Farm Hands International k12 Connection Program

Common Core–Aligned, Louisiana Focused

As a self-taught farmer, lifelong learner, and advocate for accessible education, Ole Mack Ronald founded the Farm to K12 Connection to bridge classroom learning with real-world agricultural experiences. This program offers students and teachers an all-inclusive, customizable farm-based learning journey that can be delivered on-site, virtually, or through a hybrid model, depending on the needs of each school or district.

At Farm Hands International, schools have the flexibility to design a “Day at the Farm” that aligns directly with Louisiana’s Common Core State Standards across multiple subject areas. Instruction is intentionally crafted to support cross-curricular integration, including:

Science (LSSTS & NGSS-Aligned)
Mathematics
English Language Arts
Social Studies

Common CorE-Aligned Subjects

Science

Mathematics

Plant and animal life cycles, ecosystems, weather patterns, food webs, agricultural technology, and environmental sustainability

Mathematics

Measurement, ratios, data collection, graphing, estimation, and real-world problem solving

English Language Arts

Informational text analysis, procedural writing, observation-based note-taking, vocabulary development, and oral communication

Social Studies

English Language Arts

Cultural traditions in farming, community economics, environmental stewardship, and global food systems

APPLIED LEARNING

The Farm to K12 Connection provides a unique opportunity for students to apply what they learn, collaborate, think critically, and explore agriculture as a pathway to health, sustainability, innovation, and community leadership, while aligning with the Common Core State Standards.

Teacher Packet with worksheets, rubrics, and handouts
A digital or printable Field Trip Workbook for students
Scaffolds for IEP/504, gifted, and multilingual learners are available

EXAMPLE: 5th Grade Field Trip Lesson

Theme:

Learning Objectives

Standards: Ecosystems, Food Chains, and Sustainable Farming

Science: LSSS 5-LS2-1 (Matter in ecosystems), 5-ESS3-1 (Human impact & solutions)
ELA: CCSS RI.5.3 (Explain relationships and interactions)
Math: CCSS 5.MD.2 (Measurement & data representation)

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Observe a real ecosystem (garden, animal area, or aquaponics system).
Track energy flow (producer → consumer → decomposer).
Collect simple data on plant height, water pH, or animal feed ratios.
Explain sustainable farming practices support healthy ecosystems.

Activities

Welcome + Safety Briefing (10 min)
Students review farm expectations and discuss what an ecosystem is.
Ecosystem Walk & Observation (30 min)
Students rotate through stations:
- Garden: producers, pollinators
- Aquaponics: water cycle, nitrogen cycle
- Animal Care: consumers, ethical treatment

Science Notebook Activity (20 min)
Students draw a simple food chain based on what they observed.
Math Mini-Task (15 min)
Students measure plant height or scoop animal feed and record data in a chart.
Debrief + Reflection (15 min)
Students explain how farmers protect ecosystems.

Assessment

Activities

Food chain diagram
Data chart
Exit ticket: “One way farming can help the environment is…”