farmersmarket365

I’m Chloe, and I am in fifth grade. At my school, we have a project called Independent Study. We can chose anything we are passionate about to do a project on. We launched it in October, and we will have a small showcase in the middle of May.

For my Independent Study, I chose to do farming. I really enjoy helping out and doing chores at the farm my Grandmother works at, and I love animals. As a part of the project, we write a business letter to a person who does the thing that you are studying, to ask if they will be your mentor. I chose Gam, my grandmother, and she wrote a very fun letter back, saying, “Of course!” that she would love to be my mentor.

I have three main parts to my study: Chicken and Egg Business, Farmer’s Market, and Interviews.

At home, I have three chickens: 2 hens, and a (naughty) rooster. I have been recording data, (I am trying to do it every day) to collect information like: how many eggs I get, what nesting box they are in, and what time of day I checked. I also have been putting the (approximate) temperature of the day. Using this information, I will be able to see how the egg laying differs depending on what time of year, and I will be able to do a mini experiment, seeing if they like the top or bottom nest boxes, and if they like more or less hay.

For Farmer’s Market, one of the teachers at school who runs the garden has helped me start to plant three kinds of lettuce for me to sell later in the year. I also have been skimming through The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Young Reader’s Edition by Michael Pollan, taking notes. Near to the end of the assignment, I am planning to write a small essay about how organic farming is a benefit.

Now, to the “interview” topic. I have collected a list of people that would be willing to be interviewed at the Coastal Growers farmer’s market in N. Kingstown R.I., where Gam volunteers. When I have March break, I will go down there and maybe spend a weekend having interviews, visiting farms, and gathering lots of valuable experience. Later, I will pick a few of the answers, and use those to make a Powerpoint.

As my mentor, Gam recently had a great idea: I could write on her blog about my findings. From now on, I will be trying to write every week about my observations, and maybe tips, and this is my first entry.