Farm Educator's Roadmap®

Christa Hein
  • 5.0 (8)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. Episode 39: Creating a Natural Space for Healing: The Lands at Hillside Farms

    3D AGO

    Episode 39: Creating a Natural Space for Healing: The Lands at Hillside Farms

    When Abby Collins started working at The Lands at Hillside Farms at fifteen years old, she was serving ice cream. Today, she’s helping lead a 438-acre community anchor that proves a farm can be so much more than just a place where food is grown. Hillside isn't just a dairy farm; it is a sanctuary. Through intentional design and a "give, give, give" philosophy inherited from their founder, Abby and her team have woven together agriculture, mental health, and education to support those who need it most. From vocational programs for students with disabilities to a Care Farming initiative for children navigating profound trauma, this episode explores what happens when the land becomes a partner in healing. Abby shares the heart-tugging reality of "the animals just knowing" and how a small team manages to thrive in the chaos of a mission-driven life.   ✨ You’ll hear: 🌱 How Abby grew from an ice cream parlor employee to the Director of Education and Events helping the farm reach its 20th anniversary. 🌳 The legacy of Dr. Doug Ayers and the mission to leave the land better for those who will use it 200 years from now. ⚓ The transition from a family-owned farm to a public resource that the community truly "owns." 🧑‍🌾 How Hillside is providing vocational training for students with disabilities, from greenhouse work to selling produce at local markets. 🤝 How Hillside leverages relationships with mental health counselors, occupational therapists, and food dignity programs to scale their impact. 🐄 How intentional animal-to-student pairings create breakthroughs for children with complex medical and emotional needs.  ✨ Abby’s advice for farm educators: embracing failure, listening to your community, and continuing to evolve Learn more about The Lands at Hillside Farms: 🌐 Website: https://www.thelandsathillsidefarms.org/ 👍 Facebook: The Lands at Hillside Farms 📸 Instagram: @landsathillsidefarms Farm Educator’s Roadmap:   🌐Website: www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com                                                         📘 Free Guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program                 📸 Instagram: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                     👍 Facebook: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                       👩‍🌾 Join the Private Facebook Group: Join us!

    33 min
  2. Episode 38: Rooted in the School Day: Building a School Farm Model at The Madison Farm

    APR 30

    Episode 38: Rooted in the School Day: Building a School Farm Model at The Madison Farm

    When Jenni Adams helped start The Madison Farm, it was about bringing the farm into the rhythm of everyday school life. Set on a school campus in Tennessee, this nonprofit farm is woven into the student experience—from preschool through high school—where learning happens through real work, real seasons, and real responsibility. But building something like this didn’t come all at once. In this episode, Jenni shares what it actually looks like to integrate a working farm into a school setting—and how the education side has grown over time into something deeply impactful. ✨ You’ll hear: 🏫 What it takes to integrate into an existing school system 🎓 How students develop confidence through ownership and responsibility 🛠️ How work-study programs build real-life skills and prepare students for the future 🤝 How community support and mentorship drives growth ⚖️ Balancing production, education, and capacity ❤️ What it means to create a place where students feel they belong   Learn more about The Madison Farm: 🌐 Website: https://the-madison-farm.square.site/ 👍 Facebook: The Madison Farm 📸 Instagram: @themadisonfarm Farm Educator’s Roadmap:   🌐Website: www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com                                                         📘 Free Guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program                 📸 Instagram: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                     👍 Facebook: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                       👩‍🌾 Join the Private Facebook Group: Join us!

    37 min
  3. Episode 37: Simple Beginnings to Big Impact: Building Farm Education at Pineland Farms

    APR 22

    Episode 37: Simple Beginnings to Big Impact: Building Farm Education at Pineland Farms

    When Cathryn Anderson first arrived at Pineland Farms, there wasn’t an education department. Just a handful of field trips… a lot of possibility… and a place that felt like it could become something more. Fifteen years later, that “something more” has grown into a dynamic, ever-evolving education program reaching visitors of all ages—through farm visits, seasonal events, self-guided exploration, and hands-on learning experiences across 5,000 acres in New Gloucester, Maine. But it didn’t happen all at once. In this episode, Cathryn shares how the education side of the farm has grown, adapted, and expanded—and what it really takes to create meaningful learning experiences at scale. ✨ You’ll hear: 🌱 The evolution from simple school visits to a full education ecosystem 🐄 How to design experiences for all ages—from preschool to adults 🧭 The difference between guided programs and open exploration 🌦️ How each season shapes what (and how) people learn 🧠 Managing growth, ideas, and overwhelm as programs expand 🎟️ Why events are powerful entry points for new visitors ⚖️ How to navigate change without losing your mission 🌱 What beginners often overcomplicate (and what matters most instead) 💡 Practical advice for building programs with what you already have Learn more about Pineland Farms: 🌐 Website: pinelandfarms.org 👍 Facebook: Pineland Farms 📸 Instagram: @pinelandfarms Farm Educator’s Roadmap:   🌐Website: www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com                                                         📘 Free Guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program                 📸 Instagram: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                     👍 Facebook: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                       👩‍🌾 Join the Private Facebook Group: Join us!

    40 min
  4. Episode 36: From Vacant Lot to Community Impact: Heru Urban Farming's Story of Resilience and Purpose

    APR 15

    Episode 36: From Vacant Lot to Community Impact: Heru Urban Farming's Story of Resilience and Purpose

    When Tyrean “Heru” Lewis looked around his neighborhood, he didn’t see access to fresh food—so he took action. With no formal plan, he began growing in his backyard… then on a vacant lot… and slowly, something much bigger took root. Today, Heru Urban Farming in St. Louis, Missouri is a space where food, education, and community come together—but the path to get there was anything but straightforward. In this episode, Heru shares the real story behind building something from nothing, the lessons learned along the way, and how he continues to lead through uncertainty with resilience and purpose. ✨ You’ll hear: 🌱 How Heru went from PE teacher to urban farmer 🏙️ What sparked the transition from teaching to addressing food access in his community 🧑‍🌾 The evolution from garden, to vacant lot, to full-scale urban farm and education program 📖 The role education plays—from classrooms to hands-on farm experiences 💭 What it means to be a “soul farmer” and lead with intention 📣 How community relationships and consistency fueled growth ⚖️ Navigating major funding loss and continuing forward anyway 💡 Why you don’t need land, funding, or a perfect plan to begin Learn more about Heru Urban Farming: 🌐 Website: heruurbanfarming.com    👍 Facebook: Heru Urban Farming 📸 Instagram: @heruurbanfarming Farm Educator’s Roadmap:   🌐Website: www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com                                                         📘 Free Guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program                 📸 Instagram: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                     👍 Facebook: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                       👩‍🌾 Join the Private Facebook Group: Join us!

    28 min
  5. Episode 35: Starting Without a Plan: Growing a Farm Education Program from Scratch at Shipshape Farm

    APR 1

    Episode 35: Starting Without a Plan: Growing a Farm Education Program from Scratch at Shipshape Farm

    Shipshape Farm in Traveler's Rest, South Carolina didn’t start with a business plan—it started with a need. In the middle of a season that felt uncertain, Whitney Poitevint and her family made a big shift: from city life to farmland, from routine to something entirely new. What followed wasn’t a straight path—but step by step, it became a farm education program that now serves families, builds community, and creates space for kids to truly experience the world around them. In this conversation, Whitney shares what it really looks like to build something from scratch—and why the messy, in-between stages matter just as much as the outcome. ✨ You’ll hear: 🌱 How Whitney’s life shifted from city living to farm life almost overnight 🍩 The early trial-and-error of making income from the land 🧑‍🌾 How a simple idea turned into a sold-out farm education program 📖 Why giving kids time and space leads to deeper engagement 💭 Navigating imposter syndrome without a traditional teaching background 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 How a multi-generational family works together on the farm 📣 How word-of-mouth helped their programs grow faster than expected 🐐 The evolution into goat dairy production and new opportunities 💡 Whitney’s advice: you don’t need a perfect plan—you just need to start Learn more about Shipshape Farm: 🌐 Website: www.shipshapefarm.com         👍 Facebook: Shipshape Farm 📸 Instagram: @shipshapefarm Farm Educator’s Roadmap:   🌐Website: www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com                                                         📘 Free Guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program                 📸 Instagram: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                     👍 Facebook: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                       👩‍🌾 Join the Private Facebook Group: Join us!

    43 min
  6. Episode 34: Nourishing Land and People: The Mission Behind Piney Woods Farm

    MAR 25

    Episode 34: Nourishing Land and People: The Mission Behind Piney Woods Farm

    At its core, Piney Woods Farm is about nourishment—in every sense of the word. From building healthy soil to providing fresh food for families, this La Grange, Georgia-based nonprofit is focused on creating impact that extends far beyond the farm itself. And along the way, it’s become a place where people come to learn, connect, and slow down. In this conversation, Jessica Breaux shares how Piney Woods is living out its mission through regenerative agriculture, community partnerships, and education rooted in real, hands-on experiences. You’ll hear: 🌱 How Jessica’s unexpected path led her from opera to regenerative agriculture 🏆How being honored with the Rodale Institute Organic Stewardship Award reflects the farm’s commitment to soil health and regenerative practices 🥕 How Piney Woods has donated over 150,000 pounds of nutrient-dense food to their community 🤝 How their three pillars—health, connection, and regenerative nature—guide their work 🐝 Why education at Piney Woods starts small—and grows through curiosity                                                                                            🧵 Why creating space for hands-on learning builds confidence and community 👧 What kids gain from participating in farm-based programs 💡 Jessica’s advice for educators: start where you are, get your hands dirty, and don’t be afraid to “fail up” Learn more about Piney Woods Farm: 🌐 Website: www.pineywoods.farm         👍 Facebook: @PineyWoodsFarmLaGrange 📸 Instagram: @piney_woods_farm_ga Farm Educator’s Roadmap:   🌐Website: www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com                                                         📘 Free Guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program                 📸 Instagram: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                     👍 Facebook: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                       👩‍🌾 Join the Private Facebook Group: Join us!

    35 min
  7. Episode 33: From Farm Kid to Founder: Building Pine Row Preschool

    MAR 18

    Episode 33: From Farm Kid to Founder: Building Pine Row Preschool

    Amber Bruckner is the founder of Pine Row Preschool, a small farm-based preschool in Michigan where young children learn through animals, nature, and everyday farm life. At Pine Row, gathering eggs, feeding animals, exploring the creek, and following children’s curiosity are all part of the rhythm of the day. In this conversation, Amber shares how her background in early childhood education led her to create a program where farm life and learning go hand in hand. We talk about her teaching philosophy, the Project Approach curriculum she uses, and how real experiences with animals and nature help children build empathy, confidence, and curiosity. ✨ You’ll hear: 🐔 What it looks like when preschoolers gather eggs, feed animals, and take part in real farm chores 🌱 Amber’s journey from early childhood educator to founding Pine Row Preschool 🧠 How the Project Approach helps children guide their own learning through curiosity 🐑 The role animals play in helping children develop empathy, responsibility, and emotional awareness 🌿 Why sensory-rich outdoor experiences are so important for early childhood development 🏡 What makes a small, home-based preschool feel different—and why that can be a strength 🤝 How caring for animals and working together builds teamwork and confidence 💡 Amber’s encouragement for educators interested in starting small, hands-on farm education programs Learn more about Pine Row Preschool: 🌐 Website: www.pinerowpreschool.com         👍 Facebook: @pinerowpreschool 📸 Instagram: @pinerowchildcare Farm Educator’s Roadmap:   🌐Website: https://www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com                                                         📘 Free Guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program                 📸 Instagram: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                     👍 Facebook: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                       👩‍🌾 Join the Private Facebook Group: Join us!

    32 min
  8. Episode 32: Care, Learn, Act: A Century of Farm & Nature Education at Hidden Villa

    MAR 11

    Episode 32: Care, Learn, Act: A Century of Farm & Nature Education at Hidden Villa

    Hidden Villa in Los Altos, California is one of the pioneers of environmental education in the United States. Founded in the 1920s, this 1,600-acre organic farm and wilderness preserve has spent more than a century helping people connect with the land through farming, nature exploration, and community learning. In this episode, Senior Manager of Education Christina Emmett shares how Hidden Villa brings that mission to life today - from farm and wilderness field trips to family programs, camps, and a powerful volunteer program that helps them reach over 11,000 students each year. You’ll hear: 🌱 How Christina’s early outdoor education experiences shaped her path into environmental education      🐑 The care → learn → act framework that guides Hidden Villa’s programs for students from preschool through high school                                                                                                        🥕 What a typical field trip looks like—from meeting newborn lambs to hiking wildlands and exploring ecosystems 🌎 The three pillars of Hidden Villa’s educational philosophy: active learning, reciprocity, and inclusion 🤝 How volunteers make it possible for Hidden Villa to serve thousands of students each year 🌿 The power of multi-generational connections that keep families returning to Hidden Villa decade after decade 🍅 How the working organic farm and CSA support farm-to-table learning experiences for students  ✨Christina’s advice for new farm educators: learning from the wisdom of the larger community Learn more about Hidden Villa: 🌐 Website: www.hiddenvilla.org  👍 Facebook: @hiddenvilla 📸 Instagram: @hiddenvilla Farm Educator’s Roadmap:   🌐 Website: https://www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com                                                                    📘 Free Guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program                 📸 Instagram: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                     👍 Facebook: @farmeducatorsroadmap                                                                                       👩‍🌾 Join the Private Facebook Group: Join us!

    36 min
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Christa Hein
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Farm Educator's Roadmap®
  • Show Website
    Farm Educator's Roadmap®

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