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
Penelope
Penelope
Penelope
Penelope is a Dorset sheep. She 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 grown to love affection 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
Penelope
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!
Luna
Lavender
Lavender
Luna and Lavender are our newest additions! They are half babydoll half shetland breed. Their small breed is perfect for our little preschoolers! They produce great wool just like Olive!
Lavender
Lavender
Lavender
Luna's half sister! They are sweet as can be!
Did you know...sheep can self-medicate by consuming specific plants to treat ailments!
Sheep are highly intelligent, possessing excellent problem-solving, learning, and memory skills!
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
Cindy Lou who
Noelle
Noelle is playful and is the only one to have a beard!
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!
Cocoa
Rose & Tulip
Noelle
Cocoa is Cindylou's baby! She's one of four that she delivered and we decided to keep due to her beautiful markings!
Rose & Tulip
Rose & Tulip
Rose & Tulip
These pretty girls joinied us summer 2025! They are your standard looking nigerian dwarf. Rose has a white leg (that's how we tell them apart)!
Our Flock
Chickens
Chickens
Chickens
We have a variety of rhode island reds and golden comet hens which produce some incredible eggs for our breakfast!!
Chicken Facts
Chicken Embryos develop and hatch in 21 days!
There are over 65 breeds of chickens that live in the United States!
Also, chickens lay an egg a day! That adds up when you have a whole flock of them!
Peafowl
Chickens
Chickens
We just started with three beautiful peachicks! They're still young so we aren't sure of their genders yet!
Did you know...only males are called peacocks! The females are called peahens.
It takes three years for their colorful train to develop!
Our Pigs
Hammy (Ham Solo)
Chewy (Chewboarka)
Chewy (Chewboarka)
Hammy is a Kune Kune (kun-ee) breed of pig. We find them to be much friendlier than your pot belly pig! They don't develop those big pot bellies, they're rather long and have a squished face.
Pig Facts
Kunekune pigs were domesticated in New Zealand by the Māori people, and their name means "fat and round" in Māori.
Chewy (Chewboarka)
Chewy (Chewboarka)
Chewy (Chewboarka)
Chewy is quite sweet! He enjoys his belly rubs and loves his brother! Both boys came to us summer of 2024!
Pig Terms
Boars: Male Pig
Sow: Female Pig
Piglet: Baby Pig
Bunnies
Bunnies
We always have a variety of baby bunnies that we get to watch grow from day olds up to 5 weeks old thanks to local farms who let us borrow a mama and her babies!
You can visit: Blueberry Birch Farm for available babies!
Rabbit Facts
The gestation period is about 4-5 weeks.
Rabbits have up to 15 kits (babies), but on average, they have about 5-7 kits per litter.
Kits are born with no fur. Their eyes and ears are sealed shut until a few days to 2 weeks old!
Animals
