Farm Educator's Roadmap®
Farm Educator's Roadmap®
Podcast Description
The Farm Educator's Roadmap® Podcast shares inspiring stories and practical insights to help you turn your passion for farming into powerful, purpose-driven education programs.
Hosted by Christa Hein - a farm educator of 30 years and founder of Bring the Farm to You®—this podcast blends heartfelt stories with hard-earned wisdom from educators across the country who are making an impact on family farms, in schoolyards, in cities, suburbs, and everywhere in between.
Whether you're dreaming up your first program or expanding an established farm-based business, you'll find real-life insights, practical strategies, and feel-good inspiration in every episode. From hands-on tips to big-picture visioning, this show will help you grow programs that connect people to the land, strengthen your community, and support your livelihood.
Tune in, get inspired, and let’s grow the future of farm education—together.
Ready to build a farm education program that stands out and attracts clients? Grab my free guide, 5 Simple Steps to Growing and In-Demand Farm Education Program, and start turning your passion into programs that people can't wait to book! https://www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com/5simplesteps
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores various aspects of farm education, touching on themes such as community building, hands-on learning, and environmental stewardship. Specific episodes cover topics like creating farm-based education programs, inspiring stories from farm educators, and unique approaches to integrating agriculture into curricula, such as the episode with Vera Simon-Nobes discussing the Farm-Based Education Network and its impact on educators and communities.
The Farm Educator’s Roadmap® Podcast shares inspiring stories and practical insights to help you turn your passion for farming into powerful, purpose-driven education programs.
Hosted by Christa Hein – a farm educator of 30 years and founder of Bring the Farm to You®—this podcast blends heartfelt stories with hard-earned wisdom from educators across the country who are making an impact on family farms, in schoolyards, in cities, suburbs, and everywhere in between.
Whether you’re dreaming up your first program or expanding an established farm-based business, you’ll find real-life insights, practical strategies, and feel-good inspiration in every episode. From hands-on tips to big-picture visioning, this show will help you grow programs that connect people to the land, strengthen your community, and support your livelihood.
Tune in, get inspired, and let’s grow the future of farm education—together.
Ready to build a farm education program that stands out and attracts clients? Grab my free guide, 5 Simple Steps to Growing and In-Demand Farm Education Program, and start turning your passion into programs that people can’t wait to book! https://www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com/5simplesteps
Sunflower Farm in Longmont, Colorado blends licensed early childhood education with real farm life—over 100 animals, gardens, and wide-open play—plus beloved community events like Farm Fests and music evenings.
Executive Director Liz Napp shares how a parent’s love for the place turned into leadership, how they navigated licensing (hello, field-trip waivers!), and why “stillness” is central to their farm-school philosophy.
You’ll hear:
🐑 The origin story: from homestead to Educational Demonstration Farm (2018)
🧒 How a licensed, nature-based preschool runs…on a working farm
🧭 Self-directed learning in the school-age program (and helping kids rediscover “I’m not bored—there’s so much to do!”)
🧮 Real-world math & science outside: counting goats, subtracting sheep, learning by doing
🛠️ The clever licensing path: field-trip waivers, variances (e.g., chicken coop rules under age 5), and hand-washing everywhere
🏕️ Tiny, coveted summer camps: 24 campers/week, 8:1 ratios, 10 weeks—why families race to register
🌱 CSA + kid gardens: “educational beds,” daily harvests, and veggies sent home with students
🎶 Community builders that also pay the bills: music nights, Farmfests, flower workshops, farm dinners
👩🌾 Teen pipeline: preschoolers who return as volunteers and paid farm helpers
🧩 Behind the scenes: staffing, animal care, and keeping a childcare-safe farm humming
🪴 What’s next in Colorado: outdoor-based childcare licensing slated for 2026—and why Sunflower is a model
💡 Liz’s candid advice for starting your own farm-school (including land, partnerships, and persistence)
Learn more:
Sunflower Farm — sunflowerfarminfo.com
Sunflower Farm Acres – sunflowerfarmacres.com
Instagram: @sunflowerfarm_info
Facebook: @sunflowerfarmlongmont
Farm Educator’s Roadmap links:
Website: farmeducatorsroadmap.com
Free guide: Five Simple Steps to Growing Your In-Demand Farm Education Programs
Instagram: @farmeducatorsroadmap
Facebook: @farmeducatorsroadmap
Private FB Group: Farm Educator’s Roadmap Community
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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