When you live in a college town, you adapt to change as students, teachers and farm helpers come and go as semesters begin and end.  And so we say goodbye to our graduating helper, Zach, and welcome our new resident cowgirl, Willow.  This delights me to no end because  I got to know Willow's mom and their family almost ten years ago when we first moved to Fort Collins and Willow brought her horse Clifford to board at Laughing Buck as a teenager.  Now she is BACK, living here on the farm next to her horse, and teaching in our summer camps.    Welcome back, Willow.  I am as happy as Clifford is to have you here on the farm. ~FarmHer Rosemary

From Willow:
"Hi there! My name is Willow, and I am so excited to be spending the summer helping kiddos have some of the experiences that were the best parts of my childhood, and that shaped me into who I am today! I'm especially excited to get to play with the horses together, as they've been my biggest passion since I can remember. I started riding when I was 6, and grew up doing everything from English to barrel racing in 4-H. Then when I was 13 I got Clifford who is the best horse in the world, and is lucky enough to be living at Laughing Buck to this day. He has taught me so much more than I could have ever imagined and I'm so glad that he can do the same for other kiddos now. When I was 15, I got an internship with a reining trainer and spent two years doing that, which is what gave me the passion for both reining and for training horses and watching them learn and grow to be amazing partners. Training is what I eventually want to spend my life doing, but for now I am just so glad to be back at the farm! Here's to an awesome summer!"

Sarah has been involved in Laughing Buck Farm for years, starting when her girls were attending Farm School and she was a co-teacher.  She's had some cool adventures and I'm glad she's back in Colorado and has found her way back to the farm.  Can't wait to see what 2017  holds for our new garden team.  Welcome, Sarah! 

From Sarah:
"Being able to plant a seed, care for it, and watch it grow into something that can nourish my family has to be one of the most satisfying experiences. (It is similar to parenthood, although perhaps slightly more predictable!) My early professional and educational background was early child development, Early Intervention and family support. I have always loved working with children. I am inspired by their passion, creativity, hope, and confidence. Since first becoming a mother eight years ago, I have been pursuing the wisdom and wonder of medicinal herbs. And now, as a family herbalist, I am passionate about connecting people with plants.  A garden is such a beautiful metaphor for children, and bringing the two together is a magical combination. I have grown food and herbs in home and community gardens, and I am so happy to be growing at Laughing Buck Farm in 2017 (pun intended)."

You can find out about Sarah's Herbal CSA, Bhoomi's Basket, at
http://birthplaylove.com/bhoomis-basket-an-herbal-csa/ 
and check out her nature-inspired children's magazine at www.dandelionwishesmag.com

You can read about all of the teachers of Laughing Buck Farm here: 
http://www.laughingbuckfarm.com/meet-our-teachers.html

One of our farm school mamas is an amazing photographer and she brought her camera and snapped  some beautiful moments from the day.  I love seeing the world through an artist's eyes.  Thank you so much, Anna!    Check out her work at Smiling Eyes Photography (https://www.facebook.com/smilingeyesphotofortcollins/)