Rogers Farm Visit

In June, the students from the UMaine Intensive English Institute (IEI) visited Rogers Farm, one of several UMaine agricultural research stations. It was a day of experiential learning. 

Kate Garland, UMaine Horticultural Professional, and Christina Lannan, Rogers Farm Enrichment Coordinator, showed IEI students pigments and watercolors made with the garden elements. Students looked at treasure boxes of beans and corn kernels in a remarkable variety of colors and patterns, wandered around the flower beds, felt the furry leaves of Lamb’s Ears, inhaled the heady scent of pink peonies, and admired fat clumps of blueberries. IEI students picked small bits and pieces from the garden to match a vast array of paint samples Kate laid out in planting trays. Then they got our hands dirty! Christina gave everyone a few beans to plant in neat rows. She and Kate encouraged IEI students and staff to return next month to see the beans’ progress.

Before departing, students played a game of Duck, Duck, Goose, a first for many of the students and a very enjoyable (and silly) conclusion to the trip. At least some of us will definitely be back to Rogers Farm to see what’s growing. Many thanks to Kate and Christina for hosting and teaching us about this lovely, productive, garden.