We are trying something new on the farm this year. We know that Laughing Buck Farm is a place of connection, with the animals as we learn to nurture and tend to the pigs, chickens, goats, horses, the bees and the plants in the garden. It's a place of calm and peace as we slow down and notice what is happening throughout the seasons and as we follow the life cycle of the plants in the garden from seed to harvest. It's a place of joy and activity as we work on real jobs and tasks around the farm like cleaning stalls, unloading feed for the animals, milking the goats, grazing the animals, digging trenches and doing what needs to be done.  It's a place of community, where we learn together and grow friendships, showing the same kindness to each other as we do the the animals and the land.   So what's new?  We want to open the farm to kids of ALL abilities and have partnered with Leah, an Occupational Therapist from Poudre School District, some amazing Instructional Paras, and a couple of young adults who have an interest in working with children with special needs.  We will try our first Integrated Camp this summer and hopefully build on the program from there. Here's what we are creating in August:
 
“My Senses and Me, On the Farm”
When: August  8-9th, 2017,  9:30-12:30
Ages: 5-12
Our integrated farm experience aims to help children develop and improve their social-emotional skills, independent living skills, and sensory regulation skills by learning through a sensory-rich environment where kids can experience the sights, sounds, smells, feel, and work of farm life!  Children will be able to explore the many wonders of farm life. Whether taking care of the animals by engaging in heavy work opportunities, exploring the garden to make a healthy snack, climbing the hay bales or swinging on the tire swing in the play barn, children will learn responsibility for other living things and work on engaging with others  or trying something new for the first time.

And here's a hello from  Leah, the OT who is heading up the class. The other teachers will be Dawn, Kate and yours truly, FarmHer Rosemary.

Hi there!
I'm Farmer Leah! I'm very excited to be joining Laughing Buck Farm's first ever Integrated farm camp this summer. I get to combine several of my passions: animals, children, and teaching in a natural setting. I grew up on a dairy farm in central Wisconsin where I grew up climbing around our hay barn, taming cattle for the local fair shows, and befriending loads of farm cats. I aspire to have a farm someday where my own children can do this and more!
When I'm not planning for farm camp, I work as a school based occupational therapist and my job is very rewarding. I love building connections with my students, their families and get to help shape their success as a student and beyond. I look forward to meeting the farmers very soon!  ~Leah

Would you like to learn more about our other teachers?  You can read more here:
http://www.laughingbuckfarm.com/meet-our-teachers.html

We have room for a couple more farmers in our integrated camp so email me if you think this could be a good fit for your child. More information and registration here.
http://www.laughingbuckfarm.com/summer-schedule-and-upcoming-events.html

I am always amazed at how much the farm teaches me me.  At first it was about irrigation, pasture management, weed control,  beekeeping, gardening... then running a horse lesson and boarding business, then creating programs for children. And now I'm excited to build on my teaching background as we grow our program and  try out new ways of teaching and learning for the beautiful range of learners out there.   Cheers to lifelong learning!
FarmHer Rosemary

The day didn't just focus on the evolution of various farm animals. The Periodic Table is relevant on the farm as well, and Kat had the kids using pH strips to test acidity. I was informed that saliva is basic, and so is the inside of a horse's nose. I'll bet most people don't know that. These kids have learned some great conversation starters!​