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Charles L. Bowers School Farm

About Bowers Farm

Charles L. Bowers School Farm was purchased in the mid-1960's by Bloomfield Hills Schools to be used as a land laboratory. We are housed on 90 acres within Bloomfield Hills.

Animals such as sheep, horses, llama and a donkey graze the pastures. We also house poultry of all types, rabbits and goats. Every animal has a purpose here at the farm and farm equipment is used daily to maintain the property as an educational agriculture production enterprise.

Charles L. Bowers Farm is open daily and year-round for various educational programs and community events.
 

MSU Partnership

Bowers School Farm is a proud partner of Michigan State University Extension. The latest research-based curriculum and experiential methodology inform the instructional design of our hands-on school and community programs.

Focusing on the process of science, educators from MSU enhance the unique learning experiences, activities and hands-on workshops at the farm. These experiences give students the opportunity to understand the interconnectedness between science, food, and our natural world.

Want to Visit Bowers Farm?

The farm offers educational field trips for schools interested in enhancing the classroom learning experience through authentic, place-based learning. Community organizations such as scouts, neighborhood associations, family and church groups can also sign-up to participate. Program topics include Plant Science, Animal Behavior, Sustainability, Harvesting, Conservation and Genetics to name a few. Programs with specific topics run at different times of the school year, range in duration and price and target different ages/groups.

If you prefer a more casual visit to Bowers Farm, we invite you to take a one-hour guided tour! Tours are scheduled in advance to allow for customized experiences for individuals and groups of virtually any size. Our Farm tour & wagon ride is an hour long and we ask for a minimum of 5 people. The cost is $10/person. We can still provide a tour & wagon ride for groups of less than 5, however the cost will then be a flat-fee of $50. If you'd like to schedule an educational program or a one-hour tour, please complete the online form or call us at 248.341.6475.

Community Events

Every year we host a fun-filled "Spring Fling & Pancake Breakfast" and a "Fall Festival" community event! Visit the Farm Programs & Events page for details.

Other Farm Happenings

We are happy to provide the following programs:

  • A 79-plot Community Garden for those interested in renting a garden plot
  • A Community Horse Program for those who have a love for horses and riding
  • A seasonal farm stand that is stocked with fresh veggies and eggs from our gardens and hens at Bowers Farm!
  • Room and Area Rentals - we are also pleased to rent areas of our facility to those looking to host a birthday party, wedding or baby shower and even have their wedding take place in our lovely gardens maintained by the MSU Master Gardeners!


Visit the Farm Programs & Events page for additional information or feel free to call 248.341.6475.

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    Save the Date! Spring Fling & Pancake Breakfast
    On Saturday, May 11, Bowers School Farm will host their annual Spring Fling Pancake Breakfast event from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. This will be a time for visitors to come to the farm and enjoy a variety of experiences, including a yummy pancake breakfast, open barns, craft making, and fun farm exhibits. Tickets can be purchased at www.bloomfield.org/spring. Sign-up early to get your preferred seating time, and enjoy all the farm has to offer! 
    Read more about Save the Date! Spring Fling & Pancake Breakfast
    Hanging On For Spring!
    Spring is almost here and the BHHS Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources students are already ahead of the curve by planting hanging baskets in our greenhouse! As a new fundraiser this year for our FFA chapter, our students will be raising Proven Winners petunias and other varieties of flowers to sell at the beginning of May.
     
    But these hanging baskets are more than just a fundraiser! This project is centered around the students investigating how urban agriculture has impacted both local and global communities. They serve as an integral part of the students Horticulture unit by having the students be the main caretakers of the baskets. Daily during class, they tend to all 140 baskets to ensure proper watering, fertilizing, pest management, and rotation to provide them the best access to sunlight.
     
    If you are interested in a hanging basket, we will start collecting pre-orders mid April. They are in limited supply, so stay tuned for more details! If you come by for a tour to see the farm, make sure you ask to stop into the greenhouse to see all the amazing growing that's going on in there!
    Read more about Hanging On For Spring!
    We Didn't Start The Trend. . . But Bowers Has You Covered!
    Did you know that Bowers Farm has numerous rental areas that would be ideal for any occasion?
     
    The newly renovated Farm Event Building has an open concept layout; perfect for a wedding, baby shower or a birthday party.
     
    The Learning Center space has a large room with an adjoining atrium; allowing ample room for a large get-together. 
     
    The farm's gardens boast a beautiful landscaped patio with a quaint gazebo; perfect for an intimate ceremony or small get-together.
     
    The 1800's Barton Farm House not only has a rich history, but also has an area that is ideal for small business meetings and includes a kitchen area for breakfast or lunch.
     
    In addition to the rental spaces, we offer full catering services from a casual pizza menu to an elegant sit-down meal. We can also add a program for your guests to experience the farm animals and gardens, a cozy bonfire or a nice wagon ride around the farm property. Please call (248) 341.6481 for more information or to schedule an appointment to view the rental spaces and acquire additional information.
    Read more about We Didn't Start The Trend. . . But Bowers Has You Covered!
    "Somebunny" to Love
    We want to welcome a Jersey Wooly buck rabbit named "Rock-it" to Bowers! He is 'smoked pearl' in color and very friendly. The Jersey Wooly is a wool breed which means it is prized for its super soft fur that sheds or that can be shorn. On average the breed weighs between 2.5 and 4 pounds making them a very manageable size for children. "Jersey Woolies are known for their friendly temperament. They come in a variety of colors and make excellent pets, 4-H projects, and are a hobby to many dedicated breeders", according to the National Jersey Wooly Rabbit Breeders Association, "originally developed in order to produce a small pet rabbit with wool that was easy to care for".
     
    Wool from rabbits, similar to sheep's wool, mohair, cashmere, silk, or other natural fibers are highly sought after. Rabbit wool is considered much warmer than sheep's wool, therefore is usually mixed with other fibers for comfort. For more information on Rock-it, or to learn more about the importance of rabbits in agriculture, visit https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/rabbits.
    Read more about "Somebunny" to Love
    Are You My Mother?
    Birmingham Schools first graders experienced all the farm has to offer in the Spring with our "Are You My Mother?" program. As they surveyed the farm, each group was given a "clue" for their group to guess who their "mother" animal was. Using those clues, they pieced together the puzzle to solve the mystery! Children explored the farm, observing how moms and babies were interacting; from nursing to egg laying, there was so much to learn about how they all grow. It's one of our most beloved programs that set the stage for young learners to explore the agricultural lessons here on the farm.
    Read more about Are You My Mother?
    Thank You, National Honor Society!
    The BHHS Honor Society had some of its members come out and volunteer to do some maintenance on the farm. This included wire brushing, washing, and repainting gates that are used for our traveling instructional exhibit. We are so thankful for their help. We encourage any other groups that are looking for volunteer opportunities to reach out to us. We have projects for all size groups!
    Read more about Thank You, National Honor Society!
    Calling All Volunteers: Camp Stewards Wanted!
    Are you a high schooler who is 14 or older? Do you love kids? Are you looking for a great way to spend your summer on the farm and help out as well?  The Bowers Farm Stewards Program is designed for high schoolers to become a mentor, friend, and volunteer during summer camps. As a Steward, students are committing to a minimum of 2 full weeks of camp, which run June 24 - August 23. Volunteer hours may count toward community service requirements. If you are interested in this exciting adventure, please contact Michelle Golembieski at mgolembieski@bloomfield.org for more information, or sign up online. 
    Read more about Calling All Volunteers: Camp Stewards Wanted!

    CLASS REGISTRATION


    REGISTER HERE FOR CLASSES!

    LOCATION


    Charles L. Bowers School Farm
    1219 East Square Lake Road
    Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

    To schedule a visit, please call:
    248.341.6481
    Monday-Friday
    between 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

    Bowers Farm is open daily for visits that are booked in advance. Walk-ins are allowed for designated community events only (see Fall Festival information).

    Want to book a visit to the farm? Take a guided tour! Please complete this online form or call 248.341.6481.

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    CONTACTS

    Alan Jaros
    Director
    248.341.6480
    AJaros@bloomfield.org

    Jackie Doran
    Program Coordinator
    (scheduling of programs, events and general questions)
    weekdays from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
    248.341.6481
    JDoran@bloomfield.org

    Jordan Hewitt
    Farm Site Coordinator
    weekdays from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
    248.310.9456
    JHewitt@bloomfield.org

    Rachel Duncan
    Farm Caretaker
    weekdays after 4:00 pm & weekends
    (248) 794.0450
    RDuncan@bloomfield.org

    Athletics, Recreation, and
    Community Services:
    248.433.0885

    Farm Guides

    • Kathleen Blust
    • Amy Cardin
    • Kelli Clifton
    • Michelle Golembieski
    • Jessica Lynn
    • Aliza Marks
    • Rajaa Sheena
    • Laurie Simonelli
    • Isabella Tillman
    • Amanda Wilhelm