By Doug Fabbioli
Last week we had a dozen local middle school and high school students here at the farm for The New Ag School’s “Think Outside” program. The base of the program is to give the students some introduction and awareness of the many jobs and careers in agriculture and related fields.
This year we included an equine day. The students were given some safety instructions and then visited a local therapeutic riding facility, Bridal Paths. Here the clients, disabled vets and citizens, interact and connect with the horses in ways that help them handle and, in some cases overcome their individual challenges. The students were able to meet the horses as well as talk with the staff about all the work needed to make this program and facility function. Non-profits have jobs as well.
Other parts of the program included a day at the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum in Sterling where we tended to the apple trees, berries grapes and asparagus that we planted 2 years ago. There was lots of compost mulch, weed removal, pruning and tying up the plants. Here at our farm, we built, filled and planted a large raised bed, started
In addition to the students, we had 4 teacher/mentors for the week as well as 4 different business mentors who led discussions and hands on learning for the program. Having these folks involved is critical to our success. This opens up the idea of a field trip, on the job training, and learning from the experts in the field. Tony Stafford from Fords Fish Shack, Tyler Richards from SkyHound, Amanda, Katie, Grayson, Nancy and Denise, thanks so much for your time, commitment and dedication to helping the next generation.
There is something about learning on the job that is so different from learning in a classroom. Even if the kids are not “working” they get that chance to learn in a hands-on but also safe environment. In my opinion there is little that can substitute for that. I remember working in my grandmothers garden many decades ago and then in my parents. It was part of the process of what needed to be done. I feel a lot of that opportunity is missing in today’s lifestyle for our young folks.
This summer The New Ag School will be partnering with Loudoun County Public Schools to have 2 one-week programs for rising high school freshmen. This will be a pilot program based on what we have already found successful over the past few years. Our goal is to help develop skills and passion in the students so they can be involved with their onsite school gardens and even lead their environmental clubs.
The future is endless for these kids with a base understanding and commitment to plants and leadership. These are our future land owners, winemakers, community leaders, farmers, executives, teachers, scientists, parents, business owners and so much more. I am proud to have the opportunity to work with others to share a bit of what we have learned to make their future roads a little more navigable. We may not have talked wine much this month, but we certainly have built up the base for our flavorful industry. Cheers!
About the Author: Farmer, winemaker, entrepreneur, educator, and leader, Doug Fabbioli has been accelerating the growth and quality of Virginia’s wine industry since 1997. With his wife Colleen, Doug is the owner/operator of Fabbioli Cellars in Leesburg, VA. He is the founder and director of The New Ag School, which focuses on teaching the next generation of farmers and agriculture-related leaders. No wonder they call Doug Fabbioli the Godfather of DC’s Wine Country.