Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center Organic Farm: A Curriculum Evaluation

Abstract

Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center (WRELC), located in Finland, MN, recently developed a new curriculum for their on-site organic farm. Using a one group pre-test/post-test design, this evaluative study investigated the effectiveness of the WRELC Organic Farm curriculum at enhancing participants’ knowledge of the food system. Mean knowledge scores collected from a quantitative survey significantly increased from pre- to post-test among all five knowledge domains measured. Additionally, there were few effects of demographic variables measured, indicating that this curriculum was generally effective for most participants. A qualitative interview with the instructor of the classes lent support to quantitative findings. Results from this study point toward an overall success of this curriculum at enhancing participants’ knowledge of the food system. Recommendations for WRELC were provided, and areas for future research were noted.