By Katie Shorter | Pamlico Small Business Center
After retiring from a 30-year career in the child care industry – from hands-on daily care to owning and managing 3 child care centers in Eastern North Carolina – Pamlico County’s Kim Trudo retreated to Whispering Creek Farm, her 12-acre “hobby” farm, gathering a variety of small farm animals, including ducks, goats, sheep, chickens, stray ponies, and a menagerie of other farm family members. She never imagined that retirement on her farm would lead her back to a calling to serve children.
“About two years ago, a mission was continuously placed on my heart,” recalls Trudo, “and a vision started to solidify in my mind – to create a learning oasis on my farm, where little minds and hearts can sprout and bloom, surrounded by the natural, nurturing life on my Whispering Creek Farm.”
It did not take long for a clear vision to emerge for what has now become the Whispering Creek Farm Academy. Soon, construction began on the barn-inspired learning space adjacent to the pasture areas.
“I imagined preschoolers – ‘sprouts’ as I began to call them – having the freedom to ramble in natural spaces and the opportunity to interact with my friendly farm friends,” says Trudo. “At the same time, they will progress in preschool-appropriate developmental skill areas.” Paramount to Trudo’s mission is that, “these precious ‘sprouts’ will be nurtured and cherished according to how each child blooms and grows.”
“Whispering Creek Farm Academy will provide a hands-on, experiential learning environment in which the delivery of a fixed curriculum is child-directed,” explains Trudo. She then muses, “And maybe even animal-directed at times.” Whispering Creek Farm Academy’s emphasis is nature-based learning, which includes exploring wildlife habitats, pond animals, growing and harvesting vegetables, and learning about healthy eating habits, just for starters.
Trudo adds that the local support has been invaluable; she first contacted Beth Bucksot at the county’s Planning and Economic Development department, who then referred her to the Pamlico Small Business Center in Bayboro. “I needed help with outreach,” Trudo says. “Katie Shorter from the Small Business Center met with me at the farm and started ‘connecting the dots’ for me right away, providing invaluable support- at no cost to me – with strategies for reaching potential parents and caregivers,” explains Trudo.
Trudo is taking applications online (and in person) for Whispering Creek Farm Academy’s Fall 2024 sessions, which will be offered for children ages 3-7. Parents, caregivers, and children are invited to a free Open House on Saturday, July 20 from 9am-11am at 1088 Lee Landing Road. Visitors can tour the learning barn, meet the farm animals and learn more about the preschool from Trudo. For more information, visit www.WhisperingCreekAcademy.com or contact Kim Trudo at wcafkids@gmail.com or (252) 672-2055.
