It's because we offer a fun and educational experience for children and teachers that we have over 7,500 children visit us for field trips each year. We greatly enhanced and expanded our tours in 2009 and now have four options to choose from!
Daycare and Preschool Groups
For daycare and preschool groups, our tour focuses on physical activity and experiences for active little bodies.
Tour #1:
- Jumping Pillow
- Hay maze
- Three Little Pigs houses
- Corn pool
- Apple tasting
- Farm animals
- Hayride
Cost of Tour #1 is $5.00 per person. This includes all adults, with one teacher touring free in each group.
Length of tour: 1 hour 15 minutes
Kindergarten and First Grade Groups
We have two different tours and a combination of both geared toward Kindergarten and First Graders--Apple Tour and Farm Tour. Education is the goal of each one, while we learn about Iowa agriculture, crops and our orchard. Students will be introduced to new vocabulary and use all five senses. Some learning points include the five senses, observing weather conditions, differentiating between living and non-living, and the scientific method.
Tour #2 Farm Tour:
The Farm Tour features typical crops and livestock found around us in Iowa.
- Hay ride around the farm
- "ABC's of Iowa Crops" (Alfalfa, Beans (soybeans), Corn) - tunnel through a field of each, measure growth and learn uses of each
- Learn about milk cows with "Molly Moo" and have the chance to "milk" her
- Visit our Learning Barn stations to discover Iowa farm products through hands-on learning and activities
- Farm animals
Cost of Tour #2 is $4.00 per person. This includes all adults, with one teacher touring free in each group.
Length of tour: 1 hour 15 minutes
Tour #3 Apple Tour:
The Apple Tour explores the entire process of apple production and processing.
- Hay ride to the orchard to pick apples to take home
- In our outdoor classroom, learn how we care for the apples and trees, and the tools used
- Learn about the life cycle of an apple tree
- How bees are important to our orchard
- Watch how our apples are sorted and bagged in the apple grader room
- Visit the Country Store to see where our apples and other products are sold
- Time with farm animals at the end of your tour
Cost of Tour #3 is $4.00 per person. This includes all adults, with one teacher touring free in each group.
Length of tour: 1 hour 15 minutes
Tour #4 Farm & Apple Tours Combined:
All activities of both the Apple Tour and the Farm Tour (with just one hay ride).
Cost of Tour #4 is $5.00 per person. This includes all adults, with one teacher touring free in each group.
Length of tour: 2 hours 15 minutes
General Information For All Tours:
Tours are available Monday through Friday at 9:30, 11:15 and 1:00.
Groups may arrive early or stay to enjoy the rest of the farm (as activities and attractions are available and not being used by other tour groups) but must be ready to begin their tour at their scheduled time.
We have picnic tables if you wish to bring sack lunches, and a large lawn to play on after lunch.
Tours are held rain or shine. Rainy day tours are just as fun when we enjoy indoor learning activities.
There is a 15-person minimum for tours. (Smaller groups are welcome to come out on their own and pay regular admission.)
We accept cash, check, MasterCard, Visa and Discover. We also accept purchase orders for tour groups.
Once we've been in touch to confirm your tour, we'll send you an email with your details and all the information you'll need for that day. If you have questions about the confirmation message or do not receive it, please email us at schooltours@centergroveorchard.com.
Supporting Iowa Agriculture
Teachers: The Iowa Farm Bureau provides educational resources, programs, and funding opportunities to support those who teach children about agriculture. Get more information here or by calling 515-225-5425.
