Flying Starlings Teen Flower Farm Program

In collaboration with Hix Flower Farm
Start Date: June 17th, 2025
Location: 1279 Reed Rd, Dartmouth, MA

Program Overview:
The Flying Starlings Teen Flower Farm Program provides teens with hands-on experience in modern commercial flower farming, combining agricultural education with valuable business and life skills. This inclusive program, open to teens with and without autism, is designed to engage participants in a supportive and enriching environment. By working directly on the farm, teens will learn farming techniques, business operations, and develop essential social skills—all while connecting with their community.

Program Schedule:

Tuesday Morning: 9 am – 11 am

• Farm Tasks & Hands-on Learning:
  Teens will learn how to engage in essential farm activities such as planting, watering, harvesting, and bouquet-making. They will be taught how to care for flowers, tend to the land, and gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural practices.

Wednesday Evenings: 4 pm – 6 pm

• Farm Stand Preparation & Business Skills:
  Teens will be taught how to prepare products for the farm stand and farmers market, including tasks like inventory management, product analysis, and pricing strategies. They will learn how to close the farm stand, ensuring everything is properly recorded, and gaining knowledge about financial data tracking, including costs, sales, and profits.

  • Record-Keeping & Financial Literacy: Teens will learn how to track sales, analyze financial data, and understand business record-keeping as part of the farm’s operations.

  • Social Skills & Customer Interaction: Participants will learn how to interact with customers in a cheerful, professional manner while building confidence in public settings.

Thursday: 10 am – 1:30 pm

• Farmers Market Volunteer:
  On select Thursdays, teens will learn how to volunteer at the Sakonnet Vineyards Farmers Market, gaining skills in how to set up and sell flowers while engaging with the community. They will learn how to market products, represent the farm with a professional demeanor, and gain experience in customer interaction, sales strategies, and business networking.

What Teens Will Learn & Benefits:

• Hands-on Agricultural Skills:
  Teens will learn to plant, care for, harvest, and arrange flowers, gaining practical skills in modern flower farming.

• Business & Entrepreneurship:
  Teens will be taught key business principles, such as pricing, market strategies, and customer service. They will learn how to manage sales, track expenses, and plan for growth in a business setting. These lessons will help prepare teens for entrepreneurial ventures or higher education.

• Real-life Social Skills & Community Engagement:
  The program encourages social interactions and helps teens learn how to build meaningful relationships while learning in a nurturing environment. They will learn how to interact professionally with customers and market their farm’s products at the farmers market. They will also learn teamwork, problem-solving, and professional communication.

• Environmental Education & Stewardship:
  Through hands-on experiences, teens will learn the importance of sustainability, conservation, and environmental stewardship. They will be taught about companion planting, water conservation, and the use of natural farming techniques, fostering an appreciation for biodiversity and sustainable farming practices.

Program Outcomes:

• Improved Academic & Business Readiness:
  Engaging in real-world farming and business tasks helps teens develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical application of math and science concepts. The business skills learned will prepare teens for future entrepreneurial endeavors or higher education.

• Enhanced Social Development:
  Teens will build meaningful relationships through teamwork and community involvement. By collaborating on tasks and interacting with customers, they will improve their social communication and emotional intelligence, important components of personal development.

• Cognitive & Developmental Benefits:
  Research shows that hands-on learning in agriculture helps develop memory retention, attention to detail, and cognitive processing. Agricultural programs also enhance environmental awareness and foster a sense of responsibility for the planet. Teens will gain a better understanding of ecological relationships and how their actions can contribute to sustainable farming and conservation.

Additional Details:

June - Aug Program: Free for FS Members. | $250 Nonmembers

• Program Duration:
  The program runs 3 days a week from June through September (or until the harvest period in October). Each session lasts 2-3 hours.

• Target Audience:
  Teens ages 12-18, including those with and without autism, with a focus on inclusion and community building.

Disclaimer:

The Flying Starlings Teen Flower Farm Program is designed to provide teens with hands-on learning experiences in flower farming and business practices. While Flying Starlings aims to offer high-quality, educational experiences, individual results may vary based on the participant’s engagement, background, and development. Participation in the program does not guarantee specific outcomes, including academic, social, or business success. Flying Starlings reserves the right to modify, adjust, or cancel the program as necessary.