Sweetwater Farm School

03/26/2025

We are enjoying the beautiful spring weather! Today was the perfect day to bring those inside toys outside.

10/08/2024

Last summer (‘23) I planted our first crop of glass gem corn. We dried the cobs and harvested the kernels for use in our sensory table.

All winter long we played with the kernels in the sensory table. Scooping, dumping, pinching, transferring, burying, mounding, squishing, dropping and sweeping it up to do it again.

This spring the kids and I got a wild hair to plant some of the kernels to see if they would grow. In January I had fertilized a nice space in the play yard with the goat shed clean out. We tilled it in and planted some of the kernels during spring break in March.

The stalks that survived rogue balls and quick feet grew tall and gave us great shade.

This week we cut and peeled the cobs. We found so many beautiful colors and varieties this year! Some cobs were very small or underdeveloped but we got a lot of gorgeous colors.

Corn. A sensory staple in every season. 🌽

09/11/2024

Summer pt 3

09/11/2024

Summer pt 2

09/11/2024

Wow, summer seemed to blow by us. Kids are all back in school so I thought I should take the time to share some shots from the summer. This summer was fantastic, we had some crazy moments too, cue wild land fire. Overall we kept busy and made some wonderful memories. It was a great send off to a quiet year while I take some personal time off.

Thank you everyone for being so patient with me as I make this transition. Stay tuned here for upcoming events and open days as the season cools down.

Photos pt 1/2

04/25/2024

LAPWAI FAMILY ENGAGEMENT DAY: Nez Perce Tribe Social Services is hosting the Lapwai Family Engagement Day at Lapwai City Park on April 26th, from noon to 3 PM. The event will feature prizes, games, booths, fun activities, and food to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month. For more information, contact April at 208 843 7302 or Tiah at [email protected].

03/29/2024

Idaho Parents Unlimited (IPUL) is traveling to Lewiston April 18th to provide their most requested workshops. Childcare providers are welcome as well, but no training hours are given.

03/13/2024

Its

Did you know that when CACFP providers are choosing foods to serve to children we have specific nutrition guidelines to follow? Honestly, these guidelines are a real hassle at first but they are SO important for the health of our children.

For instance childcare providers are only allowed to serve yogurt that has less than 23 grams of sugar per six ounces.

There are many types of yogurt that meet this requirement and there are many that don’t.

Though the CACFP only regulates the amount of sugars in a yogurt some providers may choose to look at ingredients like dyes and other added ingredients as homemade yogurt is not creditable in CACFP programs.

Hence why we don’t often change our options when we find something we like.

The CACFP also regulates the serving size.. Children aged 1-5yrs get ¼ cup while children five years and older get ½ cup of yogurt to meet the requirement. This is a MINIMUM requirement, children can have as many servings as they would like but providers are required to offer at least this amount to each child during the meal.

These are just a few of the steps childcare providers are taking to serve children healthy foods throughout the day!

03/13/2024

Dear Parents,

As we celebrate CACFP Week, you should know one of the most important lessons a child will learn are healthy eating habits. Did you know your child is learning these habits in an environment that recognizes the importance of participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program as a way to help children grow and develop to their fullest potential?

Together, with caregivers and parents, we can work to establish and encourage healthy eating habits. Receiving nutritious meals early in life, as well as being physically active, is critical to the establishment of positive lifelong habits.

What does CACFP mean for you and your children?

Research shows that child care providers, like us, who participate in the CACFP offer more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats than providers who do not participate in the CACFP.

These high quality meals mean children are getting many of the nutrients needed to stay healthy and active. This helps build a strong immune system. Children served a nutritious diet, as regulated by the program, are also more likely to be healthy, happy and develop at a normal physical, emotional, and intellectual pace. CACFP providers create an atmosphere that instills a positive, curious attitude about food from the earliest years.

Participation means that not only are well- balanced meals and snacks served, but that other requirements such as safety regulations, child-to-staff ratios, and other health guidelines are being followed. To remain in the program, homes and centers are continually monitored and held to the highest health and nutrition standards.

Stay tuned this week or check out for more information and meal ideas.

02/05/2024

Are you a childcare program looking for garden funding? Kids Gardening offers many grant opportunities thought out the year.


“The 2024 GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant closes Friday! This grant will award a total of 170 programs $500 in funding to start or improve their youth gardens or greenspaces.

Any nonprofit organization, school district, university, government entity, or tax-exempt organization, such as religious organizations and Tribal governments, in the United States and US Territories serving at least 15 youth is eligible to apply. Applicants must be planning to use the funds to install new or improve existing youth gardens or greenspaces.

Apply by midnight PT on February 9, 2024!”

KidsGardening offers a variety of grants to new and existing youth garden programs across the nation.

02/01/2024

Happy February Everyone! Summer camp planning has officially begun and I am looking for camp staff. Employment is broken down into one week time commitments so you don't have to worry about requesting your summer vacation time off, just apply for the week(s) you are available! APPLY HERE:

This is an application and information form for a summer position at Sweetwater Farm School.