On their fourth day, which happened on 20th September, the children arrived at the Farm Lab a little later than usual, since they had to finish their exams at school. But their excitement and curiosity were undimmed—they were eager to see what awaited them on the farm that day.

 Learning with Plastic Bottle Seed Starters

After gathering, the children were divided into two groups. One group stayed under the shade area, where they explored how everyday plastic bottles could be creatively reused for farming. Each child had brought three bottles cut at home, which were placed neatly in order. Into these containers, they carefully filled cocopeat—a light, spongy medium made from coconut husk. They learned not just how cocopeat is prepared, but also why it is so important: it helps seeds germinate by retaining moisture, providing aeration, and supporting the first tender roots.

Next came the exciting part: sowing seeds. Each child was given three different creeper seeds. At first, most could not identify what they were holding, but with a few hints and clues, the answers burst out—bitter gourd, bottle gourd, and ridge gourd! They even learned the names of these vegetables in Telugu, making the activity both fun and culturally rooted.

Pest Management and Neem Oil Spray

Meanwhile, the other group headed to their patches. There, they were introduced to the concept of pests—tiny creatures that can damage plants—and how farmers can protect their crops without chemicals. They discovered how neem oil, when mixed in the right proportion with water, becomes a powerful natural solution to control pests. Each child took turns preparing the mixture and spraying it gently on their plants. The joy was evident as they noticed their once-tiny saplings now grown into leafy greens, almost ready for harvest.

Mulching with Rice Straw

The learning didn’t stop there. After spraying neem oil, the children were guided to the vegetable beds, where they explored the practice of mulching. They discovered how natural materials like rice straw and fallen leaves could cover the soil to protect it. Mulching keeps the soil cool, conserves moisture, reduces weed growth, and prevents water evaporation. With great enthusiasm, the children spread rice straw around the vegetable patches, realizing how such simple steps can make farming more sustainable.

A Special Farm Friend and Snacks

Amidst all the activities, the children had a surprise visitor—the farm’s gentle cows. They gathered around curiously, some petting her softly, others watching them with wide eyes.

Before leaving, the children enjoyed their snacks under the shade, chatting about the day’s activities. It was clear from their laughter and stories that they had not only learned important farming techniques but had also deeply enjoyed the process.