learning and connecting through farm care
For over twenty-five years Red Gate Farm has been welcoming students and teachers to our programs. Our donor funded scholarships allow Springfield, MA students to join us during their school year for overnight programs at the farm.
We are actively building relationships with Springfield Schools who are interested in becoming one of our partner schools. If your school is interested, email us at schools@redgatefarm.org for more information.
The following are some brief insights into our program and facilities.
Our Program
Farm values guide our actions and define our community. Each session students and staff create a compact that helps build a community based on kindness and respect. We employ these values in everything we do, and they create a space where everyone feels valued, heard and appreciated.
Farm work is a key aspect of our program, and there are no invented tasks or activities. Students hold real tools and do the important work that needs to get done. Through this work, students experience the farm as a living, changing place where their care, adaptability and attention matters.
Having fun is important too! We schedule elective blocks where students choose various activities or interests outside of farm work. Past activities have included blacksmithing, beekeeping, yoga, painting, tree identification and cooking in the farm kitchen.
Group visits are typically three days long, but can be modified to longer or shorter durations.
“We love going to the farm with our 5th graders in the Fall. It is a special trip for them that they get to experience during their last year with us in Elementary school. The bonds they form with each other and their teachers is something that is hard to describe, but the impact is felt throughout the year. This trip changes them for the better. It opens up their eyes to a world very different from their own. The experience is priceless!!! ”
Our Facilities
Delicious meals are prepared by the program chef each day. Students help by harvesting from the farm garden, working in the kitchen prepping food, and helping to clear up afterwards. Our food made from fresh ingredients each day. Our menu options are primarily vegetarian, but occasionally have meat as a choice. We work hard to accomodate a wide variety of diets.
Our beautiful dining hall is also a gathering space for community and program activities. We enjoy playing relaxing board games at night after a hard days work, or singing lively music together.
Sleeping quarters are in the Roost, located immediately next door to the dining hall. There are eleven bedrooms furnished with bunkbeds and comfortable mattresses. Simple, but comfortable, these rooms have lots of natural light from windows that open onto the farm and plenty of spaces to put personal belongings. Full bathrooms with sinks, toilets and showers are just down the hall.
“My daughter had a great time! She enjoyed all aspects of working on the farm, raved about the food, and thoroughly enjoyed herself. ”
Health and Safety
Many of us (including the Farm Director and his family!) live on-site here on the farm. This enables us to provide 24-hour support to all our programs. We work closely with our consulting physician, and town’s Board of Health to follow best-practices that prioritize the health and safety of our visitors, staff and farm community. In the unlikely event of an emergency, we are trained in 1st aid and CPR and have emergency plan protocols that are reviewed by our consulting physician.
“Overall, the program activities were excellent, led by capable, calm staff who handled the students’ energy well and explained things clearly and compassionately.”
In March of 2026 Red Gate Farm Director, Ben Murray presented at the Springfield School Committee. Hi presentation is followed by an additional discussion of experiences with Red Gate programs. Here are some highlights taken from the full-length, publicly available video of the meeting.
Interested in discussing a trip to the farm? Email Farm Director, Ben Murray or call the farm office at (413) 625-9503
