Community Programs
Community Programs are the heart-warming hub of the Farm. We have a variety of opportunities for people of all backgrounds and abilities to participate in Farm life. Fostering social inclusion and honing work skills, our programs provide a blend of connection and personal growth.
The Farm supports social inclusion by delivering a range of community programs that develop self-esteem, engage participants in work and provide connection. With time spent in our gardens and with animals, program participants cultivate skills that last a lifetime and build bonds between other participants, staff, visitors and volunteers. Our team is dedicated to supporting participants to experience life on a working community farm in a way that works for them.
Testimonial
“We thank the team at Collingwood Children's Farm for hosting our group of children with vision loss over the school holidays. The three hours flew by as the kids experienced a range of engaging activities; from drinking liquid from a Pig Face plant during a Sensory Garden Tour, to patting long-haired Sunny the guinea pig, cuddling placid goats, meeting lambs and working as farmers to clean out the horses’ stables and re-make their beds. It was also the little extras the team did to make the day a success, like providing our group with a private space to have a picnic in beforehand, giving a girl a peacock feather as an award for overcoming her fear to pat an animal, and clearing out two stables of manure for our kids who wanted to participate in the farm job but had sensory aversions.’
— Program Manager, Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria
Our Community Programs
Seeding Skills
(NDIS Facilitator)
Learn to connect
Seeding Skills supports the progressive development of social and work-related skills in group and individual participants of all abilities.
Our Community Programs team builds relationships with participants and their support persons to provide tailored and suitable activities, jobs and experiences linked to the NDIS category: ‘Increased Social and Community Participation’.
This program is designed to be progressive for participants, allowing them to continue to develop and grow over a number of weeks through repetition and integration of new skills. The Farm provides an inclusive and supportive space by engaging, guiding and connecting participants with the Farm and its community.
Please note that participants must be at least 18 years old to join Seeding Skills. The Farm does not provide 1:1 support, goal setting and tracking or certified vocational training. This program welcomes individuals with support workers, as well as small groups of up to 4 or 8 participants.
Pricing starts at $17.50 + GST per group/hour.
Seeding Skills is not open for individual applications at present.
-
gain access to our Farm venue and facilities
nurture a sense of purpose through hands-on participation via activities such as general garden upkeep, caring for animals and their hygiene, and repairing and maintaining farm tools and facilities
experience a workplace environment in a farm setting
communicate, cooperate and work within a team
develop essential social and interpersonal skills
build self-confidence and independence
engage in rewarding work, acquire new skills and learn to overcome challenges
gradually master tasks and gain more responsibilities and autonomy.
Beyond Books
(Student Program)
Learn to grow
Beyond Books goes beyond traditional classroom learning by providing students with alternative educational experiences in a unique outdoor environment.
This program supports students to develop resilience through farm-related activities, foster a deeper connection with nature, connect and engage with diverse community members outside of their circles, and develop practical skills across animal husbandry, horticulture and maintenance to equip students for their future.
Please note that students must be at least 10 years old to join Beyond Books, with a maximum of 12 students to enable an educator-to-student ratio of 1:6.
Pricing starts at $95 + GST per group/session, with a maximum of 12 students per group.
Beyond Books is not open for individual applications at present.
-
gain exposure to an unconventional workplace through active participation
develop resilience through problem-solving, project collaboration and teamwork
build resilience by engaging in tasks you may not have tried before or necessarily enjoy, to develop perseverance and adaptability
cultivate a sense of connection and care for the environment under a regenerative agriculture approach, prioritising the health and wellbeing of the land and animals above all else
foster a sense of connection to food sources and sustainable agriculture within an urban setting
learn about farm operations and maintenance
expand your understanding of alternative employment pathways and/or create a sense of exploration and curiosity
gain insights into the value of community participation and develop an understanding of the positive impact you can make on the community.
Farm Club
(Social Program)
Learn your way
Farm Club creates a tailored experience for your group at the Farm; a space of sanctuary, harnessing the therapeutic benefits of nature, animal interactions, physical activity, mindfulness and social engagement.
We play host to groups and events of all shapes, sizes and abilities—working with you to facilitate how your time spent here is structured.
We’re ready to accommodate activities, workshops and gatherings in and outdoors. The opportunities include, but are not limited to: Farmer-led nature walks and sensory tours, animal-engagement sessions, cooking classes in our commercial kitchen, craft circles in our heritage Farmhouse, yoga in green open spaces, and inspiration and landscapes for your painting or photography classes.
Please reach out to our team via the Expression of Interest form for Farm Club pricing.
-
skillshare in a relaxed educational environment
connect your group to acres of green space, gardens, waterways and bushland
facilitate engagement with farm animals
foster a sense of community in your group by joining visitors, farmers and volunteers in a shared space
access heritage farmlands and historic buildings in ways that best fit your group.
Young Farmers Program
The Young Farmers Program is one of our longest-running programs.
Young Farmers is a hands-on experience for children aged 8 to 16 years old to develop work and life skills through participating in activities such as horticulture, landcare, animal husbandry, art projects, woodwork and maintenance, as well as assisting the Farmers with daily chores.
Please note that there are no longer any horse riding or horse-related animal husbandry activities in this program.
Program Requirements:
must reside in the City of Yarra
must be 8 to 16 years old.
Timetable:
Saturday or Sunday program running three weekends a month during Victorian school terms.
between 9.30am-2.30pm.
If your child would like to be considered for this program, please complete the Expression of Interest form below (children must be at least 7 years and 9 months old to go on the wait list).
The Young Farmers Program is free for children who meet the program requirements.