CSA Signup Donate

Cooking for Middle Schoolers

This program is a unique opportunity for learning about and interacting with food here at Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center, where we have both a commercial kitchen and a production farm on site, as well as robust educational programming designed to bring awareness to our food system.

In this 5-week hands-on culinary program, 6th through 8th graders will gain confidence in the kitchen and expand their love and curiosity for food. Students will learn real-life skills like reading and converting recipes, weighing and measuring ingredients, keeping workspaces neat and organized, and using different tools and techniques.

“...My son has participated in every session for the last two years. Initially I thought he could just learn to cook from myself but I have come to realize that sometimes kids learn best from others. In the program, my son, a picky eater, tried foods he never would have eaten at home, felt free to experiment with different seasonings and met kids from other schools with similar interests. The staff is amazingly supportive and my son left each class feeling empowered and happily looking forward to the next one. It has been one of the most impactful activities my son has participated in.” —Thetford Parent, 2025

No previous cooking or baking experience is necessary, and dietary restrictions will be accommodated.

Questions? Call our farm office at 802-785-4737 during business hours, Monday to Friday. You can also email us at education@cedarcirclefarm.org.

SESSION 1: SEASON OF ABUNDANCE

Celebrate the bounty of the season in our “Season of Abundance" cooking class. In this session, chefs will be invited to harvest produce directly from the fields and use what we have in abundance to inform what they create for their dishes. 

Time: 3:45-5:30 pm
Cost: $165 for 5 classes. Financial support is available (see below).

MONDAY CLASSES: 

  • August 31
  • September 14, 21, 28
  • October 5
REGISTER

SESSION 2: FALL HARVEST

In our "Fall Harvest" cooking class, our young chefs will explore the vibrant colors, flavors, and traditions of autumn. From roasting root vegetables to baking with apples and pumpkins, students will learn to create cozy, seasonal dishes that highlight the best of the harvest. This class captures the spirit of fall!

Time: 3:45-5:30 pm
Cost: $165 for 5 classes. Financial support is available (see below).

MONDAY CLASSES: 

  • October 19, 26
  • November 2, 9, 16
register

SESSION 3: CHOPPED 1

We’ve had such a blast with ‘Chopped’ that we’re offering two sessions this year! Our session will play on the TV show ‘Chopped,’ where contestants are given mystery food ingredients that need to be incorporated into a main dish. We will learn the best of the cooking basics, but the true appeal of this session is our young chefs’ creativity and innovation, building one of a kind meals for one another to judge!

Time: 3:45-5:30 pm
Cost: $165 for 5 classes. Financial support is available (see below).

MONDAY CLASSES: 

  • January 4, 11, (No class Monday, Jan 18th), 25
  • February 1, 8
register

SESSION 4: BAKING

Get out your rolling pins and muffin tins, in this session our young chefs will be young bakers! Join us to make a variety of baked goodies, from pies to cakes, and brownies to cookies, our skills will rise to the occasion (get it? Rise?).

Time: 3:45-5:30 pm
Cost: $165 for 5 classes. Financial support is available (see below).

MONDAY CLASSES: 

  • March 8, (no class March 15), 22, 29 
  • April 5, 12
REGISTER

SESSION 5: CHOPPED 2

We’ve had such a blast with ‘Chopped’ that we’re offering two sessions this year! This session will also play on the TV show ‘Chopped,’ (much like our Chopped 1 offered earlier in the year) where contestants are given mystery food ingredients that need to be incorporated into a main dish. We will learn the best of the cooking basics, but the true appeal of this session is our young chefs’ creativity and innovation, as they build  one of a kind meals for one another to judge!

Time: 3:45-5:30 pm
Cost: $165 for 5 classes. Financial support is available (see below).

MONDAY CLASSES: 

  • May 3, 10, 17, 24, (no class Monday, May 31) 
  • June 7
REGISTER

Financial Support Options

​We strive to make Cooking for Middle Schoolers an experience that is accessible to all families. We have partial and full need-based financial support available to families for whom cost is a barrier to participation. We can also create a payment plan to split tuition up into multiple payments, whether you are receiving financial support or not.

To apply for financial assistance, please complete our Financial Assistance Application. 

Financial Assistance Application process:

  • Step 1 : Complete the Financial Assistance Application
  • Step 2: After you have submitted this form, the education team will process your application and send you a code via email. Note** this code is a one time use discount code for your program registration, do not lose it!
  • Step 3: Register for your program via our website. At the checkout, enter your discount code, submit payment (even if you're paying $0) to complete registration. 

Financial assistance must be requested per program.

If you have any questions about our financial assistance, please contact us at education@cedarcirclefarm.org or call (802) 785-4737 ext. 1004 to speak to the Education Department.

For your reference, click here for our Financial Support Guidelines for Education Programs.