Local Education Programs
School Tours ~ Community
Education Tours ~ Workshops ~
Service Learning Experiences
Our Local Education Program promotes Christian responses to hungry people in ways that do not create dependency. By educating school-age children, community groups, and churches of the plight of the poor and the broader issues of global hunger and poverty WHRI seeks to create an awareness of the problem of hunger in Central Texas and throughout the world. We believe that the insulation of our affluent society keeps us from understanding the overwhelming prevalence of this problem locally and worldwide. Educating children and youth is crucial to helping our society to become prudent consumers of our valuable natural resources.
For more information, please contact
localeducation@worldhungerrelief.org
School Tours:
Interactive Tours Tailored to Your Students' Developmental Levels and Interests
For Younger Students: Investigative Learning
Animals:
- Discussing and observing characteristics of goats, cows, rabbits, chickens, and worms
- Feeling fur of different animals
Plants and Seeds:
- Identifying plants, stages of growth, and needs of plants
- Comparing different seeds
- Discussing vegetables and food production
- Picking and tasting vegetables from the garden
Food from animals and plants:
- Discussing milk production from goats - observe a goat being milked when possible
- Picking and tasting vegetables from the garden
- Discussing and smelling various herbs
For Older Students: Exploratory Learning
Animals and Plants:
- Discussing and observing characteristics, physiology, and function of farm animals
- Exploring relatedness and interdependence of animals on the farm
- Observing a goat being milked (when possible)
Systems and Cycles:
- Identifying stages of plant and animal growth and needs of the earth in maintaining those systems
- Comparing ecosystems and environmental conservation solutions such as composting
- Discussing cycles of growth, geological formation, weather, and climate
Food and Hunger Issues:
- Explore issues of nutrition and health as they relate to food production and access
- Discuss implications of agriculture, food, and relevant issues of social and economic justice
- Discuss the difference between relief efforts and development work
WHRI has tours tailored to meet the TEKS requirements for grades 1-6 and can customize farm visits to fit the curriculum, TEKS requirements, or learning objectives of any grade. We encourage visitors to consult the staff at WHRI before your visit and plan your farm experience; this can include service projects, meaningful work experiences and pre/post visit interactions.
To get a better idea of what our school tours involve please visit our Education Resources page and download the grade appropriate tour curriculum. You will also be able to find links to additional educational resources that can help you and your students further explore gardens, food, compost and much more!
Community Education Tours
Geared towards families, civic organizations and faith communities our Community Education Tours include information on the following topics:
- Agriculture and the environment
- Lifestyles and their impact on the environment
- Life in developing countries
- Working models of principles taught in school science classes
- Nutrition
- Gardening - with an emphasis on organic and sustainable food production
- Composting and conservation of resources
- Rabbits, goats, and chickens
- Poverty and hunger
- Relief and development efforts
- Stewardship
All our tours can be geared towards a particular topic of focus that interests your group and would make your visit to WHRI more valuable so don't hesitate to ask.
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Workshops
We offer periodic workshops on a wide variety of topics connected to our work here on the farm. These range from cheese making, to composting, to organic pest-management. Keep an eye on the frontpage of our website for upcoming dates and availability.
Gardening Workshop Series - Grow better vegetables and gain gardening knowledge
This workshop will take place at the farm on two consecutive Saturday mornings. The first week the you will learn the basics of gardening in Plants: From Seed to Harvest. After that you delve into the mysterious world of dirt in Soils: Get the Most out of Your Dirt. The second Saturday will start off with Composting: From Table Scraps to Top Soil followed by a discussion of weeds, disease and insects in Pest Management: Admit You have a Problem.
Saturday, February 21st, 2009 8:00am - 12:00pm - FULL
Saturday, February 28th, 2009 8:00am - 12:00pm - FULL
Register online with Texas State Technical College.
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Service Learning Experiences: A Global Poverty Simulation Program for Youth and Adults
Educating Participants and Inspiring Active Responses
to Issues of Global Hunger and Poverty
"An estimated 1.02 billion people in the world go hungry. Each year, 3 million under-five children die because they are undernourished." (World Bank Group 2008)
There is enough food in the world to feed everyone, so why are people hungry?
This is an example of the type of probing question asked as a part of the Service Learning experience. Our enthusiastic staff is committed to educating participants about the causes and issues related to global hunger. These intersecting topics include poverty, issues affecting women and children, access to clean water, rural living, forced labor, global hunger awareness, and the impact of our lifestyle choices on our global neighbors.
More than just sitting and listening, participants learn through games, videos, Bible studies, skits and engaging educational activities. They will also participate in the daily labor faced by struggling families in order to better understand what life is like for the millions of hungry people around the world. The format of the Service Learning program is designed for either an 8-hour experience, or a more comprehensive 24-hour overnight experience. Both programs can be modified to fit your group’s area of interest within the goals and objectives of the program.
This experiential program is ideal for: 
- Church youth groups
- Adult church groups
- Groups involved in short/long term mission trips
- Youth clubs
- Civic and community organizations
- College clubs and organizations
- Families
Program Costs :
8 hr. Experience $25/person
24 hr.Experience $50/person
Planning a multi-day or week-long trip? We can do that to?
Groups may extend their experience for $10/person per day
Sample Activities:
13 cent Breakfast
Participants wrestle with the choices people in poverty are forced to make
when buying food with limited resources.
World Map Activity
This activity visually and tangibly illustrates the distribution of population
and resources around the world using our giant outdoor world map.
Hunger Meal
Participants engage the issue of hunger through an interactive meal that
represents the meals eaten worldwide and the gap between rich and poor.
Dinner on the Other Side
Participants prepare and eat an entire meal simulating developing world
conditions, harvesting vegetables, carrying water, harvesting wood for a
fire and slaughtering a chicken if they choose to eat meat.
Before You Come:
Skip at least one meal prior to your arrival. Food will be available to you throughout the weekend, but it is important as part of our opening activities. Bring one change of clothing (that can get dirty), sleeping bag, and hygiene items in one small backpack. No cell phones or electronic devices, please!
More Information:
For more details, sample schedules and registration forms please download the appropriate information packet. All documents are in PDF format.
Faith-Based Groups:
8-hour Experience Packet
24-hour or Longer Experience Packet
Community Groups:
8-hour Experience Packet
24-hour or Longer Experience Packet
To register or discuss, please contact
localeducation@worldhungerrelief.org
or 254-799-5611
