for kids going into grades 4-6.  Participants are able to interact with sheep and fiber goats and learn how to prepare their fleece by cleaning, carding, and spinning.  Different techniques such as spool knitting, weaving, and wet felting will be shown. The children will be able to create their own unique fiber art.

We talked about the differences between goats and sheep and looked at their fiber with a magnifying glass.

We also talked about the differences between llamas and alpacas.

We picked through alpaca fiber and washed it. 

Trying to tame the new goat babies!

This little goat quickly became the favorite!

Ron East showed us how sheep are sheared and led us through the process.

We tried hand carding washed Jacob sheep fiber,

but found out the drum carder was much faster and easier.

We made drop spindles out of CD's.

And tried a spinning wheel. 

We simmered cabbage, onions, black walnut, turmeric, and marigolds to make natural dyes. 

We made " not so natural" dyes with Paas Easter egg dye and Kool-aid.

Results!

Wet felting to make sheep.

Results!

Dyed roving used to make beads.

Wet felted beads.

Everyone made a spool knitter.

Wrist warmer!

                                                Idea wall!

Tree weaving

Turtles

                                        Spirit Weaving

Excellent Dream Catcher!

We all opted to spend one afternoon learning about horses and taking a riding lesson!

If your child is interested in taking a class like this or another class on the farm, please email me at htpryor@sbcglobal.net We would like to have another class August 1-5 2016.