Balancing farm chores and school work near Lake Placid by Todd Moe (Weekday Morning Host and Producer) , in Lake Placid, NY Jan 10, 2017 — Not every school in the North Country can boast its own flock of sheep or herd of horses. But at North Country School, daily homework includes farm chores, even in the dark winter months. The boarding school, just outside of Lake Placid, expects all of its students to lend a hand on the campus farm: collecting eggs, weeding the garden and working with horses. The farm and garden curriculum is one of the school’s signature programs. Twice a day, before breakfast and dinner, the students feed livestock and check barn conditions. In the spring, there's all-school maple syrup production, and garden and chicken harvests in early autumn.
"Lucky," a lamb abandoned by its mother, was bottle-fed by students. She's not shy and loves an occasional handout of grain. Photo: Todd Moe
Farm intern Andrea Melhorn helps Abigail give Luna a good brushing during evening chores at North Country School. Photo: Todd Moe
The North Country School farm curriculum and projects, managed by adults and teachers, give students a sense of accomplishment and a first-hand understanding of where their food comes from. It's work, but also fun; riding lessons and raising lambs are popular assignments. Balancing farm chores and school work near Lake PlacidTodd Moe Todd Moe tagged along during evening chores last November. Students fed the school's flock of sheep, brushed their favorite horses, and "mucked"out some of the animal stalls.