Life is full of surprises. Especially life on a farm.
No one was more surprised than Matthew Woodworth when not a single chicken hatched from a carefully monitored incubator on The William George Agency for Children’s Services (WGA) campus back in April.
Woodworth, known as “Woody”, had just taken a new position at WGA as Farm Supervisor to kick-start a farming and agriculture program on campus.
“My heart jumped when the position was posted. It seemed like all the stars were aligning. I always had an affinity for being outdoors as a kid, and I work my own patch of farmland now at home. I love being outdoors and helping things grow – be they plants, animals, or people,” says Woody. “When our first attempt at hatching chickens was a dismal failure, it was one of the lowest points for me in recent memory and disappointing to the young resident I worked with who checked the incubator temperature and humidity every day for nearly a month. It taught a valuable lesson about life and how to respond when things don’t go according to plan. You can give up or persevere in the face of loss or setback. We chose to persevere.”
On the second try, 4 incubators were used. One was filled with chicken eggs, one with turkey eggs, one with a mix of both and the fourth contained Indian Runner duck eggs, which had been donated to WGA.
“On May 1, four days earlier than expected, the turkey eggs started rocking, and the kids couldn’t believe it,” says Woody. “The youth who had checked the incubators the first time around had invested 40 days in this one moment. Luckily, the first turkey zippered and made its way out. Then another one. And then another. When all was said and done, 26 turkeys (100% success rate), 8 chickens, and 2 adorable ducks hatched within a two-week period. One youth who grew up in an urban environment exclaimed in disbelief ‘I watched a duck hatch out of an egg!’ After the births, the care routine shifted from checking temperature and humidity to food, water, and health checks before moving on to the greenhouse or outside.”
The Agriculture and Farming program is the latest addition to the milieu therapy that occurs year-round on WGA’s 650-acre campus in Freeville NY. It aims to prepare young people interested in farming as a living for careers in the industry or for further education in a related field. It is one of 18 hands-on vocational opportunities on campus where eligible teens can earn credit towards getting their high school degree thanks to a partnership with the George Junior Republic Union Free School District. Youth learn about crop production, animal husbandry, soil management, agricultural machinery, and farm business management. Other covered concepts include sustainable farming practices, agricultural technology, and agricultural economics.
Youth residing on campus don’t have to want to be a farmer to participate in the program’s activities. Anyone who wants to interact with and care for plants and animals is welcome.
“We’ve created a new space here where kids can learn about animal-human connections, practice responsibility, and engage in responsive relationships,” says Woody. “A place where youth can learn to build empathy and compassion by caring for new life.”
Enthusiasm for the new program has been spreading on campus through word of mouth thanks to participating youth who are proud to show what they’re learning to their peers.
Over the course of its 129-year history, the WGA campus has supported flower and vegetable gardens, dairy cows and angus cattle, sheep, turkeys, lambs, pigs, horses, an apple orchard and maple trees for tapping.
“We’re thrilled to bring back farming and agriculture for youth to experience year-round at WGA,” says Helen Hulings, executive director at The William George Agency for Children’s Services. “Farm life requires focus, discipline, planning, patience, know-how, and commitment. It also teaches that hard work is satisfying and can lead to great accomplishments.”
Woody says a site has been cleared near the existing Horticulture building on campus for a new orchard thanks to a donation of edible fruit and nut trees.
“We’re experimenting with different approaches so kids can learn first-hand what works and what doesn’t. One row of sunflowers has really taken off, and the youth have been cutting them and taking them back to their residences,” he says. “We’re all looking forward to picking pumpkins in the fall.”
Agriculture Education Center
On September 10, 2024, Senator Lea Webb visited WGA to announce state funding to support the development and programming of the Agency’s Agriculture Education Center, a hands-on, experiential learning opportunity available to all youth receiving out-of-home services from WGA. Read the press release or watch the video below of the announcement at WGA’s farm.