Year: 2025

07 Apr 2025

Flourishing Arts & Environment Education at Greenacres Lewis Township

Flourishing Arts & Environment Education at Greenacres Lewis Township

Greenacres Lewis Township is growing! We’re on track to welcome over 2,800 learners in 2025, marking a significant milestone in our mission to provide high-quality environment and arts education to the community. Through new school and community partnerships, expanded programming, and enhanced arts initiatives, we’re creating meaningful learning experiences that engage students and support educators.

New Programs: The Arts Take Center Stage

This year, we introduced Arts-only as well as hybrid Environment Education + Arts programs, thoughtfully designed to meet Ohio State Standards across Fine Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Social-Emotional Learning. These programs offer students hands-on, immersive arts experiences that encourage creativity and a deeper connection to the world around them.

Our Arts Education team, based at our Cincinnati campus, has been instrumental in shaping these programs. Sophie Kussman, a dedicated Arts Educator, has led the expansion, bringing her passion for visual and performing arts to Lewis Township. Programs like Art for the Heart—which blends art, music, and mindful movement—are already making an impact, supporting students’ emotional well-being and artistic expression.

Expanding Access: More Schools, More Learners

We are excited to welcome an increasing number of schools and organizations to Greenacres Lewis Township, providing more students with the opportunity to experience hands-on, outdoor learning in a meaningful way. Schools from Brown, Clermont, Adams, and Clinton counties continue to join us for field trips, summer camps, and special programs, with even more schools already scheduled for the upcoming year. As we grow, so do the opportunities for students to connect with nature and the arts, engage in meaningful learning experiences, and explore the world around them.

Growing Partnerships, Expanding Opportunities at Greenacres Lewis Township

At Greenacres Lewis Township, we are proud to welcome more schools, homeschool groups, and young leaders into our growing community of learners. Our commitment to hands-on, immersive education continues to resonate with educators, students, and families alike.

✅ New & Returning School Partnerships
Our reach is expanding, with both returning schools and new partnerships joining us for unforgettable nature-based and arts-integrated learning experiences:

      • Felicity K-8 has committed to the 2025-2026 school year, with most grades visiting twice for even more in-depth learning.

 

      • Hill Intermediate (Bethel-Tate District) has made our 4th-grade fossil program a tradition since 2019—a testament to the lasting impact of our field trips.

 

      • Mt. Orab Elementary & Middle sent multiple grades this year, with exciting plans to expand their participation.

 

      • St. Michael School in Ripley joined us for the first time and is already planning to bring students from K-8 next year—a growing partnership we’re thrilled to cultivate.

✅ Growing Interest in Homeschool Programs
Due to increased demand, we’ve added a second homeschool group to our field trip roster, ensuring more families have access to engaging, nature-based education in a dynamic, hands-on setting.

✅ Leaders in Training (LITs) – A New Summer Opportunity for Teens
We’re excited to introduce our Leaders in Training (LITs) program, offering volunteer leadership opportunities for 14-17-year-olds at our summer camps. This initiative provides teens with the chance to develop leadership skills, gain hands-on experience working with younger campers, and build confidence in an outdoor learning environment. Learn more and apply today: Leaders in Training Program

As our Lewis Township Education Center continues to grow, we invite even more schools and students to join us. With a capacity of 5,500 learners in 2025, there’s still room for your class to explore, learn, and connect with nature and the arts. Schedule a field trip today!

STEAM Partnerships: Strengthening Our Community

Greenacres continues to collaborate with Brown County ESC to support local educators and students through STEAM (Strategies To Engage All Minds) initiatives. This year, we plan to participate in:

      • Little State STEAM, an exposure event for middle schoolers.
      • STEAMology, a two-week summer professional development opportunity for teachers.

Our presence at community events has also expanded, including participation at Georgetown Elementary, Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington Elementary, Eastern High School, and Hamersville Elementary-Middle School. We’re committed to enriching education in our community and providing teachers with valuable resources and experiences.

This chart represents Total Attendance at Greenacres Lewis Township (2019-2025), with a 2025 capacity of 5,500 learners. We have more room for your school or class to explore and learn with us—schedule a field trip today!
This chart represents Total Attendance at Greenacres Lewis Township (2019-2025), with a 2025 capacity of 5,500 learners. We have more room for your school or class to explore and learn with us—schedule a field trip today!

Why Educators Love Greenacres

Teachers and administrators continue to choose Greenacres for field trips because of our engaging programs, alignment with classroom curriculum, and accessibility. Here’s what they’re saying:

      • “Being in Brown County, attending field trips in Cincinnati can be a challenge due to time restraints. Having the Lewis Township location makes the bus ride much shorter. I also enjoy that our school is the only school there! The students received lots of small group attention. The trip was well-organized, and the staff was very knowledgeable. Financially, this trip is wonderful, too—we did not have to worry about any students who couldn’t pay a fee to attend. Thank you for providing this great experience close to us!”
        — Mt. Orab Elementary School

 

      • “We came because we were looking for a new field trip experience. Many of our students are low-income, so the fact that they did not have to pay an entrance fee was appealing. Also, we were so thankful to receive a grant that covered our bussing. I was referred by a parent who attended a field trip as a chaperone last school year. We will definitely be returning next school year!”
        — Mt. Orab Elementary School

 

      • “We love Greenacres across the board. I love that I can find excellent enrichment content so close to the school and that we can detail our goals/objectives for the trip, and the Greenacres team delivers.”
        — Western Brown – Hamersville School

 

      • “Greenacres is close to our school, is free, provides the standards we are covering, and offers an amazing topic to interest kids in learning (maple syrup).”
        — Georgetown Elementary School

 

      • “It was local and affordable for our school, making the field trip possible. Many students don’t get outdoors and get to see a lot of things in nature!”
        — Western Brown Local School

 

      • “We bring our students to Greenacres to get the outside learning experience, hands-on activities, and multiple ways of learning.”
        — Western Brown Gifted Trip 1

Join Us—There’s Room for More!

As we continue to grow, we’re excited to welcome even more schools, students, and community members to Greenacres Lewis Township. Whether you’re looking for a field trip that supports your curriculum, a summer camp that immerses campers in nature and the arts, or professional development opportunities for educators, we have something for you!

📅 Now registering for summer camp and the 2025-2026 school year!
📍 Want to schedule a field trip? We have space available! Sign up today and bring your students for an unforgettable hands-on learning experience.

➡️ Schedule Your Field Trip Today

20 Mar 2025

Around Greenacres – Winter 2025

Around Greenacres - Winter 2025

Sweet Success at Michaela Farm

This winter, Michaela Farm and the Events Department welcomed over 200 guests to the Michaela Farm Open House & Maple Day on February 22, 2025. Visitors explored the new Education Center, learned about maple syrup production in our sugar shack, and enjoyed a guided hike through the property. Families participated in hands-on activities while discovering upcoming field trip and summer camp opportunities. Guests also warmed up with a delicious meal featuring Greenacres products, prepared by Pearl Street Catering. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a day of education, community, and connection to the land.

Arts & Environmental Education Flourish at Lewis Township

Greenacres Lewis Township is growing! We are on pace to welcome over 2,000 learners to our Lewis Township Education Center during the 2024-2025 school year through expanded partnerships and enriched program offerings. A major highlight is the introduction of hybrid Environmental Education + Arts and Arts-only programs, designed to meet Ohio State Standards across Fine Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Social-Emotional Learning. These programs provide students with creative and meaningful arts experiences, fostering deeper engagement with the world around them.

Our Arts Education team, based at our Cincinnati campus, played a key role in this success. Arts Educator Sophie Kussman brought her passion for visual and performing arts to Lewis Township, to help lead this work. Sophie and her colleagues facilitated programs such as Art for the Heart, which blends art, music, and mindful movement to support students’ social-emotional well-being.

Additionally, we are introducing our Leaders in Training (LITs), volunteer leadership opportunities for 14-17 year olds, to summer camps at Lewis Township—learn more about the opportunity here. We continue to collaborate with the Brown County ESC, participating in initiatives like Little State STEAM and STEAMology professional development to support local educators and students.

Learn more about our summer camps and field trips today and discover how we’re bringing nature and the arts to life for our community in Lewis Township!

Winter Learning in the Barn and Beyond

Our Equine team collaborated across Greenacres, supporting Exploring With Grace Programs and developing fresh activities for new fall offerings. They welcomed Chase Elementary School teachers for a Professional Development Day, where they engaged in both agriculture and equine activities before utilizing our indoor arena classroom. They also hosted 7th and 8th graders from Mt. Washington School for our Calculating Horse Care: Ratios program, where students connected math concepts with real-world equine management.

In the stables, winter brings a valuable shift in focus for our Greenacres Pony Club. While mounted lessons continue, the cold season allows for deeper learning in unmounted education and horse care. Our 13 active Pony Club members took part in barn “shifts,” managing daily care routines like stall cleaning, feeding, turnout, and more. This hands-on experience is essential for developing responsible and capable equestrians. The winter season culminated in the Midsouth Pony Club Quiz Rally 2025, where our teams placed 1st and 4th in their levels, with one rider earning 4th overall out of more than 50 competitors. We are proud of their dedication and commitment to both learning and horse care.

Learn more about Equine Education at Greenacres

Deer Monitoring: Understanding the Impact on Our Woodlands

As winter drew to a close, the Research department was eager to begin gathering critical data on deer, an important keystone species in our local ecosystem. Deer play a vital role in shaping the forest community, but over time, we’ve observed signs that their impact may be disrupting the health of our woodlands. Specifically, we’ve noticed a lack of understory plant diversity and fewer young trees, which could be linked to deer browsing. However, factors like invasive species, poor seed dispersal, and low light levels may also be contributing to these issues.

To better understand the extent of deer’s influence, the team focuses on monitoring deer browse during the winter. Late winter is an ideal time to track deer consumption, as their diet primarily consists of buds and twigs from trees and shrubs. By examining browse signs, we can assess whether deer are eating more than the plants can regrow.

Additionally, winter’s sparse vegetation makes it an excellent time to estimate deer density using fecal pellet counts. The absence of ground-level growth makes fecal piles easy to spot, and by counting them across a designated area, we can estimate deer population density. Combining this data with our findings on browsing patterns will help us determine if the current deer population is sustainable for forest health. If necessary, we’ll develop strategies to ensure a balanced relationship between deer populations and the overall well-being of our woodlands.

Improving Our Livestock Management

The Livestock team is thrilled to be able to start using the now completed Michaela Farm livestock handling facility. This new facility is a significant improvement to our operations, allowing for more efficient livestock management and data collection, which will ultimately improve animal health and management practices. The facility is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing our infrastructure and supporting the welfare of our animals.

In addition to this advancement, our Livestock, Gardens, Research, and Land Management teams started participating in an 18-week Holistic Management International (HMI) training course. This course is designed to deepen our understanding of whole-farm planning through three core areas: Holistic Goal planning, financial planning, and grazing planning. Holistic Management is a comprehensive approach to land stewardship that emphasizes the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors. It is widely used by farmers and ranchers to improve land health, increase productivity, and enhance community well-being.

By implementing the strategies learned in this course, we aim to not only optimize our grazing practices but also to foster long-term sustainability across all departments at Greenacres. Through careful planning and the application of Holistic Management principles, we’re working toward a more resilient and sustainable farming system that benefits both the land and the local community.

06 Feb 2025

2024 Grant Recipients

2024 Grant Recipients

In 2024, the Nippert charitable foundations donated over $5.5 million to various grant recipients. These recipients included non-profits supporting the Greater Cincinnati region, organizations working in the musical arts, and research institutions focused on agro-ecology research.

The L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation awarded a total of $4,041,328 to 68 non-profits, addressing a range of causes such as youth services, recycling programs, hospice care, and more.

The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund provided $652,520 in grant funding to 20 organizations, as well as their yearly contributions to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, and the May Festival.

Greenacres Foundation distributed $836,412 to support three research projects focused on agro-ecological research: Native Bee Health and Population Dynamics Across Agricultural Landscapes with The Ohio State University, Pecan Silvopasture: Improving Soil Health for Profitable and Resilient Systems with Noble Research Institute, and Effects of Grazing Monoculture Versus Polyculture Pastures on Epigenomic and Metabolomic Traits in US Beef Cattle with Utah State University. For details on these grants, visit: green-acres.org/research/research-grants/

For more information about the L&L charitable and LDNMAF grants, visit: lnlcharitable.org.

2024 L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation Grant Recipients:

  • Adventure Crew
  • Beech Acres Parenting Center
  • Bethany House Services, Inc.
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati, Inc.
  • Bon Secours Mercy Health Foundation
  • Brown County Educational Service Center
  • Canine Companions for Independence
  • Center for Respite Care, Inc.
  • ChangingGears
  • Childhood Food Solutions
  • Children’s Hospital Medical Center
  • Children’s Hunger Alliance
  • Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • Cincinnati Community ToolBank Inc.
  • Cincinnati Museum Association
  • Cincinnati Parks Foundation
  • CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK
  • Cincinnati Public Radio Inc.
  • Cincinnati Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship
  • Cincinnati Works Inc
  • Cincinnati Youth Collaborative
  • CISE
  • Comprehensive Community Child Care Org. Inc.
  • Crayons to Computers
  • DePaul Cristo Rey High School
  • Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home  
  • Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
  • Episcopal Retirement Services, Inc.
  • Fernside Inc A Center for Grieving Children
  • Freestore Foodbank
  • Greater Cincinnati Television Educational Foundation
  • Holistic Management International
  • Hospice of Cincinnati, Inc.
  • Inner City Youth Opportunities
  • Interchurch Organization Inc.
  • Joy Outdoor Education Center
  • Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, Inc.
  • La Soupe, Inc.
  • Last Mile Food Rescue
  • Lighthouse Youth Services, Inc.
  • LINCOLN HEIGHTS OUTREACH INC
  • Little Miami Conservancy
  • Matthew 25: Ministries
  • Mill Creek Alliance
  • New Life Furniture, Inc.
  • North Fairmount Community Center
  • Ohio River Foundation
  • Ohio Valley Voices
  • Our Daily Bread
  • PLANNED PARENTHOOD SOUTHWEST OHIO REGION
  • Pregnancy Center West Inc.
  • Santa Maria Community Services, Inc.
  • St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy of Cincinnati
  • Stepping Stones, Inc.
  • Taft Museum of Art
  • Teach For America
  • The Children’s Home of Cincinnati Inc.
  • The Cincinnati Eye Institute Foundation
  • The Dragonfly Foundation
  • The East End Adult Education Center
  • The First Step Home, Inc.
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges
  • The Salvation Army
  • The University of Cincinnati Foundation
  • University of the Cumberlands
  • WOMEN HELPING WOMEN
  • Zoological Society of Cincinnati

2024 Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund Grant Recipients:

  • Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony Orchestra
  • Children’s Choir of Greater Cincinnati
  • Cincinnati Boychoir Inc.
  • Cincinnati Chamber Music
  • Cincinnati Choral Society
  • Cincinnati Museum Center
  • Greater Cincinnati Arts & Education Center
  • Jazz Alive, Inc
  • Ken Anderson Alliance
  • Kennedy Heights Arts Center
  • Linton Incorporated
  • Lives United/Vidas Unidas
  • Northern Kentucky Symphony, Inc.
  • Price Hill Will/ MYCincinnati
  • Queen City Chamber Opera
  • Queen City Performing Arts Organization, Inc.
  • School House Symphony
  • The Cincinnati String Project
  • Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati
  • Xavier University

2024 Agricultural & Ecological Research Grant Recipients:

  • The Ohio State University
    • Native Bee Health and Population Dynamics Across Agricultural Landscapes
  • Noble Research Institute
    • Pecan Silvopasture: Improving Soil Health for Profitable and Resilient Systems
  • Utah State University
    • Effects of Grazing Monoculture Versus Polyculture Pastures on Epigenomic and Metabolomic Traits in US Beef Cattle