Learning Beyond Campus: Forman Partners with Arethusa Farm Foundation

This fall, Devin Burkhart, Cognition and Learning Teacher and Director of Town Funding, is leading small groups of students on visits to Arethusa Farm in Litchfield as part of a new addition to the Lion’s Den Bistro program.

“It’s one thing to read about agriculture and animal care in a textbook, but it’s an entirely different experience to step onto a working farm and learn by doing,” shares Devin. “Through our partnership with the Arethusa Farm Foundation, students have the opportunity to engage directly with the animals, experience the realities of farm life, and see firsthand how classroom concepts translate into the real world.”

He adds, “For students with learning differences, this hands-on approach is particularly meaningful. It provides opportunities to learn through observation, movement, and direct experience, while building confidence, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. The experience makes learning tangible, memorable, and relevant in ways that a textbook alone simply cannot. It has been a joy to see our students truly enjoy their time at Arethusa while also feeling a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment when we leave each day.”

View some photos below.