Preschoolers from Deane-Porter Elementary watched Forrestdale eighth graders explain how to make apple cider. The apples were grown on Forrestdale Farm, part of the school’s STEM Agriculture program. Courtesy Forrestdale School
RUMSON – The Forrestdale Farm buzzed with fall excitement when eighth-grade students in the school’s STEM Agriculture program welcomed special visitors: the district’s youngest Bulldog Pups, preschool students from Deane-Porter Elementary School. The Oct. 13 visit kicked off a week of hands-on fall harvest experiences designed to connect students across grade levels through agriculture, experiential learning and community.
During their visit, the preschoolers strolled to Forrestdale Farm, where they joined the eighth graders for an up-close look at the apple cider-making process. The young visitors picked apples, placed them in the grinder and watched them break down in preparation for cider production. With guidance from their older Bulldog buddies, the preschoolers then watched as the eighth-grade students transformed the freshly harvested apples into delicious apple cider.
The experience concluded with a special fall treat: fresh apple cider with dehydrated apple chips made from apples grown at the Forrestdale Farm, giving students a taste of the harvest they had just helped bring to life.
Beyond the seasonal fun, the event gave students a meaningful opportunity to learn by doing. For the eighth graders, the experience provided a chance to apply their agricultural knowledge, demonstrate the farm-to-table process, and serve as mentors to the district’s youngest learners. For the preschool students, it was an exciting introduction to where food comes from and how fresh ingredients can be transformed into something delicious.
The apple cider experience continued throughout the week, offering more opportunities to celebrate the fall season and showcase the learning happening through Forrestdale’s STEM Agriculture program.
The Forrestdale Farm continues to serve as a living classroom, bringing STEM concepts to life through hands-on experiences in sustainability, agriculture and food production. Events like this highlight the power of cross-grade collaboration and the connections that make the Rumson School District community special.
At Forrestdale, the Bulldog spirit starts young; at this event, it came with a little apple cider, a taste of the harvest and a whole lot of learning.
This article originally appeared in the October 22-28, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
