How we got here
After years of traveling the state with our mobile petting zoo service, we witnessed the joy and curiosity that animals bring to people of all ages. This inspired us to establish a new one-of-a-kind program in a permanent location.
In 2015, our vision came to life with the opening of Little Farmers, which created a space for children to learn about and interact with various farm animals while supporting their development across all areas.
In 2020, we remodeled our barn and added a new classroom area, transforming our facility into a vibrant environment where children can gain valuable knowledge about farming!
What does a visit to the farm look like?
When the children arrive at the farm, our animals greet them excitedly, and unique opportunities await them! During the school year, we start our visit with a short lesson about the animal of the month, which could be anything from learning about different breeds to the purpose of each animal (milk, meat, pets). We alter our barn curriculum for camp to go more in-depth for our school-age campers and do weekly themes instead. Prepare yourself- these lessons become popular discussions at your dinner table!
The kids then get to interact directly with the animals by petting, brushing and observing! This hands-on experience is rich in sensory involvement. After our animal interaction, we sometimes guide the children in tasks like cleaning the animal's stalls, washing their buckets, collecting eggs, sweeping, putting new shavings down, and more. It's a comprehensive learning experience that the children absolutely love
THE BENEFITS of Farming on CHILD DEVELOPMENT
- Creates a strong sense of passion, empathy, love, and respect for all living things
- It teaches about the circle of life
- Appreciation for nature
- It teaches responsibility
- It builds character
- Instills good work ethic
- Improves problem-solving skills
- Builds fine and gross motor skills
- Encourages sensory development
- Promotes the development of language
Our Committment to health and sAFETY
Our animals, many of which have been raised on our farm since birth, are not just pets but also valuable educational resources. They are seen annually by Fenton River Vet in Tolland, receive annual vaccinations, and are checked over daily for any sign of injury or illness prior to their interaction with the children. This ensures a safe and enriching learning experience for all!
We have strict barn rules for the safety of both the children and the animals. We go over these rules before animal interaction on each farm visit.
The children wear boots and overalls to protect their clothes and prevent the cross-contamination of bacteria at our school center. The stalls are cleaned regularly. After our barn visit, we supervise everyone to ensure they wash their hands properly and thoroughly!
Our Big guys
Huey
Charlie
Donkey
Huey (pronounced Hue-EE) is one of the most popular animals amongst the children and families at Little Farmers! Huey has been interacting with children since we brought him home in 2008. He is one of our sweetest animals and will gladly greet you with a forehead kiss! Huey is a Haucaya breed of alpaca and was born on 9/4/2007!
Alpaca Facts
Alpacas hum when they're happy and scream when there is danger!
Alpacas live 15-20 years!
Believe it or not, there are no wild alpacas in existence. They are all domesticated, making them a truly unique species!
Donkey
Charlie
Donkey
Donkey is our miniature donkey. He has been a part of the farm since 2008 and has traveled all over CT with the Sharon Mobile Petting Zoo. He is full of personality! If you squat down in front of me, he enjoys giving hugs. Donkey loves to race his best friend, Charlie, up and down their field! He was born on 7/5/2007!
Donkey Facts
Donkeys are farm protectors and let out a "bray" to communicate there is danger nearby or to let everyone know it is mealtime!
Charlie
Charlie
Charlie
Charlie is an American Miniature Horse. Charlie also joined the farm in 2008 to be a companion to a rescue horse named Sparky. When Sparky passed at 58 years old, he became best friends with Donkey! Charlie is a little shy and does not like Donkey to be out of his sight, but has a kind heart that the kids love to see! Charlie was born 11/2/2007!
Miniature Horse Facts
Most miniature horses live over the age of 30!
Miniature horses are becoming popular therapy animals!
Our Sheep
Dolly
Penelope
Penelope
Dolly is an East Friesian Sheep. She joined the farm in 2018 at 3 years old. Dolly was timid when she first arrived but quickly turned into a love! She loves being around people and will put her face on your lap for face scratches. Dolly has become famous for sticking her tongue out when you scratch her back just right!
Sheep Facts
Sheep lifespan: 12-15 years
There are almost 1000 breeds of sheep!
Sheep have rectangular pupils- creating almost 320-degree vision!
Penelope
Penelope
Penelope
Penelope is a Dorset sheep. I joined the farm as a baby in 2020. This large breed of sheep is popular for high-quality wool and meat. Penelope used to be nervous but has also grown to love scratches and attention! Now, she makes sure she is the first to get back scratches and wags her tongue around when you hit the right spot!
Sheep Terms
Ewe: Female Sheep
Ram: Male Sheep
Lamb: Baby Sheep
Olive
Penelope
Olive
Olive is a mix of Baby Doll and Romney sheep breeds. She joined the farm in the spring of 2024 and was bottle-fed by many kids who attend our programs! Olive is a curious, brave, and gentle girl. She loves running in the field with Miss Jessica's dog, Winston!
Did You Know?
A ewe can pick out their own lamb's bleat out of all the babies!
Sheep have friends, and after they get sheered, it takes a few days for them to adjust to their new looks!
Our Goats
Cindy Lou who
Cindy Lou who
Cindy Lou who
Cindy Lou Who and her sisters were all born on Christmas day 2021. She is a Nigerian Dwarf goat. She is tri-color with beautiful blue eyes! Many Little Farmers bottle-fed Cindy Lou as a baby! She is easygoing and calmer than her sisters!
Goat Facts
Goat lifespan: 12-15 years
Nigerian Dwarf Goats are often used for dairy because they are great producers!
Clarice
Cindy Lou who
Cindy Lou who
Clarice is named after Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer's friend from the movie because of her Christmas 2021 birthday! Clarice loves attention and loves scratches! She is curious and has a wild side when she plays with her sister Noelle!
Goat Terms
Doe: Female Goat
Buck: Male Goat
Kid: Baby Goat
Noelle & Joy
Cindy Lou who
Noelle & Joy
Noelle is playful and is the only one to have a beard! Noelle gave birth to Joy on the farm in July 2024. Joy, living up to her name, brought joy to the campers this year and quickly became a favorite with her boundless energy and talkative nature.
Did You Know?
The gestation period for goats is 150 days (5 months)
Goats typically have 1-3 kids per litter but can have up to 4!
Our Flock
Fluffanutter
Donald Duck & his Ladies
Tom & Butterball
Fluffanutter is a Silkie chicken. She lives in our barn classroom with her daughter Fluff! Fluffanutter is well known for her "wild hair" due to her fine and soft feathers! Silkie chickens cannot fly because of their feathers. Fluffaunutter loves to talk to the kids and always makes them giggle!
Chicken Facts
Chicken Embryos develop and hatch in 21 days!
There are over 65 breeds of chickens that live in the United States!
Tom & Butterball
Donald Duck & his Ladies
Tom & Butterball
Tom and Butterball joined the farm in the summer of 2021! The kids are fascinated by Tom's snood (a piece of skin that hangs over his beak that gets longer depending on how he is feeling!) and his caruncle (the bumps on his neck). Tom can change the color of his neck from white to blue or bright red!
Turkey Facts
To attract females, male turkeys will Strut. They will fan their tail feathers, stick their wings to the ground, and change their caruncle to red. When they poof out their feathers, you can hear a vibrating sound!
Donald Duck & his Ladies
Donald Duck & his Ladies
Donald Duck & his Ladies
Donald Duck is a Khaki Campbell Duck who joined the farm in 2018. He is the one with the green head and a yellow bill. The kids love it when Donald Duck visits them because he wiggles his tail feathers if you pet him down his back!
Duck Facts
A group of ducks is called a flock when flying but called a paddling, team, or raft when in water!
Male ducks have a curled tail feather that females do not have!
Our Pigs
Frank
Frank
Frank
Frank is a Kunekune pig (coo-NEE coo-NEE). He and his brother joined the farm in the spring of 2022! Frank is bigger than his brother. Once they got too big to sit on laps, they got lazy! Frank will tip right over if you scratch his belly just right!
Pig Facts
Kunekune pigs were domesticated in New Zealand by the Māori people, and their name means "fat and round" in Māori.
Oscar
Frank
Frank
Oscar is smaller and has a white marking across his face. Oscar also loves getting tummy scratches and usually tips over faster than Frank! This breed of pig are grazers and enjoy foraging! You will find the pigs under a mountain of blankets when the weather is cold!
Pig Terms
Boars: Male Pig
Sow: Female Pig
Piglet: Baby Pig
Our Rabit
Clover
Clover is a Holland Lop and the newest addition to the farm as of fall 2024! We work with several farms that let us borrow newborn rabbits and their mom for their first 6-weeks! This allows the children to see the tremendous development during that time! After spending the summer at Little Farmers, Clover loved us so much he officially became part of the farm!
Rabbit Facts
The gestation period is about 4-5 weeks.
Rabbits have up to 15 kits (babies), but on average, they have about 7 kits per litter.
Kits are born with no fur. Their eyes and ears are sealed shut.
Animals
