Gifford Farm Services
Gifford Farm Education Center is a 400-acre farm owned and operated by ESU#3. Gifford Farm, offering agricultural curriculum and outdoor education to K-12 students, is located in Bellevue along the Missouri River and is surrounded by 1200 acres of riverfront and woodlands belonging to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Participation in Gifford Farm activities exceeds 30,000 visitors annually. Gifford Farm is a resource for community groups including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Youth Groups, Senior Citizens and families. Gifford Farm has a picnic area and provides several on-site programs including:
Farm Program (PreK-2nd grade) - This working farm offers a fun, hands-on experience while teaching children the importance of farming and where our food comes from. There are many farm animals to see, hear and touch. The Farm Program also offers an offsite experience, bringing smaller farm animals to visit you.
Outdoor Nature Classroom (Pre-K through 2nd grade) - Gifford Farm, in collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimension’s Educational Research Foundation, support the Omaha Metro area's first Outdoor Nature Classrooms here at Gifford Farm Education Center. This one acre fenced space on the farm offers students opportunities to connect with nature in unique learning and play areas, as well as offering multi-sensory experiences with nature, improved visual-spatial skills, and inspireing a sense of wonder. Students enjoy Nature Art, Nature Music and Dance, Nature Literature, Digging, Building and Climbing areas, and many opportunities for wonder and discovery.
Farm Birthday Parties are available, too! Enjoy a Farm Birthday Party, Nature Party, STARLAB Party, An Exotic Animals Party or our all new Party Challenge Low Rope Challenge Course party of older children (age 8 and up)
Animals on the Go - Farm - Some of the smaller farm animals will come to your school or facility for an exciting hands-on experience!
Friends of Discovery Programs - A Journey with Lewis and Clark (4th-6th grade) - STARLAB - The Celestial Navigation of Lewis and Clark (4th-6th grade) - The Discoveries of Lewis and Clark (4th-6th grade) - These programs offer a variety of experiences that help students understand the signifiance of Lewis and Clark's journey as well as the preparation required, the hardships and amazing achievements of the expedition.
STARLAB-Planetarium (K-8th) - An inflatable STARLAB launches students into an imaginative journey to the far away constellations of Greek mythology and Native American lore. Identify objects in the night sky! Participants learn to explore and navigate the night sky. Available at your school or on the farm!
Animals on the Go - Exotic or Farm Animals (preK-8th grade) - This program combines a fun, hands-on experience with fascinating information about exotic pets. Learn where these animals come from, how to take care of them and what makes them unique. Available at your school or on the farm!
Team Challenge, a Leadership Development program (6th grade-adult) and Kids’ Challenge, (3rd-6th grade) our newest program, incorporating team work, leadership and communication skills into challenging activities giving groups a chance to discover talents and abilities about themselves and the group. Team Challenges are available on the farm or at your school!
The Living History of the Plains (2nd-6th grade) - Enjoy the history of our area in this 2 hour program focusing on the lives of the pioneers. Attend a one-room schoolhouse, do chores in the cabin, visit the tipi, experience the underground railroad and shop at the trading post.
Outdoor Ed Days at Gifford Farm!! Experience an Outdoor Ed. Day at Gifford Farm! Enjoy all of our programs,or any combinations of our programs, including Farm, STARLAB, Animals on the Go-Exotic, Lewis and Clark, The Living History of the Plains, Team Challenge, Outdoor Nature Program, hayrides and more.
