Do we have any 4H kids or adults out there?   4H was a big part of my childhood growing up in Ohio and I am thrilled to help lead a 4H group here at Laughing Buck Farm. The hands-on approach to learning also works so well with our  homeschool daytime farm class.  I love how the kids are now able to catch, halter and lead their horses safely and comfortably these days.  Springtime means vaccinations and deworming  so we scheduled our vet, Dr. Laura Brinton of Adobe Equine, to come out during class to demonstrate.  We are also learning about horse breeds, parts of the horse and saddle and  horse markings.  We'll get more practice grooming and cleaning tack next week.   Ah, spring! 

I've gathered some online resources for learning parts of the horse, markings, breeds and parts of the saddle for kids who want to practice at home.  Check it out and let me know in the comments if you have any to add to my list.

Parts of the horse, markings
http://www.everything-dream-horse.com/horse-anatomy.html

Kid games and quizzes: horse  breeds, colors,  parts of the western saddle
http://www.equisearch.com/discoverhorses/for-kids/games-quizzes

Parts of the saddle
https://bitnbridle.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/4-h-saddle-test.pdf

I'm getting ready for Farm School classes this week, where we will have egg hunts (plastic eggs filled with popcorn), decorate our egg cartons, and dye eggs.  I love this so much so as I'm poring over some of my favorite links and ideas, I thought I'd share them here.   But first, a few photos from years gone by.  Scroll down for the links. Do you have any other ideas?  Find us on Facebook and Instagram and post your finished products.  We'll be posting ours next week.  Oh, and I'll also be sharing about our new baby goats so stay tuned!

Click on image below for Natural Dye Colored Egg Instructions

Click on image below for How to Dye Eggs Naturally with Everyday Ingredients

Click below for Natural Dyed Easter Eggs

Click below for 60 + Fun Easter Egg Decorating Ideas

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