Farmers Market In-State Collection
A local farmers market is an exceptional example of a summer learning environment that facilitates many examples of functional and everyday literacy learning. It provides a rich and immersive context for children to learn and practice problem solving skills, social skills, and critical and computational thinking, all while encouraging intergenerational exchanges about the food we eat and the trades we need.
For two summers, families were immersed in the learning themes of everyday literacy every other week through a partnership between Iowa PBS and the Perry Public Library in Perry, Iowa. The program provided recipes, conversation games, puzzles and brainteasers, guessing games, vegetable samples, STEM activities and $10 for each participating child at the Perry Chamber of Commerce's weekly farmers market.
Program resources available include recipes, conversation games, puzzles and brainteasers, guessing games, STEM activities and more.
- Twelve weeks' worth of activities (available in English and Spanish) that will help make your local farmers market more educational and family-friendly.
- A detailed program guide explaining each activity and its desired learning impacts, facilitation suggestions, and adaptations are also provided.
- Recipe suggestions that may be copied and pasted into the provided recipe template.
If you use one or more of our activities, please take our survey. Your answers help us fund this project and keep it going for families and children.
Activities
Farm Safety
Print this four page colorable activity book to each children about farm safety. Available in English and Spanish.
Farmers Market Buck
Allow children to earn Market Bucks that can be spent on items at the farmers market.
Farmers Market Color by Number
Color by number using addition and subtraction or multiplication and division. Available in English and Spanish.
Farmers Market Garden Crossword
Test your gardening knowledge and spelling skills by completing these crossword puzzles. Available in English and Spanish.
Farmers Market Mapping
Use this template to create your own map reading activity.
Farmers Market Marketing Poster
Use this poster to encourage people to come learn and play with PBS at the farmers market.
Farmers Market Matching and Sorting
Match the food with its main ingredient and sort fruits and vegetables.
Farmers Market Rainbow Treasure Hunt
Search for items at the farmers market that match each color of the rainbow. Available in English and Spanish.
Farmers Market Recipe Template
Use this template to create new recipes to share each week.
Farmers Market Story Problem Jar
Print, cut and place in a jar for random story problem fun. Available in English and Spanish.
Farmers Market Vendor Conversation Starter Bingo
Strike up a conversation with vendors at the farmers market. Two different cards are included, both in English and Spanish.
Farmers Market Word Search
Find the word in the puzzle. Available in English and Spanish.
Graphing Data at the Farmers Market
Count things you see and hear while you are at the market, then create a bar graph to illustrate the data you collected. Available in English and Spanish.
Market Bucks Spending Log
Keep track of the market bucks you earn and spend by completing activities. Available in English and Spanish.