If you’ve passed through the Grayslake North Hub lately, you may have heard the soft “peep peep” of a new arrival, baby chicks. They’re part of a unique hands-on learning experience that blends agriculture, environmental science, and joy. And behind it all is Jeff Miller, affectionately known throughout the school community as “Farmer Jeff.”
A teacher, mentor, and passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture, Jeff Miller leads the Land, Environment, Animals, & Food (LEAF) classes (formerly known as Engineering a Sustainable Future (ESF) at Grayslake North and Central. He also guides student internships at the farm and coordinates a growing partnership with Liberty Prairie Farm, where students dig into real-world lessons, literally.
“The baby chicks are a favorite every year,” said Miller. “My students are responsible for monitoring them in incubation and helping welcome them into the world when they hatch. They now live in the Hub for a few weeks, where students care for them, study them, and just enjoy being around them. Eventually, they will transition to the farm where they’ll live with the goats, sheep, and other chickens. Students will see them again when they visit the farm!”
On October 4th, D127 students helped to run the Liberty Prairie Fall Farm Festival, a community event that offered hands-on experiences in farming, food systems, and sustainability. From working with animals to stocking, completing sales, and educating visitors about what we do on the farm, students were at the heart of the action.
“The students were amazing at sharing their knowledge and serving the community,” said Miller. “We could not have done it without them.”
Despite high temperatures, the event drew several hundred attendees and raised approximately $2,300 through sales and donations. It was a steady stream of visitors throughout the day, and D127 students stood out as confident ambassadors for everything they’ve been learning this semester.
Whether greeting guests, managing the register, or explaining farm processes, students took the lead and went home with fresh cider and pumpkins in hand as a token of appreciation for their efforts.
The work doesn’t stop at Fall Fest. Through the LEAF classes, FFA program, and student internships, D127 students cultivate more than crops; they develop skills in leadership, communication, sustainability, and community building. These hands-on learning opportunities reflect the district’s commitment to providing relevant, engaging, and authentic learning experiences, which continue throughout the year with events such as the Spring Plant Sale and Farm Festival.
“It’s fulfilling to see students connect with nature, each other, and their own potential,” said Miller. “Whether they go into agriculture or something entirely different, they’re learning how to make a difference in their community.”