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Meet our new teacher Adam

9/11/2019

"Adam has been working in garden based youth education since 2016 as a staff of The Growing Project. He began his career in 2013 at Outdoor La School in Mt. Evans as a part of Jefferson County. He first got introduced to gardening as a career in 2015 during a trip to Ecuador where he attended a 80hr permaculture design training. He then worked for Aspen Moon Farms in Hygiene and gained a deep knowledge of organic agriculture. Adam wanted to combine his experience in outdoor education with his newfound passion for agroecology, and discovered a niche here in Fort Collins! Adam is passionate about foraging, and loves to share with children the knowledge he has gained about native edible plants and their medicinal uses. Adam cares deeply for the future generations, and sees education as a way that he can give back to the world that has given him so much! Adam lives in North Fort Collins at the Little Red Hen Farm and is excited to join the 2019 farm education team at Laughing Buck!"

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How to Make the Most of Your Thyme

8/15/2019

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Life gets so busy these days sometimes we just need to slow down and take some thyme!!! This beautiful aromatic herb is not only an amazing culinary herb it has medicinal qualities as well. Many folks use it in savory dishes, but have you tried it as a tea?

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Welcome Raven, new riding instructor!

6/7/2019

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I am so excited to welcome Raven to the horse team! She will be teaching riding lessons here at the farm and we couldn't be more thrilled. Here's her hello:

Hello, I’m Raven and I am so thrilled to introduce myself as the Riding Instructor at Laughing Buck Farm. Nothing warms my heart as much as seeing the bond and growth between horse and rider. It means so much to me, as an instructor, to develop students into strong horsemen and horsewomen with a foundation based around horse care and safety. I am a huge enthusiast when it comes down to absorbing knowledge, taking on challenges, and sharing it with my students. I love to get creative with explanations and activities as everyone has their own fun way of learning! You will quickly see my favorite area of teaching and training is the bio-mechanics of both horse and rider as a team. This is something that has helped me build and grow my relationship with horses over the past 15 years as a competitor in the hunter/jumper world, an exercise rider for horses in rehab, a student to several grand prix riders and a manager/trainer to a barn full of beautiful horses and boarders back in Florida. Now living in Colorado, I am so fortunate (and excited!) to be part of such an enriched learning environment at Laughing Buck Farm. I certainly look forward to each lesson with my students just as much as they look forward to it each week!

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The Love of Lemon Balm

5/10/2019

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Lemon Balm is considered the Happy Herb

Why to Love Lemon Balm, Melissa Officinalis
Lemon Balm also known as sweet Melissa is one of those amazing herbs everyone should know about. Lemon balm comforts the heart and drives away sadness. It does this by soothing the nervous system, which lifts the spirits. The lemon-y taste is cooling and taste great!!

Making a soothing tea of lemon balm is best. Either with fresh or dried leaves. Using fresh one handful using dried you only want to use 1 teaspoon. Making Lemon balm Sun Tea is a wonderful summer drink, the cooling effect is great on a hot day. Add a handful of fresh lemon balm to a glass jar cover with lid or paper towel let the warmth of the sun brew the tea, strain and pour over ice.. ahhh so refreshing

Children's Happy Potion: make a tea with 1tsp of Lemon balm and chamomile and is perfect for many children's complaints. Helps with restlessness, insomnia , whining, crying and helps pick you up if your feeling sad.

Lemon Balm Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients:

3 tablespoons light olive oil
1/8 teaspoon salt
6-8 leaves lemon balm
Minced Garlic clove
Fresh black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons wine vinegar
Dijon Mustard (Optional and to taste)

Finely Chop the Lemon Balm and either mix or blend all ingredients together. Serve over a yummy Kale and radish salad.

Make you own Lemon Balm Bug Spray
Gather:

a handful of fresh lemon balm leaves
plus a generous pinch each of basil, catnip and mint from your CSA garden.

Stuff a glass jar full of the herb leaves, then pour witch hazel extract over them, almost to the top. You can usually find witch hazel in your local drug store or in the pharmacy section of a grocery store.
Cap the jar and set it in a cool, dark cupboard for a week or two. Strain and store out of heat and light.
After two weeks strain liquid in a glass jar. Then in a glass spray bottle (you can get really great ones at Golden Poppy Apothecary) fill spray bottle half way, then rest with water. Add a couple drops of essential of Basil, eucalyptus lemon grass or citronella.

Spring Blessings, FarmHer Angela

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For the love of Leah

1/27/2019

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If you've been out to the farm, you'll see a lot of people at work. You might see therapeutic riding instructors in the arena, children and teachers working in the garden, volunteers helping with chores, 4-H kids meeting or riding, my kids taking care of bunnies and pigs, me (FarmHer Rosemary) feeding the horses or most likely chatting with someone from our beautiful community. And amidst it all, you would likely see Leah, who lives on the farm and has her hands in most of what we do here. Her job description includes Barn Manager, 4H Leader, Riding Instructor, After School Programs Instructor, Farm School Teacher, Summer Camp Instructor, Resident Cowgirl.

Over the last year, Leah has become an integral part of our farm and our programs. In every capacity, she takes on a leadership role, steps up to add structure to classes and programs and her eagerness for sharing her knowledge is contagious for teachers and students. I am grateful to have Leah as a part of our horse team and farm family. Thanks for all you do, Leah!

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FarmHer Rosemary's Gift Guide

12/12/2018

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As I'm doing my shopping this year I thought I would share some favorites. I have no connection to these products, I just think they are awesome because they contain beauty, whimsy, creativity, and perhaps give a nudge to closely observe or get out in nature. Many of these are tried and true games, books, and toys I use in my farm classes or with my own kiddos. I did not include a link but if you do a web or Amazon search you will easily find these treasures. Enjoy and please share if you have any ideas to add!

~FarmHer Rosemary

Games and Such

Horseopoly Board Game
Buy different horse breeds and build barns and stables!

Lucy Hammet's Horse Bingo
Learn about horse breeds, equine sports, tack and more in this fun game.

Wildcraft
Herbal Adventure Game
Educational game. Learn herbs, edible and medicinal plants. Ages 4 and up.

Horse Stickers
"Over 400 equestrian-themed, full-color photographic and illustrated stickers are vibrant, beautifully detailed and lifelike—and durable, designed to be stuck on, peeled off, and stuck on again without tearing or losing adhesive." I want these!

Wooden Pattern Blocks
I love this all-ages toy. It's awesome for younger kids and I still find my teens creating with these blocks.

Lucy Hammet's Nature Bingo
Detailed learning that is loads of fun. There are many Bingo topics like Bug Bingo, Dinosaur Bingo, Bird Bingo, Wildlife Bingo, etc.

EQUESTtrian Cards
Trivia cards for horse lovers.

Horse Anatomy Coloring Book
"This is a pleasant and rewarding learning tool for veterinary medicine students, equine science majors, 4-H horse projects and all horsemen, horse trainers, breeders and farriers."

Adventure Gifts

Duck Tape!
In cool colors. Need I say more?

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
Keep it in your backpack and you'll be ready for anything. Removes bacteria & parasites: The microfiltration membrane removes 99.999999% of waterborne bacteria (including E. coli and salmonella), and 99.999% of waterborne parasites.

Old Timer 24OT Splinter Carvin' Traditional Pocket Knife

Uberleben Zünden Fire Starter
Thick bushcraft fire steel with handcrafted wood handle, 12,000-20,000 strikes, traditional survival ferro rod with neck lanyard

Kelly Kettle
Boils Water Within Minutes, Uses Natural Fuel, and Enables You to Rehydrate Food or Cook a Meal

Complete Starter Guide to Whittling with 24 easy projects.

Children's Books I love

Any or all of Julia Rothman's books are amazing. They cover the basic elements of farm, nature, and food in gorgeous illustration. Great for visual learners and just fun to read or peruse.

The Swedish author, Elsa Beskow, writes beautiful children's books. I love them all.

Phoebe and Her Unicorn Series by Dana Simpson
Full of sass and imagination. Just plain fun for the dreamers out there. That would be ME!

I'm crazy about the Elephant & Piggie books. Wonderful messages that will crack up kids and adults. We love to read "I Love Slops" as we prep slops for our farm pigs.

All of the books by Naoko Stoop are beautiful.

All of Jan Brett's books are amazing so take your pick and you can't go wrong.

Books for Adults Who Want to be Inspired to Get Outside with Children

Play the Forest School Way: Woodland Games and Crafts for Adventurous Kids
by Jane Worrol
Honestly, I could have written this hahaha.
Lots of great ideas here!

There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather
by Linda Akeson McGurk
"A lively, insightful memoir about a mother who sets out to discover if the nature-centric parenting philosophy of her native Scandinavia holds the key to healthier, happier lives for her American children."

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Fall 2018 Newsletter

12/11/2018

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So Many New Happenings on the Farm
(and pork for sale!)

Hello, farm friends! It's a joy to connect with you through our newsletter -- thank you for reading! Scroll down to learn about some of our new programs and developments.... and how YOU can get involved!

Ever grateful this and every season,
FarmHer Rosemary, Greg and the boys

"At Laughing Buck Farm, we inspire a love for farming, horsemanship, gardening, and nature through the rhythms of the seasons and hands-on learning and play-- all in an outdoor, farm setting. Our programs are geared for ALL ages and abilities. Come join us!"

We had a fabulous 4-H year with kids learning about small engines, cake decorating, crocheting, backpacking, and of course HORSES. Our 4H club is designated a welcome group for kiddos with special needs in Larimer County so please spread the word if you know of someone looking for a welcoming community. Our group is "Global Adventurers" and you can learn more about 4-H in Larimer Counter here:
http://larimer.extension.colostate.edu/programs/4-h/join-4-h/

It was a very productive year for our community / educational garden. Under the direction of our Garden Manager, Angela Nelson, we fed our families, our riding instructors, and donated our abundance to several nonprofits here in town. So much gratitude for our amazing interns!

We are so excited about our new Adaptive / Therapeutic Riding Program. We have two PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) certified instructors and one occupational therapist providing lessons. We have room for more adaptive riders and could use volunteers so be in touch if you would like to learn more.
https://www.laughingbuckfarm.com/therapeutic-riding-program.html

We share farm life, the jobs and the adventures together with farmers of all ages. On any given day we might gather eggs, groom or ride the horses, work in the garden, go on nature adventures, build forts, swing in the hay barn, snuggle with the bunnies and just enjoy the day unfold together. We are committed to kids being outside to experience all four seasons so we work, play and enjoy the summer sun, autumn wind, winter snow and ice, and spring rains together.

We are expanding our educational programs to include more of our beautiful community. In addition to hosting school groups, scout troops, children from Mathew's House and the Boys and Girl's Club, we invite adults from the Shine organization with developmental, cognitive, and physical challenges out to the farm twice a week to care for the pigs, chickens, goats and to work with the horses.

We have pork available and are excited to share with you, our farm community. We charge $6 per pound (includes processing) and sell in packages for $50 and $75. You will get a mix of bacon, sausage, chops, roasts. Please let me know right away as the pickup date is the last week of November. Email me at laughingbuckfarm@gmail.com .

A pig from our farm gets 40-60% of its diet from the extras of our vegetable operation, apple orchard and cider pressing, real food scraps and slops), and is raised out in the fresh air and sunshine and MUD, of course. Oh, and the pigs got lots of rides, hugs, ear scratches and belly rubs, too. :) Pastured pork has been found to have 300% more vitamin E and 74% more selenium than conventional pork. Our pork is at once incredibly lean and deliciously rich. We are proud to offer such a high quality product at such a reasonable price.
UPDATE: PORK IS SOLD OUT FOR FALL 2018

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Sublime Solstice Gathering

8/23/2018

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This was such a beautiful gathering on the longest day in celebration of community and sisterhood! I am grateful for each of the awesome ladies who worked hard, played hard, took risks, brought delicious food and shared poems, songs and voices around the fire. What a night!

* Huge thanks to Dawn with Sassafras Elements for helping with the creative process!

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Solstice Women's Camp June 21

5/30/2018

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Registration is open for our first ever Women's Camp --grab a girlfriend and join us on the farm!

Open yourself up to the skies and community on the eve of the Summer Solstice. This is an opportunity to soak up the sun’s brightest day of the year by surrounding yourself with women who yearn for a camp to call their own! Get away from your *To DO* list, the caregiving of others and pressures from work by joining our gathering of women to share in the communion of farm and nature together. We have such a lovely treat of treasures planned for the evening including, critter connections, horseback riding, culinary creations, art journey, and finishing up with drumming and singing around the bonfire. Feed your soul and listen to the whispers of your heart. You deserve this!

Details:
Solstice Women's Camp June 21
with FarmHers Rosemary, Shirley, Dawn, Christine, and Andi
Thursday June 21, 5PM - 9PM
(room for 5 tents if anyone wants to stay the night)
$50 includes drinks, shared nibbles, art and culinary creations.

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From Pony Lessons to High School Internship -- Allison's Story

5/24/2018

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Allison is like part of the family here at Laughing Buck Farm and we wanted to capture some of her essence to honor who she is to us! Our farm blogger Dawn wrote this beautiful post and at the end you'll find a video interview by Jasper. Allison, I am so proud of the strong, knowledgeable and passionate cowgirl you are and cherish the connections you have made with the horses and the community. Congratulations girl, and I wish you all the best as you graduate next week. Can't wait to see where life takes you! ~FarmHer Rosemary

I am writing today about a blossom that has been growing in our families’ gardens. Her name is Allison. This young lady first made her appearance as a sprite sprout that bounced around with her bright smile and has cast her light like sunshine everywhere she went.

Today, she is still doing so, though this time her light is more like a flickering fire that warms you as she shares her heart’s desires about life.

Allison’s passions revolve around horses and helping others. Ever since Allison was little, she’s loved animals. I’ve never seen her without a critter in her arms, her face against the fur of a four-legged friend or a squeal of joy coming out of this girl’s mouth from the cuteness of what she’s witnessing from a fluffy creature. Allison’s sweetness permeates from her cells and animals trust her.

Focusing on what she loves, which is mainly horses, Allison has created a daily life that keeps her surrounded by equines! In the beginning, she started her journey by taking riding lessons and leasing a pony / best friend named Ginger. As she grew and as her horse skills grew, she has continued her learning by getting involved with 4H, which she has now proudly earned the title role of President. She also joined FFA, Future Farmers of America which helped her to attain the knowledge and respect that it takes to be successful in the farming industry which ranges from the monetary demands, as well as the labor involved and how technology has played a role. That path naturally took her straight into the loving arms of Laughing Buck Farm where she asked to be trained as an intern. She worked at LBF every week, rain or shine, learning horse care, helping with injured horses, teaching the horses tricks and helping with desensitizing and training. I asked Allison what her favorite chore at LBF was and she whole-heartedly without pause announced, “MUCKING! I love having manure on my boots! It means that the horses are happy, healthy and I’ve got a job.” Her words: “Horses are my spirit animal. I understand them. I look into their eyes and we connect. They trust me and know that they have me. They have me as a friend and an ally. I can hear what they are thinking and they can hear what I am thinking. I know that sounds weird. I don’t care. The horses need me and I need them. That’s all that counts when we are together.”

Connection. Allison has an innate ability to connect, not only to animals but also to humans! She’s like a magnet. Curious kiddos are drawn to her, intrigued teachers are lured to her and parents of those curious kiddos gravitate towards her because of her authentic personality. She has a positive attitude and energy that doesn't cease. Allison is dedicated to learning, to guiding and to finding answers. I asked her what has been her greatest aspirations in life. Here they are:

"Meeting Temple Grand, in person. She’s amazing and I want to be like her."

"My grandmother. She always believed in me and always calmed me. When I am with the animals, I can hear her talking to me. I feel her. The horses know and sense that calm in me because of my grandmother."

"My mother, Rose Lew-Poff. That woman is why I am here today. She has been there during my roughest times and we have made it together, through my dramas, my insecurities. She never stops loving me. She never stops pushing me to be my best. My mother is my hero. It doesn't matter what she is enduring, this woman has a kind of strength that I want to have. She made it through cancer and the death of her own mother while continuing to be strong enough to take care of our family. She's my hero and the strongest person that I know."

Allison graduates this year. She’s leaving us. She is on somewhat of a rite of passage. These roads of experience take her to the next phase of learning, wherever and whatever that may be…to something grand and enriching. Her emotions about her future are sprinkled with anxiety, trepidation and excitement of what's to come. She’s choosing to make a difference in her life by seeking to continue her education that will always involve some form of nurturing others, both animals and humans. This world is a better place by having her in it, showering her environments with delight!

Allison's smile and joie de vivre is contagious, it’s something that you want to take with you and hold it in your hands. We will. She’ll always be imprinted in our hearts and we’ll embrace our sweet girl each time we get to wrap our arms around her when she visits. Thank you, Allison…we love you. xoxo ~Dawn