A unique children's charity using a working farm as a "living classroom," OMF, Inc. is the only charity of its kind in
Oregon. OMF is not a petting zoo nor a pony ride, but an educational program.
Why have OMF, Inc.? Some kids think potatoes grow on trees so they get to dig them out of the garden themselves
and learn the hands-on way. Some kids have never met a Shetland pony or a Jersey cow up close and personal
so they get to hug and brush the animals and learn they have feelings and aren't just for jumping on at pony rides.
The children also learn the proper feed by seeing the difference between alfalfa and grass hay and which animals eats
that type of food like the sheep and goats, proper vet care and how to tell if they are sick, the history of each breed and
how they were named by previous visitors to the farm, the history of the farm to when it was originaly homesteaded with pitcures
of the first settlers as well as native plants and animals on the gorgeous farm. OMF is a working berry farm too so
the children get to see them in action as well and learn about berry production from fields to jam jar.
All the time they are doing it hands on like learning that a bale of hay is heavy (very funny to watch them try to pick
one up if they are old enough). Even if hay is heavy it still has to be stacked in the barn by the farm's directors
and their volunteers. Then the kids learn where the hay was purchased and how it got to the farm and how many tons
of hay it takes to make sure everyone is round and well fed all year long. And then they get to learn what a ton is
by figuring up the weight and taking a guess on how many bales of hay equals one ton. The kids are doing and learning
at the same time.
The OMF, Inc. program was started because only 3% of the US population now lives on the family farm. In the
1930s that percentage was 70%! With recent tragedies it is imperative that we teach our youngsters about food production
from farm to plate and how to feed themselves with something as simple as growing a garden on a terrace in case tragedy strikes
again.
The OMF children are not learning how to be farmers, but they learn business and marketing (The Farm Store is onsite
and selling farm-related arts and crafts), practical math in figuring feed or board feet to build one building, customer service
in helping to run promotion and fundraising events or operate the The Farm Store, how to ride horses when they sign up for
summer camps, geography of where all the animals came from all over the world on a huge map in the School House and more.
This picturesque farm is a living, breathing class room and OMF, Inc. is the only charity of its kind east of the Mississippi.
Please consider sending your tax deductible donations to this fun charity. OMF is celebrating their 10th
year of operation and have served almost 9,000 children since they opened their gates for business in 1994. OMF serves
all children not just a certain population segment.
Hope you enjoy the visit...
