Bowers School Farm Newsletter - April 2023

"We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are."
Bill Watterson

OPEN BARN & VISITOR CENTER HOURS

Farm Kitchen & Store:

Pizza, ice cream and donuts will again be available with some chef prepared grab-n-go items.
Bowers Farm meats available in our store will include: ground beef, burger patties, hot dogs, meat sticks, and jerky.

OPEN BARN

Open Barn returns April 15, 2023

Open Barn begins next month with our Earth Day Celebration! Updated activities and timing are online.

Open Barn will take place Saturdays at 9am-3pm during April 15 - October with the addition of Sundays during the month of May and October. Each month will have a focused theme, new bonus experiences, and a Junior Farmer Pack Program.

Learn More Here

EARTH DAY CELEBRATIONS

There's no place like Earth! Join us for a full weekend celebration of our great planet. Enjoy family-friendly activities, volunteering, and demonstrations
at Bowers School Farm and Johnson Nature Center.

Bowers School Farm - April 15

This Earth Day Open Barn includes special activities with our eco-friendly partners, along with a Service Project in the garden.

Johnson Nature Center - April 16

Be a part of the volunteer team as stewards of the land during the morning work land work. In the afternoon, hikes and fishing are offered.

More info here

Thank you to our partners!

HARVEST CLUB

Share in the bounty of our gardens
with our NEW Harvest Club

We are pleased to introduce a brand new program. Harvest Club is a mash up of a traditional CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and a modern subscription plan as a great way to source fresh and local produce for your family while also supporting Bowers School Farm.

Purchase your Harvest Club today!
Limited availability.

More Info Here

MICHIGAN NATIVE PLANT SALE

Purchase Native Plants today!

Help us support our local ecosystems with native plants in your garden this year! Join Bowers School Farm and East Michigan Native Plants for our 2023 Michigan Native Plant Sale. Pre-order your plants before May 12 for the best selection. Pick-up is on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 9am - 3 pm during Open Barn. Proceeds from the sale will support the Master Gardeners of Oakland County who maintain our horticultural gardens near the Visitor Center.

More Info Here

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Friday Farm Tours

Each season at Bowers School Farm offers a different farm tour experience! A friendly and knowledgeable farm guide leads our farm tours. Take a wagon ride through our pastures, experience the gardens, tour our production produce spaces, and get hands-on with our animals! *Discounted member pricing.

Chicks, Seeds & Me

Parents and/or caregivers are invited to explore the farm with their child! Have you ever wondered how chicks grow? Or how our seeds turn into food? Meet our baby chicks and discover how our farmers support the chicks as they grow!

More Information Here

SUMMER CAMP

Support Camp! We are in the height of volunteer and staff recruitment.

VOLUNTEER STEWARDS PROGRAM

Each summer, Camp recruits talented and highly motivated young adults, ages 14-18 to serve as Steward volunteers. Earn 75 hours of community service while spending time outdoors, making friends, and building leadership skills. Steward application information is here.

STAFF FOR CAMP

Folks ages 18 and older can apply to work at camp. View open positions here.

ANIMAL UPDATES

The farm has two new baby calves. Ginny born the red and white bull calf and Bella born the all black heifer calf. You will be able to view them at the farm this spring.

PRIVATE EVENTS

OPEN BARN RENTALS

Looking for a special place to host a birthday party or a small group this spring? Look no further than Bowers School Farm. Rentals are available on Saturdays April-October. Meet family and friends to wander the farm, engage with the animals, and take a wagon ride during our Open Barn! Then enter your private room to mingle, eat, and celebrate!

Information Here

FARM RECIPE FEATURE

Sauteed Tender Kale and Other Spring Greens

Enjoy some cool weather vegetables with a warm flair! Check out our new Recipes website page.

Recipe Here

BOWERS ACADEMY - Tree-Plenish Program

Join Bowers Academy on their eco-mission to improve the land and farm as a whole. Purchase seedlings that will planted at the farm.

Details Here

SPRING HOME ACTVITY

Signs of Spring

It’s been a long time coming, but the signs of Spring are all around us. Step outside and take a gander! After winter’s coop-up, head outside and practice “slow-looking.” On your Spring “saunter” find that first tulip, hyacinth or daffodil sprout just breaking through the crusty soil. Look for buds on the trees and listen for birds that have returned. If you are super industrious, take a bag with you to gather the detritus that winter’s winds have blown here and there.
Breathe deep and clear the cobwebs!

Here at Bowers Farm, the Winter babies are growing like weeds and learning their places at the farm. We are patiently awaiting the arrival of dairy goat kids and a donkey foal. Baby chicks will make their debut in May. The garden spaces are sprouting, budding, and growing. We love to see the green shoots that remind us of the new life all around us. Welcome SPRING! It’s great to have you back.

WORK AT BOWERS