Organic Farming. Creative activity book for children. Good for nature, Placeholder Logo

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Natalie Hunter
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European Commission Agriculture and Rural Development www.organic-farming.europa.

1 European Commission Agriculture and Rural Development FoUR Seasons Creative activity book for children Organic Farming Good for nature, Good for you. Placeholder Logo

Life on an organic Farm An organic farm is a place where people live and work together to grow plants and raise animals so you and your family can enjoy delicious food and drinks.

2 Life on an organic Farm An organic farm is a place where people live and work together to grow plants and raise animals so you and your family can enjoy delicious food and drinks. Organic animals living on the farm, such as cows, pigs, chickens, goats and sheep, are treated with respect for their natural needs. Organic animals should have sufficient space on the farm and a natural diet to keep them fit and strong. Organic farmers also work hard to help plants grow healthily, mainly by using manure or compost found on the farm.the organic eggs you eat for breakfast and that are mixed into yummy cakes and cookies are gathered by an organic farmer. They come from hens that can happily peck around their yard and use comfy nests to lay their eggs undisturbed. When a farm is an organic farm, the farmer will follow special rules to make sure that the animals are kept healthy and happy. The rules also say that the farmer is responsible for protecting the environment. How do we know it s organic? How can I learn more about Organic Farming and its Products? Many organic farms have open days and farm shops. Ask your parents or teachers about it and suggest a trip to one of the farms. The organic farmer will surely be happy to show his farm to your class or your family. He will show you his animals and fields and explain what makes organic farming so special. You can also visit the Kids Corner on the Organic Farming website, Good for nature, good for you. You can find the website at eu, but please always ask your parents before surfing on the Internet. Finally, you can try all the fun activities described in this book and see what else you can do with organic food and materials. While trying all the craft ideas with your friends or at school, you will also have the chance to learn about organic farming and production. (If you can t find the organic products listed here, you can also use non-organic ones instead.) Have fun! Products coming from an organic farm that have been processed and turned into delicious organic cheese and sausages, jam, marmalade, juice or other organic food and drinks are specially labelled as organic, telling you where, how and by whom these goods were produced. This gives your parents a chance to choose delicious organic food and drinks for you. 2 3

Alien Eggheads Watch out! This spring, green-haired aliens are invading your kitchen! You can make your own alien egg head and watch how the cress seeds you plant sprout to make green hair.

3 Alien Eggheads Watch out! This spring, green-haired aliens are invading your kitchen! You can make your own alien egg head and watch how the cress seeds you plant sprout to make green hair. Organic eggs and the egg carton Coloured pens or markers Cotton balls Organic cress seeds 4 Spring 1. Carefully clean and dry several eggshell halves after a scrambled egg breakfast. Draw a crazy alien face on each eggshell. 2. Briefly soak balls of cotton in a bowl of water and put into the eggshells. Sprinkle cress seeds over the cotton balls. 3. Put the eggshells back into their carton and place it on a windowsill. 4. Over the next few days, keep the cotton moist and watch your aliens sprout green hair. When it s long enough, give them a haircut and put it in a salad or sandwich

Easy Going, Easy Growing Organic Basil Organic herbs, like basil, can be the easiest plants to grow especially in the springtime. Just sow the seeds, sit back and relax.

4 Easy Going, Easy Growing Organic Basil Organic herbs, like basil, can be the easiest plants to grow especially in the springtime. Just sow the seeds, sit back and relax. Small clay flowerpot A handful of small pebbles and soil from your garden or a park (ask your parents for permission before you dig!) Organic basil seeds A lollipop stick and a marker 6 Spring 1. Line the bottom of the pot with the small pebbles, and then add soil until the pot is ¾ full. Sprinkle on 5 6 seeds and lightly cover them with soil. 2. Put the pot in the sun, and keep the soil moist until the seeds sprout. Insert the lollipop stick into the soil. 3. Check the basil every couple of days, and mark how tall they ve grown on the lollipop stick. 4. You can start picking the basil as soon as it has several leaves. If you harvest frequently, you ll encourage your plants to grow even more which means even more tasty basil for you. Basil is delicious in tomato sauce or pesto!! Give it a try! 7

The Garden Detective Here is a great game for you and your friends to sharpen your senses and hone your detective skills using organic herbs. Herbs are plants such as parsley, basil and oregano.

5 The Garden Detective Here is a great game for you and your friends to sharpen your senses and hone your detective skills using organic herbs. Herbs are plants such as parsley, basil and oregano. Each herb has a distinct scent that often has a practical purpose too, such as attracting insects for pollination or protecting its leaves from pests. Insects can tell the difference, but is your nose keen enough to solve the mystery? Fresh organic herbs, like basil, thyme, rosemary, sage, mint, etc. A couple of friends 8 Summer 1. Ask your parents to help you and your friends collect some fresh organic herbs. 2. Take a branch or leaf of each organic herb and put it on the table. Smell each one and say its name aloud. Study it carefully! 3. Now close your eyes and have your friends give you one herb at a time. Try to identify the herb only through touch and smell. 4. After finishing your turn, let another friend test out his or her detective skills on the organic herbs. For an extra challenge, give two herbs to the detective and see how sharp their skills really are! 9

6 Apple Candleholders (Appropriate for children 6 years or older. Parental supervision recommended) Apples bring lots of vitamins and fibres into your diet to help you stay healthy and now they bring light too! You can help decorate your family s dinner tables with these funky candleholders made out of crisp, organic apples. Large organic apples that can stand upright on a table Candles Waxed paper A potato peeler and lemon juice 10 Summer 1. Using an apple corer make a hole in the middle of the apple, that is as wide as the candle and goes halfway down the apple s length ask an adult for help! Make the hole as straight as possible and remove the piece of core. 2. Insert a candle into the hole so it fits snugly. If the hole is too large, wrap waxed paper around the bottom of the candle. 3. Decorate the apples by carefully carving designs in the skin with the tip of the potato peeler (rub the designs with lemon juice to prevent the designs from turning brown). 4. Arrange the apple candleholders in a circle on a plate or cutting board, and place on the table. Always ask an adult to light the candles for you. 11

7 Autumn Memories Game The leaves are changing colours and soon the bare trees will be a daily reminder of winter. Here is a fun and simple game you can play with your friends to test your memory and to keep a part of this magical season with you through the cold months ahead. 10 cardboard cards of equal size Two heavy books Waxed paper and glue 12 Autumn 1. Collect a variety of different leaves from outside. Choose at least five pairs of leaves for example, two chestnut tree leaves, two oak leaves, etc. 2. Dry the leaves by laying them flat between two pieces of waxed paper and placing a heavy book on top of them. Set aside for 7 10 days. 3. When the leaves are completely dry, take the cardboard cards and carefully glue one leaf on each card. 4. Invite your friends over to play memory with you! 13

8 Showtime! Starring Corn Puppets Autumn is the time for organic corn, a vegetable packed with vitamins and other good stuff to make you strong. But organic corn is not only good to eat you can bring this golden vegetable to life as a show-stealing puppet. An ear of organic corn with the husk A wooden stick Felt coloured cardboard big seeds or nuts Glue 14 Autumn 1. Dry the corn in a warm place for a few days. 2. When they are dry, ask an adult to help you pierce a wooden stick into the flat end of the corn. 3. Leave the corn silk on the pointed end and carefully peel down the husks, but don t pull them off. This will be your puppet s collar. 4. Now let your imagination run wild! Use the coloured cardboard, felt, seeds, nuts and glue to make a face on your ear of corn 15

An Organic Food Restaurant for Birds! It s cold outside and the birds in your neighbourhood may have a hard time finding good things to eat. Why not open an organic food restaurant for them?

9 An Organic Food Restaurant for Birds! It s cold outside and the birds in your neighbourhood may have a hard time finding good things to eat. Why not open an organic food restaurant for them? An empty organic milk carton can become a chic place for birds to enjoy their meals. A clean, empty organic milk carton Scissors and paint Wood chips or small flat pieces of wood A wooden dowel or a thick, straight stick Organic birdseed 16 Winter 1. Paint the empty milk carton and let it dry. Then cut doors on opposite sides of the milk carton about halfway up the carton. 2. Glue the wood chips or pieces as tiles on the roof. For a perch, poke holes below the doors and slip the dowel or stick through them. 3. Fill the bottom of the feeder with birdseed mix or make your own by combining a variety of organic seeds, such as organic sunflower seeds and yellow corn. 4. With help from an adult, hang the feeder with wire in a spot that s easy to see, but far enough away from fences or posts to prevent attacks from predators. 17

Freezing Cold Sun Catcher During the long winter months, there is no better treat than a day of sunshine. Capture the sun s bright rays for yourself with this super cool sun catcher.

10 Freezing Cold Sun Catcher During the long winter months, there is no better treat than a day of sunshine. Capture the sun s bright rays for yourself with this super cool sun catcher. A shoelace or heavy string A disposable pie plate Water Scissors Organic oranges or lemons 18 Winter 1. Fold the shoelace or string in half and place the two ends across the centre of the pie plate. 2. Carefully peel the oranges and lemons so that the peel comes off in large pieces. Cut out one large circle for the sun and lots of long triangles as rays. 3. Arrange the sun and its rays into the pie plate, with the coloured side face up. Gently pour water into the plate until it is almost full. Place plate outside (if it s cold enough) or in your freezer. 4. Once it is frozen, remove the ice from the plate and have an adult hang it from a low branch where it can catch the sun. 19

INSTANT MEETING. Earth Day: Sparks Sunday April 22, 2018

INSTANT MEETING. Earth Day: Sparks Sunday April 22, 2018 Earth Day: Sparks Sunday April 22, 2018 Sparks Earth Day Instant Meeting This Earth Day, let s come together to protect our planet! Through this instant meeting, you ll learn about environmental justice