Hosting School Groups

Should I host a school group at all?

Hosting takes time, preparation and a willingness to manage risk. Children are curious, fast and unpredictable, and a working farm has hazards that adults barely notice. Be honest about whether you have the space, the help and the energy to do it well.

If the answer is yes, start small with one class, one visit and one clear purpose. You can grow later. Many farms find that a short, well-run visit does more for relationships than a long, crowded one.

Some farms host in a single season each year, such as fall, and say no the rest of the time. Setting limits protects your family, your animals and your own patience.

What should I talk through with the teacher first?

Contact the teacher or school well ahead of time. Agree on the date, arrival and departure times, group size and how many adult chaperones will come. Ask about any students with allergies, mobility needs or fears of animals, and ask the school what permission forms it requires.

Share your rules in advance: closed-toe shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, no food in animal areas and where the restrooms and hand washing stations are. A letter or sheet for the teacher to review with students before the trip helps everyone arrive prepared.

Ask about the age of the students. Kindergarten and middle school groups need very different handling, and the number of adults needed rises as the children get younger.

• Date, time, group size and number of adults
• Allergies, mobility needs and other special considerations
• Dress and behavior expectations
• Weather plan and a rain location
• Who is in charge of each small group

How do I keep children safe around animals and equipment?

Keep machinery, chemicals, manure storage, ponds and other hazards completely off the route. Use fencing, closed gates and signs, and park equipment out of reach. Do not assume that an instruction alone will keep a child from a hazard.

Choose animals that are calm and used to people, and limit contact to controlled settings. Animals can carry germs that make people sick, so plan for hand washing after contact, and keep food away from animal areas. Ask your extension office and your local health department for current guidance on visits with animals.

Remind chaperones that they supervise, not just accompany. A parent who is on a phone or wandering away leaves a gap. Give each adult a small group and a role before the group steps out of the bus.

• Set a clear route and keep everything else locked or fenced
• Supervise animal contact with an adult nearby
• Provide hand washing with soap and water where children finish
• Keep food and drinks out of animal areas

What does a good visit schedule look like?

Keep it short and active. An hour or two with several small stations works better than one long lecture. Divide the class into small groups led by adults, and rotate between stations such as animals, garden, tools or a food tasting.

Build in breaks, restroom time and a quiet space if someone needs it. Plan for weather. Have a backup activity if rain or heat cancels part of the plan, and be ready to end the visit early if conditions are unsafe.

Tell the children what to expect at each stop and what the rule is there. Short, concrete instructions work better than long speeches, and a clear signal for stopping and listening helps manage a lively group.

What about insurance, rules and permissions?

Talk to your insurance agent before you host. Ask whether your policy covers visitors and school groups, and whether the school's coverage plays any role. Some policies exclude certain activities or require additional coverage.

Rules about farm visits, food sampling and animal contact vary by state and county. Ask your local health department and state agriculture department what applies, and ask whether any permits are needed if you serve food.

How do I wrap up and improve next time?

End with a short summary and a thank-you. Check that the group leaves in order, gates are closed and no child is separated from an adult. Walk the route afterward for lost items, trash and anything that needs attention.

Ask the teacher for feedback within a few days. Note what worked and what did not, including timing and safety issues. Update your plan before the next group arrives.

Keep a simple file for each visit with the date, group, number of people, what you did and any incidents. Over time it becomes a useful planning tool.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.