Earlier this month, SIATech Indio, Moreno Valley, and Perris took a field trip to the Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm.
This was a Work Based Learning opportunity for students to observe a seasonal small business in operation.
Owner/Operator Wilhelmina (Willie) Palmer spent time with our group telling the story of how the business started and grew to its present size of 40 acres. She was very proud of her student workers, hired each August, and their real world job experience. Her young employees were able to gain experience with the core skills that would set them up for success in future employment opportunities.
Students entered the pumpkin garden via the pumpkin arch, which led them to various rides attractions. Some favorites being the Corn Maze and the Pumpkin Blaster which shot small pumpkins via a pneumatic cannon over 100 feet at targets positioned on a nearby hillside.
A lively discussion with the students on the way home centered around the topic of doing a SWOT analysis of the business. Students weighed in on what were the business’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Overall students walked away with a new understanding on the operation of a business and enjoyed a fun, eventful day as well.
