Rosemary Jedel Graff
Farm Manager, Farm School Founder and Instructor
Co-Founder of Friends of Laughing Buck Farm Nonprofit

When Rosemary  and her husband Greg moved to Fort Collins in 2007, they spent the first several years raising their two boys and restoring the land, which had been a foreclosed property.  Rosemary started a preschool co-op with a few families and that was her first taste of working with children in a farm setting -- she was hooked.  As her kids started school, Rosemary and  Angela Thoreson created a weekly class  with their youngest kids  and several more from the community and  Farm School was born, where kids of all ages work, play and learn outside as they ride and care for horses, gather eggs, milk goats, feed the pigs, care for the rabbits, tend to the garden and swing in the huge haybarn. Over the years, Rosemary converted more of the  farm into an outdoor learning space, began to offer horse boarding and riding lessons, became a 4-H leader and created summer camps  which continue to grow and develop. 

​Laughing Buck Farm strives to include and invite people of all backgrounds and abilities and has a therapeutic riding program as well as summer sensory camps for kiddos on the autism spectrum.  FarmHer Rosemary continues to find therapeutic benefits in this unique farm setting and loves exposing kids, adults and families to the joys of connecting with nature, moving their bodies through work and play, and developing relationships with creatures great and small. She founded the nonprofit, Friends of Laughing Buck Farm, in 2018 to develop educational and therapeutic horse and farm experiences for everyone.

In addition to her role as "FarmHer" Rosemary is also an English teacher, with degrees in Linguistics and a Master's degree in English. She served four years in the U.S. Air Force as a Korean linguist--she has a strong love of words,  cultures and languages.

Some articles about Rosemary's work in the community:
https://www.freedomreignsequinesanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/healing_stories-laughing-buck-final-720p.mp4
https://fortcollinsmag.com/features/unexpected-joy-laughing-buck-farm/
http://farmingfortcollins.com/farmer-profile-rosemary-jedel-graff-of-laughing-buck-farm/

We get by with a little help from our friends... and our beautiful community.  
Huge thanks to each and every teacher who loves these kids and critters
and helps make Laughing Buck Farm  feel like one big family. 

Rachel
Barn Manager, Riding Instructor, 
​Summer Camp Teacher
Adaptive Riding Program Coordinator 
PATH Intl CTRI, ESMHL

​My name is Rachel, and I have been working as an instructor at Laughing Buck Farm since 2021.

A little about me: I have a background in hunter/jumper and dressage, and a BS in Equine Science from CSU, where my Honors Thesis was on misunderstood equine facial expressions. I have spent several years guiding and packing in the Zirkel wilderness for guest ranches, as well as hitching and driving teams of draft horses for guests. I have been teaching or in the Adaptive Riding field for 22 years now, and am a certified CTRI from PATH Intl, as well as a Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. 

I've been in business as a donkey and horse trainer for about ten years and recently started a rescue, where I rescue, rehab, retrain, and rehome donkeys, particularly ones with behavior issues. I also am a published author with a book series on donkey care and training that has sold over 1000 copies worldwide. It is hard to out-stubborn me! 

Needless to say, I am passionate about kids, riding, equine health and behavior, and have dabbled in just about everything! I am always continuing to learn and expand my knowledge, and I love encouraging children to do the same. 

My biggest thrill is getting students to the point in their horsemanship and equestrian skills where they can start thinking about how to be a trainer themself--how do you evaluate, adapt, and work with each animal to fit that animal's needs? What sort of rider do you need to be that day? ​

Belinda
Instructor
Farm School Teacher, Riding Instructor Summer Camp Instructor

​Belinda: I moved from Kansas a few years ago and was fortunate to have connected with Laughing Buck Farm where I'm getting all my "needs" met at one place. In Kansas I farmed 80 acres and ran a 21 horse riding school after my full time job as a special education teacher. In the summers I lead Horsemanship and Pioneer Camps on our farm. In my spare time I was the county-wide 4-H horse leader. 

My strength is breaking down skills and tasks into small steps and encouraging students to progress through these as fast as they are comfortable. I like to teach a skill and then use it in a game, so I prefer to teach in small groups of 2-4 students. I stress groundwork,balance and control. As a youth,I participated in jumping competitions and as an adult I learned Western riding. 

I love to see students increase their competence and widen their experiences by setting goals and reaching them! I'm also passionate about encouraging family bonding through sharing interests in equine activities. Other than riding myself, my favorite thing is teaching other horsecrazy kids and I'm very excited about being involved in the Equestrian Club as well.

Milo
Instructor
Riding Instructor, Summer Camp Instructor

​Milo: I started out as a riding student at Laughing Buck in 2018, after working a summer as a horseback trail guide I returned to Laughing Buck as an intern and riding instructor in training. I am now a full instructor here and having been here for so long I know the horses very well. I love being at Laughing Buck farm because it is a very welcoming and understanding environment, and we find a way for everyone to have fun and participate.

I love helping students learn and become more confident in their skills and seeing the unique relationships students form with the horses. In my lessons I like to encourage being a team with your horse, listening to their body language and finding ways to work together safely even on rough days. 

Equines are my passion; I'll try pretty much anything, there is always more to learn and more fun to be had.

Farmers and Cowgirls we have loved (and still do!)

Tatjana
Farm School Teacher, Summer Camp Instructor


My name is Tatjana and last summer my family and I moved from Texas to Colorado. I love the Colorado outdoors, landscape and lifestyle. I grew up in Germany and during my summers as a child I was exposed to the joys of the farm lifestyle and horseback riding. While I spent much of my youth in Germany, I just recently became a US citizen. This fall I started volunteering at LBF which quickly turned into a teaching opportunity. At the farm I enjoy helping with the chores, animals and most of all spending time with the kids. I like learning and I feel that I constantly experience something new on the farm. Sometimes the kids teach me and I love it.  I have 3 children of my own and seeing children having a great time warms my heart. I am looking forward to meeting your children.

Angela
Garden Director, Instructor

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In addition to being an awesome teacher at Laughing Buck Farm, with her hands deep in the soil and her heart filled with love for the kids, the animals and the land, Angela goes by a few other names. :)
Angela believes in that children should get dirty, have loads of free play and create early on a relationship with the outside world that they can cherish through the years and into adulthood. 
Mama--first and foremost, committed  mom of two amazing humans.
Garden Goddess-- studied horticulture with landscape and garden design, worked in kitchen garden in Oxford, England
Henna Artist-- gifted henna creation and design at Henna by Angela an
Tribe Mama --founder of Northern Colorado Nature Tribe
Moon Tracker--studying and applying biodynamic gardening at Laughing Buck Farm

Some articles about Angela's work in the community:
Creating Community in Nature with the Northern Colorado Nature Tribe
Making Special Moments with Henna
http://nocobirthphotography.com/jennys-henna-and-maternity-session-%E2%80%A2-cheyenne-photographer/

Amy
PATH Intl CTRI
Adaptive Riding Instructor, Volunteer Coordinator
Farm School Teacher, Summer Camp Instructor





Amy has a BS in Physical Education and Coaching and an MS in Exercise and Sport Science. She's grown up around horses and loves to ride in the mountains. Amy has found great joy in her midlife career switch to a Path Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor and an Equine Specialist. She loves to travel and spend time outdoors. Her family includes 2 kids, 2 horses, 1 cat, 1 dog and 1 husband:)

Vicki
Grounds Manager


If you have been to the farm, you have likely seen Vicky bustling around: gathering eggs, feeding the goats and rabbits, raking leaves, tidying up, and keeping tabs on farm happenings.   Known as 'Grandma Vicki' around the farm, she helps maintain the farm grounds, garden and environs and jumps in wherever she might be needed. She has lived at Laughing Buck Farm for over three years and knows the ins and outs of farm life and the community.  She is vibrant and full of energy, ready to greet visitors with a hello and smile.  And if you catch some delicious smells coming from the kitchen, drop in to enjoy some of her amazing cooking!

Leah
Summer Program Instructor

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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!

Liv
PATH Intl CTRI
Adaptive Riding Instructor



Hello! I am 23 years old and have a degree from Colorado State in Equine Science and Psychology. My passion is working with horses and kids to improve mental and physical health. I believe that horses have that magical ability to help us achieve anything we set our heart to. I have been a volunteer and mentee attaining my teaching hours at Laughing Buck Farm for a year now and I am ecstatic to be officially joining their team as an instructor! 

Raven
Barn Manager, Riding Instructor
Farm School Teacher, Summer Camp Instructor

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!

Alexandra
Adaptive Riding Instructor



I am a New York City native and started riding at the age of five and rode until 22, taking lessons, competing in hunter/jumper and cross-country and training unsuccessful racehorses to jump. I took a 20-year break from riding until six years ago when I became involved with adaptive riding, initially as a parent of a rider. Currently, I am a PATH Advanced Instructor, Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning and I am pursuing becoming involved in the therapeutic certification process. I have become extremely fond of English dressage as a riding discipline but love any kind of riding. I especially cherish ride time on my Princess Pony Calypso, a 16.1hh sassy Selle Francais paint mare who has taught me so much. I am a passionate lifelong learner and I love to help people succeed and grow. I love challenges and to travel and should be given a personal GPS tracking device.

Kate
Summer Instructor

 
Hi, I'm Kate and I am full of gratitude to be a part of Laughing Buck Farm school this year!  My greatest passions are children, animals, and living in connection with our natural world.   My most cherished diamonds are the reflections of the sun on a lake when I'm out with my family and I can honestly say I am never bored in nature.  The first pig I fell in love with was "Pig Floyd" and when he learned to trust me and let himself be "flopped" I felt radiant with happiness.
I view challenges as opportunities for healing and awareness, and I think vulnerability is our greatest strength.  I continue to be in awe of how much plants and animals have to offer us humans in areas of self growth and whole hearted living.  I believe the farm is the best learning environment imaginable! I love witnessing kids feel empowered, empatheic or joyful during their time learning how to be farmers.
As a farm school teacher I bring my background in holistic health and education.  I am experienced and committed to working with children with special needs and have had some of my most rewarding and sustained breakthroughs with children on a farm or deep in the woods. e to edit.

Shirley
Summer Instructor, Farm School Teacher

From the time Shirley started coming to Farm School with her granddaughter, we knew she was something special.  She shines with warmth, kindness and a gentleness with kids and animals and we would often have her  help with classes.  We soon learned of her experience with horses, bees, gardening and farming and the next thing you know she had brought her bees and had taken on part of the garden to work with her granddaughter.  She and her husband are now raising pigs at the farm and it's a family affair.  Shirley is a huge help here at the farm and we are blessed to have her working with the children and animals as a Farm School teacher.

Kat
Barn Manager, 4H Leader, Riding Instructor, Summer Program Instructor

"Hello!
My name is Kat, I am a biology student at CSU, and love the natural world. I have been riding horses since I was seven and got my first pony when I was 11. Over the years, I have competed and trained in almost all disciplines of riding. Horses are one of the biggest aspects of my life, I have been in 4H, competed all over Washington State, galloped down the coast at 40 miles per hour, spent many nights sleeping in barns, was a summer camp counselor, and worked on one of the largest ranches in the country. I love spending time outdoors with friends and ponies learning new things. Whether it be giving a five year old their first pony ride or helping more seasoned riders with advanced skills, swapping life stories, learning about chickens and goats, or discussing scientific theories, I am always excited to teach and learn new things. I am so happy to be part of Laughing Buck Farm and its amazing community of teachers, learners, and animals."

Kassidy,
Riding Instructor, Farm School Teacher

Hello! My name is Kassidy and I’m a equine science student at Colorado State University! I love my horse, Chance,  my family and friends, as well as teaching about horses and the art of riding them! I have grown up in Colorado and worked on ranches and farms continuously since I was 10 years old. I have competed around Colorado in western pleasure, english pleasure, hunter/jumper, barrel racing, gymkhana and many more disciplines. Two years ago I rescued my retired racehorse, Chance, and with some extra food and a lot of love he is healthy, happy and with me as his forever home! I enjoy sharing my knowledge of horses in all aspects - from grooming to riding to anatomy and everything in between. I aspire to be an veterinarian with a specialty in equine reproduction and own my own breeding farm in the future! I am always open to a good conversation about horses or farm animals so feel free to ask me questions or just say hi if you see me around the farm! I look forward to meeting more of you this year through Laughing Buck Farm!

Hilliary
Farm School Teacher

"Growing up I spent my days playing in eucalyptus, oak, and persimmon trees, splashing in the creek near my house in what felt like a magical land but was actually the wine country of California. It fostered in me an awareness of our natural world that has guided me throughout my whole life. As an adult it led me to farming and a passion for helping others discover the empowerment that comes from growing their own food. As a farmer, I have found integration and learning opportunities through the foundation of the Herb Oasis Project and involvement with the North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program as well as working at many different Biodynamic and Organic farms across the country. I love to connect with young children and their imaginations with the natural world as our guide. Living simply, I spend as much time outside as possible and continue to challenge myself to learn more sustainable ways of living with our natural environment as a teacher and spiritual guide. When not at one farm or another you may find me playing and swimming with my best dog-friend, Bandito, playing music or hiking, climbing, wild-harvesting, and generally exploring new places! With a passion for language, herbs, good home-cooked food, music, movement, growing and a fascination of our deep connection to with the natural world, I am truly excited to be a part the team at Laughing Buck to help foster an environment of learning for all."

Christine
Farm School Teacher

Look at these faces!  I'm sure you can imagine how these two brighten our days at Laughing Buck Farm.  Christine is a natural with kids and her boy is a natural farmer. You can spot him in his cowboy hat and boots (even with shorts), perhaps pulling some kale from the garden for the goats or maybe hugging a chicken.   Christine is a natural fit with our farm programs as she worked as the Youth Programs Coordinator at the Gardens on Spring Creek for 5 years.  She holds  two undergraduate degrees from CSU:  Human Development and Family Studies and more recently Landscape Horticulture. She says she has had lots of jobs doing many different things including a summer as a wild land fire fighter.  Her very favorite job is being John's mom.  Christine loves how her child is experiencing the earth under his feet and the warm sun (or wind, rain or snow!) above his head.  He's learning the value (and joy) of work and how to be a good steward of the natural world.  Christine believes Laughing Buck Farm provides many opportunities for honing interpersonal skills with children, adults and animals and is grateful for the beautiful space that the farm provides. 

Christine's pottery can be found at www.Screendoorstudios.com and at The Fort Collins Museum of Art.