Farming the City
Farm Camp, started in 1996 at our rural location, has moved to the city. Creating resilient food systems for the future of food security in our communities will include food production in backyards and on city landscapes. We are excited to present an urban farm program in the heart of downtown South Bend that includes all the characteristics of a rural farm and excites kids and families about food production and animal husbandry.
Farming the City is a day camp program for children 4-14 years old. Children are hands on involved in the everyday activities of a working urban farm. Each day includes farm chores, agriculture lessons, harvesting, and cooking or nature projects. Nutrition and earth stewardship lessons are intrinsic to the experience. Take away projects will bring these lessons home.
Children come from all walks of life and many different surrounding communities to join our summer programs. We welcome all and provide scholarships when needed. Although the lesson plan is the same for each weekly summer session, we are working and learning in a naturally changing environment which makes every week unique.
Our goal is always to follow the child’s excitement and wonder as we visit and learn about the special places on the farm. From the barnyard to the gardens to a very special secret place, it is a week of new and exciting discovery.
Come grow with us this summer.
Bertrand Farm
at Good Shepherd Montessori School
Meet Farm Director Theri Niemier 
Theri Niemier has been teaching and farming in the local community for over twenty years. She founded Bertrand Farm in 1996 and has been farming and teaching ever since. She has a Sociology background, is a certified Permaculture Designer and a Master Canner. She is the recipient of numerous agriculture education project awards and grants. Her farming background and interest in environmental stewardship and health have lead to her specialty in curriculum development for classes and schools. Her most recent work involves partnering with Good Shepherd Montessori School, The Center for Social Concerns, the University of Notre Dame and Indiana University South Bend to bring the farm to the city. Together we can create stronger local food systems for greater community resilience through education and accessibility.
Come grow with us….
SUMMER CAMP SCHEDULE 2019
4 – 6 year olds: | 7 -9 yr olds: | 10 – 12 year olds: |
| Farm Adventure Children will use their 5 senses to discover many special places on the urban farm including the barnyard, vegetable gardens, the orchard and secret garden.(children should be 4 before May 1 for this class) | Discovering Where Our Food Comes From It’s a non-stop immersion into the nature of a working urban farm. Campers will work and harvest in all areas of the farm. | I Can Grow Learn basic farming skills. Campers will work alongside interns in the field and with the livestock. Each day will include field work, harvesting and an interactive food preparation class. Class size is limited to 8. A great class for future Jr counselors. |
| M – TH, 9am -11:30 (11:30 -12 is optional show and tell time with guardians). July 8 - July 29 (4 – 1 week sessions). The cost is $100. per camper, per week | M-TH, 9am -12 noon, July 8 - July 29 (4 – 1 week sessions). $110. per camper, per week | M - TH, 9am – 12 noon. July 8 - 29 (4- 1 week sessions). $110. per camper, per week |
NEW for 13 & 14 year oldsBuilding a Vertical Garden Young teens will learn how to use manual saws and simple electric tools for construction projects. This class will build three takeaway projects from recycled pallets. Finished projects will be gardener friendly and include a garden bench, boot/shoe hangers and a vertical garden box for backdoor herb gardening. No space is too small for a garden. M - TH, 9am – 12 noon. July 8 – July 29 (4 - 1 week sessions). $120 per camper, per week | 8-12 yr oldsExtended Day Option Afternoon time on the farm will include less structured time for children to explore their favorite parts of the farm and indulge in projects of their choice with guidance and supervision. Please pack additional snacks . 12 - 3pm M- TH $90.00 |
*All camp guides are experienced teachers and are background checked. A release of liability form will be required for participation.
