History of the Farm

In the early 1990s founders Jim and Karli Hagedorn developed their vision for Farms For City Kids Foundation based on a program in England‚ “Farms for City Children,” that enriches children’s lives with active learning on various types of farms. The Hagedorns’ vision was to bring this type of program to inner-city students in America—and Spring Brook Farm is the first such undertaking under the foundation they created: Farms For City Kids. Download as a PDF

1992

The Hagedorn family creates the Spring Brook Farm Foundation‚ and purchases conserved agricultural land (Spring Brook Farm) in Reading‚ Vermont‚ from the Vermont Land Trust.
Licensed as an independent school by the state of Vermont.

1993-1994

The Foundation hires staff to manage the 640-acre dairy farm. Biltmore Farms in Asheville‚ NC‚ donates 40 pregnant Jersey cows. The first calf‚ Blizzard‚ is born in March.
Students known as “Miracle-Gro Kids” spend 2 weeks at the Farm.
Purchased 188 acres for new Dormitory/Educational Facility.

1995

The Spring Brook Farm Foundation changes its name and becomes the Farms For City Kids Foundation.

1996

New dormitory completed.
Purchased 252 acres for forestry program‚ hiking trails‚ pond and horse pasture activities.

1997

Educational curriculum is developed in partnership with the NYC Board of Education.
Hosted first students from NYC School District.

1998-2000

Increased participation from 250-350 urban students‚ mostly from NYC Public Schools.

2001

Welcomed first students from Boston Public Schools.
Farms For City Kids web site launched.
Day programs initiated for local schools to visit Spring Brook Farm.

2003

Increased participation of four Boston public schools.
Local school participation increased to over 200 students.
Welcomed 500 students from NYC‚ Boston‚ NJ‚ Ohio & Delaware.
Dormitory addition completed that includes a library‚ office and bedrooms.

2004

Independent Research Firm commissioned to conduct evaluation of the Farms For City Kids education program to ensure achievement of future outcomes.

2005

Board of Directors establishes endowment fund.

2006

Welcomed 750+ students.
Increased school participation to include schools from Nashua‚ NH and Long Island‚ NY.
Hosted the first Young Ambassador’s Group.

2007

Strongest season participation to date with 31 urban schools confirmed to attend.
New cities scheduled to participate include City of Philadelphia School District‚ and Providence‚ Rhode Island