Community

Pancake Breakfast & Spring Fling

Each April Bowers Farm hosts a fun-filled day of pancakes, animal visits, wagon rides, story time by the Bloomfield Twp. Public Library and a visit from the Bowers Bunny! The cost is $14/person; under 2 is free. There will be 5 seatings and registration through the Bloomfield Hills Recreation Dept. is required. Registration is available now by visiting www.bloomfield.org/recreation. We are hoping this event will soon become a family tradition!

Fall Festival

Each year Bowers Farm hosts a Fall Festival! Two days of fun-filled educational fall activities such as pumpkin picking, wagon rides, live music, concessions (including cider mill donuts and cider), wool spinning, animal visits, straw maze and other activities! Please click on the link above left corner of the home page for more information.

Personalized Events

Bowers School Farm is happy to provide a personalized program just for you and your group! The event can include numerous activities, possible room rental and fun on the farm!

We would be happy to host your birthday party, wedding or baby shower or even your wedding! Our gardens, maintained by the MSU Master Gardeners, create a beautiful setting for a ceremony. Please call for additional information.

Charles L. Bowers School Farm houses approximately 79 garden plots where gardeners can grow fresh vegetables, fruit and flowers while enjoying the outdoors. There is currently a waiting list for the community gardens. Please email your name and contact information to jdoran@bloomfield.org and we'll be sure to add your name to our waiting list. We will be in touch when a plot becomes available.

Plot Information

All of the garden plots are approximately 25' X 25'. Tilling takes place once in the spring. There is access to water for hand watering the plots.

Timing for Garden Use

Opening Day varies each year. It is all dependent on the weather. Wet plots and cold weather can delay the ability to plow the gardens and therefore delay the opening day. We ensure you that we do our best to get the plots ready for your use as soon as possible. The plots will be staked out and numbered in advance, leaving approximately 6" around the perimeter of the plot for wood chips to be used as a walking path.

Garden Keys

New gardeners may pick up their key in the farm office anytime between 8 am – 1 pm, Mondays through Fridays. There is a $5 fee for additional keys or to replace a lost key.

Cost and Payment

The cost for one season of gardening is $65. Payment is due when registration occurs. Plot assignment will be made when payment is received.

Farm Tours

Visit the Charles L. Bowers School Farm! Our basic farm tour is fun and educational and is designed for anyone who is interested in farm life. During this tour you will visit all of the animals in their natural settings while walking through barns and viewing them out in the pasture. We have sheep, goats, horses, poultry, rabbits, llama and pigs!

Guests will be able to participate in seasonal hands-on activities; possibly milking a goat or feeding a baby animal a bottle of milk, all while learning about the basic needs of animals and the roles they play on the farm.

The tour also includes a wagon ride around the farm property, giving you the opportunity to view other aspects of farming such as our crops which consist of a variety of fresh produce and numerous animals grazing throughout the fields.

Examples of groups that participate are school classrooms, families, scout troops, neighborhood groups, senior citizens and church groups, just to name a few.

Get a group together and book your tour today!

Duration: one hour
Cost: $10.00 per person, including adults

Educational Programs

Our educational programs are fun and interactive while teaching aspects of each grade level's state educational standards. The RECOMMENDED grade level is shown, but we can modify any program or activity to fit the needs of any grade or group.

Examples of groups that participate are school classrooms, families, scout troops, neighborhood groups, senior citizens and church groups, just to name a few.

We look forward to your visit – schedule your program today!

Duration: varies by program

Cost:
$10.00 per person, including adults.

Available Programs

• Farmer for a Day (kindergarten)
• Springtime at the Farm (kindergarten)
• Fall Fun & Facts (1st Grade)
• Are You My Mother? (1st Grade)
• Plant Science I (2nd Grade)
• Sustainability II (2nd Grade)
• Everyday Agriculture (3rd Grade)
• Harvest Program (4th Program)
• Animal Bodies & Behaviors (4th Grade)
• Heritage Program (5th Grade)
• Body Systems (5th Grade)
• Conservation (6th Grade)
• Genetics (7th Grade)

If you're unable to visit us at the farm, we'll be happy to bring our animals to you! We provide this service for an educational setting only, such as schools and libraries. We no longer provide this service for birthday parties, spring fairs, etc. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Single Animal Visit

Choose the animal, the time, and the place that you would like us to visit and we will do the rest! Some popular animal visits include a turkey around Thanksgiving and baby goats or lambs in the springtime. Our staff will present a hands-on educational experience for you and your group. Given the experiential nature of this program, it is best for a group of 20 or less. If you have more than 20 people, we suggest that you divide into groups in order to receive the full benefit of the program.

Duration: as long as you need us
Cost: $50 set-up fee, plus $25 for each ½ hour session

Mobile Farm Animal Presentations 

We'd be happy to bring a complete farm to you! The animals included in our traveling farm are a pony, a milking goat, two baby goats, a lamb, a rabbit and various poultry. We will tailor the educational experience to fit your needs. Information about each animal will be given, as well as interactive, educational demonstrations and activities.

Duration: as long as you need us
Cost: $300 for the first hour; $100 for each additional hour.

We are thrilled to host your next party, corporate event, business meeting, or wedding at the farm. 

Business Outings

Bowers School Farm can tailor a business outing just for your company. Maybe you're looking for an offsite meeting space for team retreat or a fun place to host a company wide day out. We can provide a number of experiences to meet your needs:

• Team-building leadership activities
• Family day on the farm
• Customer appreciation events
• Small business meetings
• Large professional development activity

We have numerous meeting spaces to meet your needs including a 1850's farmhouse boardroom or modern barn conference space.  Choose a space that meets your needs or rent the whole farm! Our expert team will take care of any food and beverage requests. 

Weddings

The Farm is the perfect location for your special day. Let our site serve as the backdrop for your special day. The beautiful horticultural gardens, rolling hills, and pastoral setting give you a setting unlike anywhere else! Call Jackie today at 248.341.6475 to learn more.