Upcoming Events
Pre-Sales Michigan Native Plants
MICHIGAN NATIVE PLANT SALE PRE-SALE CUTOFF
Help us support our local ecosystems with native plants in your garden this year! Join Bowers School Farm and East
Michigan Native Plants for our 2024 Michigan Native Plant Sale. We have a wide variety of grasses and wildflowers for purchase with some changes from last year.
Pre-order your plants today for pick-up in May. We are selling 2.5" junior sizes at $5 each. The kits are a tray of 2.5" pot size with 32 plants and come with a design plan for $99.
Pick-up is on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 10am - 2pm during Open Barn.
All proceeds from the Michigan Native Plant Sale will support the Master Gardeners of Oakland County who volunteer to provide our horticultural gardens.
Below is a representative listing of native plants. Actual availability may differ on the order form.
Farm Kitchen & Store Fridays-Saturdays 9a-8p
We have baked goods, ice cream, farm meats and produce. Stop in for some farm fresh edibles and gifts.
Farm Kitchen & Store: Fridays and Saturdays at 9a-8p
Open Barn is open on Fridays at 4p - 8p, and Saturdays at 9a-8p.
Open Barn Fridays
Bowers School Farm is a learning environment offering authentic experiences throughout one's time on the property. Each visit will be different from the previous, though the constant will always be a wagon ride, a fan favorite! Come back weekly to see animal and plant growth, get to know our farmers, and find a place that helps you understand the land we live on a little bit more.
Open Barn Hours: 4p - 8p on Fridays
Farm Kitchen & Store Hours: 9a-8p on Fridays and Saturdays
Open Barn Fees:
$10 per person (1 yr. and under - free)
$9 per person for seniors (65+), active military (ID required)
Farm Members - Free
*Daily tickets may be purchased when you arrive.
Open Barn Saturdays
Bowers School Farm is a learning environment offering authentic experiences throughout one's time on the property. Each visit will be different from the previous, though the constant will always be a wagon ride, a fan favorite! Come back weekly to see animal and plant growth, get to know our farmers, and find a place that helps you understand the land we live on a little bit more.
Open Barn Hours: 4p - 8p on Fridays
Farm Kitchen & Store Hours: 9a-8p on Fridays and Saturdays
Open Barn Fees:
$10 per person (1 yr. and under - free)
$9 per person for seniors (65+), active military (ID required)
Farm Members - Free
*Daily tickets may be purchased when you arrive.
Farm Investigations: Make the Most of Compost (K-5)
Farm Investigations Series: Make the Most of Compost (Grades K-2 & 3-5)
What IS compost and why is it so cool? Kids will check out our steaming hot compost pile at the farm to learn about all the microbes using scientific tools such as a microscope. They will also explore the inner workings of a worm farm and discover the benefits they provide to our soil.
Hold Your Horses series (age 11-14 yr)
Hold Your Horses (Ages 11-14 yr old)
This 2-part program is designed to provide a foundation for working successfully with and around horses. Participants will gain new insights and skills that will enrich their time spent with and around horses and make them more proficient in their care and safety.
Ages: 11-14 yr old
DATE/TIME
5/11 and 5/18 at 930a-11a
Mane to Tail - Horses & Ponies (ages 4-8)
Mane to Tail with Ponies and Horses (ages 4-8 yrs old)
Join us in an introductory program for your child ages 4 - 8 years old whom can experience the basics around horses and ponies. This is a 3-week program with 1-hour classes scheduled each week.
Your child will be shown how to safely be around horses and ponies, including approaching the animals, properly brushing and tacking an animal, and the general care for horses and ponies. The instructor will teach basic riding of a horse or pony while an adult family member leads and acts as a spotter during the riding segment.
This is not a drop off program. An adult parent/legal guardian must attend with the child in a hands on capacity. No siblings or other children are allowed.
All activities will be outside in the barn or riding arena so you must dress for any weather.
General Rules and Guidelines:
Closed-toed shoes that cover the entire foot and are secured to the foot are required for anyone who is on the property, including parents or guardians.
It is preferred that riders wear closed toed boots with a small heal, and nothing with a zipper on the inside of the leg for the comfort of the animals.
Riders must wear long pants that cover their legs and ankles. If boots are worn, long pants must cover the top portion of the boot. No shorts, capris, or skirts allowed.
Parents must stay with their child and the program group at all times and offer assistance.
Please make sure everyone is dressed for weather. We will be outside in any type of weather and will cancel only if it is deemed unsafe.
Siblings or other children are not allowed to attend the program. Only the child registrant and their adult parent/guardian.
If we need to cancel due to unsafe conditions, we will contact you by email as early as possible prior to class. Please check your emails before coming out to the farm.
There are no refunds once registered. There are no makeups or credits for any missed or tardy class dates. There are no changes to a different time for missed classes.
We have a limited number of spots available to ensure the best experience.
Diverse Learners Day at the Farm
Diverse Learners Day at the Farm
Join us to welcome our new baby animals to the farm and help a bit with chores.
This specialized program is designed for children with special needs and 2 family members. It provides a more accessible, supported experience for the child and their family that might otherwise be challenging due to complex learning needs or challenges (i.e. sensory needs, language impairments, emotional, behavioral, or cognitive learning challenges, physical needs, etc.). Each session will provide families with various interactive activities for engagement.
Farm School (ages 3-10) - select Sundays
Farm School
Ages 3 - 10
An immersive, hands-on, getting dirty, learning big, and exploring what it takes to help keep the farm buzzing along! It takes many hands to make light work and YOU get to be part of the team!
Ages 3-5: One parents and/or caregiver is required to attend with their child. (included in registration cost)
Ages 6-10: Kids are to be dropped off and attend without a parent.
Individual Dates available June - August 2024. Register for one today!
View the calendar and register HERE.
Hop into Summer (ages 3-5)
Hop Into Summer (ages 3-5 yr old with a parent or adult)
Summer is nearly here! Hop on over to Bowers to see what’s buzzing. We will learn about our bee hives and sample honey, gather farm-fresh eggs, visit the garden to see what’s growing, and visit our favorite four-legged (and two-legged) farm friends. We’ll wrap up the day with a wagon ride around the pasture, and share a summer-themed story.
Ages 3-5 w/adult
Dates available June 10-14
FFA Flower Basket Pre-Sale
Support the FFA Bowers Farm chapter by purchasing you flower baskets which have been seeded and cared for by our students. All proceeds support FFA.
Flowers are Proven Winners and planted in 12” hanging baskets for $35 each.
Various color and varieties available.
Pre-order your basket before May 2 to ensure availability.
Remaining baskets may be purchased at our Farm store.
Pick up of the basket is May 3 at 9a - 7p.
Literature at the Farm: the Hike
Literature at the Farm (Grades 2-5)
Books! Food! Creative Writing! Farm fun! What could be better? This program focuses on bringing literature to life on the farm. Students will read an award-winning book, participate in farm-related activities, and then create a very special book of their own. Our book for this spring session will be The Hike by Alison Farrell
Grades: 2-5
Hold Your Horses series (age 11-14 yr)
Hold Your Horses (Ages 11-14 yr old)
This 2-part program is designed to provide a foundation for working successfully with and around horses. Participants will gain new insights and skills that will enrich their time spent with and around horses and make them more proficient in their care and safety.
Ages: 11-14 yr old
DATE/TIME
4/20/2024 9:30 AM - 11:00 PM
4/27/2024 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Farm Investigations: Use Less, Grow More! (Grades 3-5)
Farm Investigations Series: Love Your Local Farm (Grades K-2 & 3-5)
Join us for projects and experiments to celebrate our beautiful planet! We will get out our shovels and explore how certain materials break down in the “soil food web.” Kids will create a healthy soil mix for their seed of choice and get creative by making an “urban pack kit” that can be used for lunches or meals on the go (a great alternative to single-use plastics).
Springtime on the Farm (SOLD OUT)
Springtime on the Farm (ages 3-5 yr old with a parent or adult)
Spring has finally arrived and there is no better time to be at the farm! Come visit all the new animal babies (we'll have chicks!), share a farm-themed story, and learn about animal care. Children will use their senses to discover seasonal happenings around the farm. We will check out the garden spaces, create a paper pot, and plant a seed to take home. Finally, we'll enjoy a wagon ride around the farm to finish out our morning. Join us with your favorite toddler.
Ages 3-5 w/adult
Dates available: April 3 morning, April 11 morning, or April 18 (morning or afternoon)
Diverse Learners Day at the Farm
Diverse Learners Day at the Farm!
Come explore spring on the farm- early gardens, growing animal babies and maybe a wagon ride (depending on the weather)
This specialized program is designed for children with special needs and 2 family members. It provides a more accessible, supported experience for the child and their family that might otherwise be challenging due to complex learning needs or challenges (i.e. sensory needs, language impairments, emotional, behavioral, or cognitive learning challenges, physical needs, etc.). Each session will provide families with various interactive activities for engagement.
Springtime on the Farm
Springtime on the Farm (ages 3-5 yr old with a parent or adult)
Spring has finally arrived and there is no better time to be at the farm! Come visit all the new animal babies (we'll have chicks!), share a farm-themed story, and learn about animal care. Children will use their senses to discover seasonal happenings around the farm. We will check out the garden spaces, create a paper pot, and plant a seed to take home. Finally, we'll enjoy a wagon ride around the farm to finish out our morning. Join us with your favorite toddler.
Ages 3-5 w/adult
Dates available: April 3 morning, April 11 morning, or April 18 (morning or afternoon)
Open Barn & Farm Kitchen/Store
Bowers School Farm is a learning environment offering authentic experiences throughout one's time on the property. Each visit will be different from the previous, though the constant will always be a wagon ride, a fan favorite! Come back weekly to see animal and plant growth, get to know our farmers, and find a place that helps you understand the land we live on a little bit more.
Saturday Open Barn Hours: 9a - 8p
Farm Kitchen & Store Hours: 9a-9p
Open Barn Fees:
$10 per person (1 yr. and under - free)
$9 per person for seniors (65+), active military (ID required)
Farm Members - Free
*Daily tickets may be purchased when you arrive.
Open Barn & Farm Kitchen/Store begin
Bowers School Farm is a learning environment offering authentic experiences throughout one's time on the property. Each visit will be different from the previous, though the constant will always be a wagon ride, a fan favorite! Come back weekly to see animal and plant growth, get to know our farmers, and find a place that helps you understand the land we live on a little bit more.
Friday Open Barn Hours: 4p - 8p
Farm Kitchen & Store Hours: 9a-9p
Open Barn Fees:
$10 per person (1 yr. and under - free)
$9 per person for seniors (65+), active military (ID required)
Farm Members - Free
*Daily tickets may be purchased when you arrive.
Intro to Gardening and Soil Health
Intro to Gardening & Soil Health
(Ages 16 yrs through adults)
In this introductory course for community adults and teens, we will explore successful strategies for small-scale gardening in Michigan climates and present best practices for improving soil health by utilizing compost. This hands-on series of classes will help you prepare a space for growing various plants. Program includes 2 parts on different days.
Ages: 16 through adult
Thursday 4/4 Compost Focus
Thursday 4/11 Garden Focus
Master Gardener VOLUNTEER orientation meeting
This week we will hold an orientation meeting for those EMG’s wanting to volunteer at Bowers Farm this year. As a reminder, volunteer days will be on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. We are hoping to have many new volunteers this year, with special projects coming up. The Children’s Discovery Garden, Phase 1 will kick off, and there’s a lot of excitement around the farm. It’s a GREAT place to volunteer if you love the farm life.
If you are interested in volunteering in our gardens at Bowers Farm please attend the following welcome meeting. Please enter the parking lot at the top of the hill by the Bowers Academy and Visitor Center.
Thursday, April 4th at 6 PM
Charles Bowers School Farm
1219 East Square Lake Road
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Bowers Academy Classroom
RSVP to Nancy at nancy.c.s@comcast.net
Springtime on the Farm
Springtime on the Farm (ages 3-5 yr old with a parent or adult)
Spring has finally arrived and there is no better time to be at the farm! Come visit all the new animal babies (we'll have chicks!), share a farm-themed story, and learn about animal care. Children will use their senses to discover seasonal happenings around the farm. We will check out the garden spaces, create a paper pot, and plant a seed to take home. Finally, we'll enjoy a wagon ride around the farm to finish out our morning. Join us with your favorite toddler.
Ages 3-5 w/adult
Dates available: April 3 morning, April 11 morning, or April 18 (morning or afternoon)
Harvest Club Registration
Share in the bounty of our harvest and enjoy a great deal on fresh produce in our Harvest Club
A mash up of a traditional CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and a modern subscription plan; the Harvest Club is great way to source fresh and local produce for your family while supporting Bowers School Farm.
Why you’ll love it
A great deal on fresh produce grown right here on the farm
The flexibility to choose the vegetables you’d like to pick up whenever the farm store is open
An opportunity to get more in touch with the seasons by eating what we grow in our own local climate
A great way to support Bowers School Farm while eating well
Farm Investigations: Wooly Workshop
Farm Investigations Series: Wooly Workshop
A scientific exploration of wool and sheep! Students will investigate our sheep and learn about the uses and properties of wool through a variety of crafts and hands-on experiments.
Grades: K-2 and 3-5
Winter Birth Celebration
Winter Birth Celebration at the Farm
Come and see what has been born this winter and meet the new baby animals at the farm!
Take a Peek at the piglets!
Say Hello to the kids (goats)!
Envy the lambs with their growing wool coats!
$12 pp
Farm Investigations: Love Your Local Farm
Farm Investigations Series: Love Your Local Farm (Grades K-2 & 3-5)
Come and share the love on the farm! See our new babies and investigate the barns. Create valentines for yourself and some to spread the joy to a local senior center. While you're creating, enjoy a warm cup of cocoa and a farm-fresh donut.
Winter Birth Celebration
Winter Birth Celebration at the Farm
Come and see what has been born this winter and meet the new baby animals at the farm!
Take a Peek at the piglets!
Say Hello to the kids (goats)!
Envy the lambs with their growing wool coats!
$12 pp
Diverse Learners Day at the Farm
Diverse Learners Day at the Farm - Winter Birth Celebration!
Join us to welcome our new baby animals to the farm and help a bit with chores.
This specialized program is designed for children with special needs and 2 family members. It provides a more accessible, supported experience for the child and their family that might otherwise be challenging due to complex learning needs or challenges (i.e. sensory needs, language impairments, emotional, behavioral, or cognitive learning challenges, physical needs, etc.). Each session will provide families with various interactive activities for engagement.
Intro to Gardening and Soil Health
Intro to Gardening & Soil Health
(Ages 16 yrs through adults)
In this introductory course for community adults and teens, we will explore successful strategies for small-scale gardening in Michigan climates and present best practices for improving soil health by utilizing compost. This hands-on series of classes will help you prepare a space for growing various plants. Program includes 2 parts on different days.
Ages: 16 through adult
Saturday 2/3 Compost Focus
Saturday 2/10 Garden Focus
GOLDEN HOUR Professional Photo Session
Attention Local Professional Photographers!
*Professional means insured
A special invitation for a new golden hour location for your summer mini sessions! Utilize a variety of colors, different textures, and layers of natural beauty!
Details:
$150 for 1 hour in Bowers School Farm Flower Patch
Select one of the available days (Aug. 14-21), and either the 6p or 7p time slot at registration
1 photographer only per slot
Time schedule strictly enforced. Session time can not be extended
Photo sessions are on weekdays only
Limited to a group of 5 subjects/models max
Time slots are approximately 2 hours before sunset.
Explore the variety of colors, different textures, and layers of natural beauty! Bathrooms are available on-site. Due to the limited time access, please encourage your clients to come fully ready for their photo session time.
Access is through a growing space which means uneven ground and at a distance of more than 1000 feet from the parking area. High heels are discouraged.
There are no refunds for missed appointments. Refunds and reschedules for bad weather are at the discretion of Bowers School Farm.
Open Barn
Bowers School Farm is a learning environment offering authentic experiences throughout one's time on the property. Each visit will be different from the previous, though the constant will always be a wagon ride, a fan favorite! Come back weekly to see animal and plant growth, get to know our farmers, and find a place that helps you understand the land we live on a little bit more.
Open Barn Hours: 9a - 3p
Farm Kitchen & Store Hours: 9a-4p
Open Barn Fees:
$10 per person (1 yr. and under - free)
$9 per person for seniors (65+), active military (ID required)
Farm Members - Free
*Daily tickets may be purchased when you arrive.
Farm Kitchen & Store OPEN
We have ice cream, prepared foods and produce available. Stop in for some farm fresh edibles and gifts.
Farm Kitchen & Store: 9a-4p
Open Barn is closed today.
Open Barn CLOSED
Open Barn is closed today in lieu of the Oakland County Fair. Please visit the fair for fun and to see Bowers animals and staff. You may still visit the Farm Kitchen & Store.
Farm Kitchen & Store Hours: 9a-4p
Michigan Native Plants Pick-up & Sale
Michigan Native Plant Sale
Help us support our local ecosystems with native plants in your garden this year! Join Bowers School Farm and East
Michigan Native Plants for our 2023 Michigan Native Plant Sale. We have a wide variety of grasses and wildflowers for purchase.
Pre-order your plants before May 12 for the best selection. You may also purchase select plants on the pick up day.
Pick-up is on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 9am - 3pm during Open Barn.
All proceeds from the Michigan Native Plant Sale will support the Master Gardeners of Oakland County who maintain our horticultural gardens near the Visitor Center.
Learn more about Open Barn HERE.
Open Barn tickets: $10 per person.
Tree-Plenish Planting Day
Join us on May 6th at Bowers Farm for a planting event!
130 new trees will be planted on your farm to help reduce carbon emission and reduce the noise coming from I-75.
Most of our trees are sugar maple that will be used to tap for sap when they mature.
FFA Flower Basket Pickup & Sale
FFA is kicking off its annual fundraising Flower Basket Sale! You can purchase online today and pick up your baskets at Bowers Farm during open hours on May 6 at 9a-4p.
There is limited inventory. We have still have some flower baskets remaining for sale in our Farm Store (open Friday - Sunday at 9am-4pm in May).
$35 for 12” basket.
FFA Flower Basket Pre-Order
FFA is kicking off its annual fundraising Flower Basket Sale! You can purchase online today and pick up your baskets at Bowers Farm during open hours on May 6 at 9a-4p.
There is limited inventory, so purchase early for best selection and availability.
$35 for 12” basket.
Earth Day Celebrations @ Johnson Nature Center
Earth Day Celebrations
Visit Bowers School Farm and Johnson Nature Center for their Earth Day Celebrations.