The Environmental Education Programs at Elkus Ranch are aligned with California's Science Content Standards and provide hands on opportunities to learn about the production of food and fiber, the inter-relationships of plants and animals in their natural habitats and the importance of environmental stewardship.
While planting seedlings in the greenhouse, students learn about the function of roots, stems and leaves. In the garden they may taste flowers, identify pollinators and learn about seed dispersal and composting.
While holding a chicken, feeding a goat, or exploring our bone and fossil collections, students learn about adaptations, predator/prey relationships and food chains.
Demonstrations of dying, carding and spinning wool encourage students to consider where their clothing comes from.
We also offer a nutrition program "Lunch at the Ranch" which leads children into the garden to harvest fresh produce and then to our commercial kitchen to prepare an entire meal. For more information please go to this page: http://cesanmateo.ucdavis.edu/Custom_Program/LUNCH_AT_THE_RANCH.htm
Programs Serving Students with Special Needs
Elkus Ranch is committed to providing a ranch experience for all children and has areas designed to accommodate children and youth with special needs. Our Dean Trail leads visually impaired children with the help of a guide rope to explore the natural habitat surrounding the ranch. Our sensory garden contains a variety of plants that can be experienced through their scent, taste and texture. All ranch facilities are wheelchair accessible. Horticultural Therapy and Workability Programs visit Elkus Ranch regularly.
These students start seedlings for our school programs, collect and clean eggs, and water our gardens to keep everything green and growing, while developing important life and work skills.
To learn more about our programs or to make a reservation, please contact Leslie Jensen, Program Coordinator, at (650)712-3151 or email us at elkusranch@ucdavis.edu.
Note: Our environmental science educator is available to work with teachers to customize programs to meet the needs/interests of their students and can provide instructional materials to use in the classroom prior to and after a ranch visit.
Click here for a copy of our brochure to print out
We offer both day and overnight educational programs.
Pricing:
- Pre-K - 2 hour program, $5.00 per person, no charge for teachers
- K-12 - 3 hour day program $7.00 per student
- Lunch at the Ranch - 2-8th grades - $10 per child
- Overnight programs - $25.00 per student
- Teacher Information
* CALIFORNIA STATE STANDARDS BY GRADE
* California Content Standards by Grade in Spanish
* PROGRAM DESCRIPTION BY GRADE
* TEACHER VOCABULARY LIST
* PRE-VISIT CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
* Field Trip Chaperone Information
* Handout to Parents - About your child's field trip
* Elkus Ranch Program Fee Schedule
* Caring for your Elkus Ranch Pea Seedling
- Information for Parents and Chaperones
* Elkus Parent Letters Spanish
* Elkus Ranch Field Trip Evaluation for Parent Chaparones
- Links
Tick information for parents and teachers.
California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom
California Farm Bureau Federation
Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Resources
California School Garden Network
For more information on any of our programs please contact Leslie Jensen at elkusranch@ucdavis.edu or (650)712-3151
Photos courtesy of Katherine Jones copyright 2006
Clipart copyright Microsoft Corporation