Green Connect regularly opens its doors to the public to show people how a working permaculture farm operates. Since kicking off in 2019, the monthly Farm Tour for Families has become a fun outdoor activity for kids in the Illawarra. Here are three reasons to bring the kids for a visit to the farm. 

Reason 1: Meeting farm animals

Green Connect is an 11-acre farm in the middle of urban Warrawong, south of Wollongong. The most popular stop of the tour is when kids get to meet the free-range pigs, sheep, goats and chickens. They are an essential part of farm life. As well as being cute, these animals help recycle green waste and produce food. If you know a child who’s a real animal lover, you can even grow the flock by donating a chicken in their name. 

Children and pigs farm activity

Reason 2: Playing in the mud

Kids love exploring the different areas of the farm. They can climb hills, hide behind trees and no one is going to tell them off for being too noisy. If you visit after a good rain, there will be mud galore. Pack gumboots and some spare clothes and relax while they have the time of their life.

We love seeing kids connect with nature through play. Over the next 12 months Green Connect will be building a dedicated play space on the farm where we’ll run hands-on activities so that kids can learn where their food comes from and get involved in messy play.

kid on tour at farm

 

Reason 3: Eating fresh food

The farm produces fruit, vegetables, eggs, honey and free-range meat which is sold back to the local community through subscription veggie-boxes and meat packs. As they walk through the food forest and market garden, kids can taste the produce and learn how it is grown. They’ll learn what’s in season right now, and everyone will get a seed to take home and plant for themselves. We hope this special farm activity will spark a lifelong interest in growing food for kids in the Illawarra.

Crooked organic carrots from farm

 

The next Farm Tour for Families is on February 22. The cost is $14.00 per person and is free for kids under 3yrs. Bookings are essential. https://green-connect.com.au/product/farm-tour-for-families/.

Private tours are also available for your family, scout group, home school or kid’s party. Email [email protected] to find out more.