U-Pick Enrichment Program

Charter School U-Pick Program at The Farm on Washington

  • Format: Weekly 90-minute guided U-Pick session + Farm Membership
  • Ages: K–12 (grouped by age/grade when possible)
  • Schedule: Fridays 9:30–11:00 a.m. (additional times available as program grows)
  • Class Size: Up to 25 students per session
  • Location: 25391 Washington Ave, Murrieta CA 92562

Students will participate in weekly hands-on harvesting of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Each session emphasizes safe harvesting, seasonality, and observation of plant life cycles. Families also receive a farm membership, allowing ongoing access to U-Pick outside class time.

Educational Objectives:

  1. Understand seasonality of crops through direct harvesting
  2. Observe plant parts and their functions (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits)
  3. Develop practical food system awareness (farm-to-table connection)
  4. Practice safe and respectful harvesting skills
  5. Curriculum Alignment: NGSS & CA State Standards

Program Structure:

  • Duration: 12 weeks (one semester)
  • Frequency: Weekly 90-minute sessions (Fridays)
  • Activities: Guided U-Pick harvesting of fruits, herbs, vegetables, and flowers, with observation, discussion, and journaling components.

Sample Weekly Scope & Sequence

Unit 1 – Introduction to Plants & Farms (Weeks 1–3)

Week 1: Orientation & Safety + Harvest Basics

  • Activity: Tour farm, harvest seasonal fruit/herbs
  • NGSS: K-LS1-1 (patterns of plant needs: sun, water, soil)

Week 2: Plant Parts & Functions

  • Activity: Identify roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits during harvest
  • NGSS: 1-LS1-1 (plants have parts that help them survive and grow)

Week 3: Seasonal Growing Cycles

  • Activity: Compare crops ready now vs. crops still developing
  • NGSS: 2-LS2-2 (plants depend on water and light)

Unit 2 – Habitats, Pollinators & Flowers (Weeks 4–6)

Week 4: Pollinators in the Field

  • Activity: Observe bees/butterflies while harvesting flowers
  • NGSS: 2-LS4-1 (biodiversity in habitats)

Week 5: Flowers & Reproduction

  • Activity: Harvest flowers and herbs, discuss role of flowers in plant reproduction
  • NGSS: 3-LS1-1 (life cycles of plants)

Week 6: Soil as Habitat

  • Activity: Pull root vegetables, look at soil organisms (worms, beetles)
  • NGSS: 3-LS4-3 (organisms survive in specific habitats)

Unit 3 – Growth, Change & Adaptation (Weeks 7–9)

Week 7: Weather & Water

  • Activity: Compare crops that thrive in heat vs. cool weather
  • NGSS: 4-ESS2-2 (effects of weathering/erosion, water on Earth’s features)

Week 8: Plant Adaptations

  • Activity: Harvest herbs and discuss aroma/leaf adaptations to sun and water
  • NGSS: 4-LS1-1 (structures support survival)

Week 9: Diversity of Crops

  • Activity: Harvest multiple varieties (e.g., cherry vs. beefsteak tomatoes)
  • NGSS: 5-LS2-1 (interdependent relationships in ecosystems)

Unit 4 – Human Connection to Food Systems (Weeks 10–12)

Week 10: Farm-to-Table Connection

  • Activity: Weigh and package harvested produce
  • NGSS: 5-PS3-1 (energy in food originates from the sun)

Week 11: Food Choices & Nutrition

  • Activity: Compare nutritional value of harvested crops (fruits vs. leafy greens)
  • CA Health Standards: Nutrition & Physical Activity (Gr. 4–8)

Week 12: Review & Celebration Harvest

  • Activity: Big U-Pick of fruits, vegetables, flowers
  • Reflection: Students share their “favorite plant” and what they learned
  • NGSS: MS-LS1-5 (environmental factors affect growth)

Learning Outcomes by Grade Bands

  • K–2: Recognize plant parts, seasonal patterns, and basic needs (sun, soil, water)
  • 3–5: Understand life cycles, habitats, and adaptations of plants in different conditions
  • 6–8: Explain interdependence of organisms, environmental effects on growth, and food energy
  • systems
  • 9–12: Connect regenerative farming practices to ecology, sustainability, and human health

Assessment & Engagement

  • Journals / Sketches: Students record weekly observations (drawing harvested items, labeling plant parts)
  • Discussion Prompts: What changes did you notice in the crops this week? Why do some plants grow faster than others?
  • Practical Check: Demonstrate safe harvesting of at least two different crops by semester’s end.

Pricing & Enrollment

Program Fee: $249/month per student

Includes:

  • Weekly 90-minute guided U-Pick session
  • Family membership (unlimited U-Pick access during open hours, $99/mo value)
  • Take-home herbs/produce/flowers each week
  • Sibling Discount: $149/month

Billing: Vendor invoices charter school directly.

Commitment: Month-to-month or semester enrollment.