We offer truly unique programs for children which give them a chance to mindfully interact with gentle farm animals in a restorative, natural setting which is remarkably convenient to many Bay Area schools and youth groups. Our "hands-on" programs are truly engaging, thoughtfully designed and led, and very educational. Seasonal treats include chicks in the spring and pumpkins in the fall. Kids and parents also really enjoy watching our peacocks display during their mating seasons in the spring and fall. Programs are tailored to the age and development level of the group we are working with.

Humane Education

Our Farm Animal Interaction Programs are based on the principals of Humane Education. "...The values humane education promotes in children's dealing with animals - respect, responsibility, empathy, fairness and compassion - apply as aptly to their relationships with people." (2001 L. Winiarskyi) Throughout the program, we teach kids to learn to recognize how they are choosing to react then interact with the animals. This is thoughtfully done and incredibly effective. Once a child has conquered his or her fear about trying something (like holding a chicken, for instance), we encourage that child to then use their words to help their classmates work through any fears they might have of trying something new. This empowers the child who is helping teach as well as helps develop camaraderie within the group which hopefully can be transferred back into the classroom.

Touring the Farm

We use Experiential Learning techniques and keep our groups small to enable quiet exploration and reflection. (The kids learn and retain a whole lot this way plus it makes the program a really fun adventure!) . We’ll learn words like “predator”, what our “instinct” is and what it is like to “observe” something and then comment on it. After we meet and divide up into separate groups with our program leaders, the children (who will have varying levels of comfort at first touching and interacting with animals) meet our goats and sheep and have a chance to hand feed them and feel the different wools on the backs of our sheep. The children then visit our sensory gardens, where the group will talk about what it means to “leave no trace” and will then put that phrase into action while they continue the program. Moving on into the yard area, the children mingle with, feed and touch other smaller-framed sheep, a bunny and a variety of chickens. They also will brush our pigs, Corky and Ernie and learn about the bristles on their backs.

The children will have a chance to brush or curry comb our pony, Pebbles and our mini-donkeys, Omega and Jasper. The kids then compare the difference between how the pony's tail and mane feel and learn what it can be used for. During this time, we also look at different types of birds nests (including one made out of garbage) so that the kids can develop an appreciation for keeping the earth clean and litter free to help the animals.

Collecting Eggs

After learning about different breeds of chickens, the children will be invited into the hen house to collect fresh eggs. Sometimes a hen will be brooding, so there may be a chance to actually reach under her to collect a warm egg! (The kids learn that they are helping collect our eggs which we then sell to help bring homeless kids to the ranch for programs.) We then circle up and learn about many different types of eggs.

The Tack Barn/Handspinning Wool

In the Tack Barn, the children touch and compare wool from different kinds of sheep, then card and hand spin it. (They get to keep their own piece of wool to take home.) Children will also learn about different breeds of cattle, horses, and sheep and see feathers from our peacocks, if time permits.

In conjunction about our teaching the kids about the value of helping out and doing farm chores, the children can climb up on the hay bales. (This makes a great picture!) Working together as a team, the kids will then lift a whole hay bale together!

Experiencing the Past

Our hay barn is also filled with authentic Western-style furnishings. The children will learn about some very interesting historical items such as a milk can, a butter churn and a washboard. We have the kids imagine what life was like in the old days without electricity and tv and video games. This helps them get in touch with how life might have been for their great-grandparents!