Meet the Farm Animals and Learn How They Become Teachers

When you first step onto the farm, Laverne and Shirley, the social butterflies in our flock of free-range chickens, will greet you. These girls are super curious and love attention. Just like people, each hen has her own personality. A few are on the shy side and like to keep to themselves, but with an intentional approach, they will eventually get close to you. Midge and Sophia, however, prefer to keep a consistent distance, so much so that when the hens go to bed for the night, they are always the last to the coop.

Next, you will likely notice the large paddock, home to two Zebu cows, a Zebu bull, and a Jersey steer. When you think of a bull, it is easy to picture a huge, aggressive creature; however, Shorty is nothing like that. Measuring around three feet tall, he is incredibly playful and loves scratches between his horns. Jolene, one of the cows, is very food-motivated and will usually be the first to approach guests in search of a snack. Observing from a few feet behind, you’ll see Connie, our other Zebu cow. But don’t worry, her round belly is evidence that she finds her way in for plenty of snacks. Jax, our Jersey steer, is the baby on the farm. He is less than a year old and is a HUGE sweetie! Literally, he is already taller than all the full-grown Zebus and is expected to eventually weigh more than 1,000 pounds!

There are also four retired Nubian goats that spend their days lounging, grazing, and creating a little mischief along the way. The goats have a dramatically different energy level and relatively no sense of personal space compared to the other animals on the farm. If you participate in our programs, such as Tuesday Night Tuck-In, you can expect them to get very close as they excitedly wag their tails just like dogs. Sisters Amy and Katniss especially like to walk up and casually lean against you or rub around like cats. Cappy is the leader of her herd and the most vocal, calling for attention, which she typically gets. Echo, Cappy’s sister, is quiet and more of a loner. But don’t let her calm demeanor fool you, as she is the first to test the fences to see if they are turned off so she can feast on plants around the farm.

With a much more laid-back demeanor, Empowerment Farm is also home to two Sulcata tortoises. Herbert, our 4-year-old, is around the size of a dinner plate and loves to cover his shell with dirt while he digs and rearranges his enclosure. Yoda is our gentle giant, weighing at 150 pounds, and is 27. He can be easily spotted when in his enclosure, especially when any hibiscus flowers are offered to him. Every week, Yoda gets a day or two to free-range around our five-acre farm. He usually ends up in the food forest before we walk him back to his house, taking upwards of 30 minutes at times. He is a master at teaching patience!

Finally, you will meet two bunnies with two very different personalities. Millie, our albino Florida Hare, spends her days outside where she can dig to her heart’s content. Millie is very social and energetic and is eager to hop around and visit everyone. Our other bunny, Punkin, is very calm and prefers to visit one person at a time. She has even been known to hop into laps for cuddles. We call Punkin our “boujee bunny.” As a Rex rabbit, she cannot tolerate the Florida heat and prefers to spend her days in the farmhouse bunny room with her furniture, radio, fan, and, of course, lots of snacks.

And we can’t forget our frequent visitor, Breezy, who has not yet become a full-time resident due to her playful behavior and need for constant attention! She is a 5-year-old registered Paint mare and absolutely loves kids, almost as much as treats. Breezy comes to the farm for camps, programs, and events. The rest of the herd isn’t fully convinced of their friendship yet, as Breezy loves running around in the pasture to play. Her long stride gives her a great advantage over everyone else’s short legs.

SO, HOW DO ALL THESE PERSONALITIES BECOME TEACHERS?

Interacting with or even simply observing an animal helps bring us into the present moment, but there are many additional benefits to spending time around animals. Farm animals offer a unique companionship that encourages people of all ages to develop emotional intelligence, patience, and empathy. One way this happens is through developing a sense of responsibility and commitment by feeding, grooming, and caring for animals. Learning how to care for an animal or mastering a new skill, such as picking a horse’s hooves or milking a goat, can also provide a huge boost in confidence. That sense of accomplishment can spark curiosity and lead to even more questions and learning.

When you are fully present, without screens or notifications, you can connect with and observe life more intentionally. Animals provide space where you can absorb your surroundings and focus on little things.

This is also why animals are some of the best teachers of nonverbal communication. Hens like Laverne and Shirley are not startled easily; however, hens like Cilantro and Patrisha require a very slow, calm, and quiet approach. Like people, animals are constantly sending subtle cues about how they are feeling. You can see it in a goat’s wagging tail when she is happy or through the position of a bunny’s ears. For example, if a bunny completely flattens its ears, it may be nervous.

Interacting with and observing animals helps us become more attuned to emotions, body language, and the needs of those around us. Sometimes the best teachers on the farm never say a word.

EXPERIENCE THE FARM FIRSTHAND!

Join us for Tuesday Night Tuck-In, every Tuesday from 3:30–5:30 PM. This educational program provides an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to participate in the evening feeding routine and enter the paddocks with the animals. Participants learn how to prepare and serve the animals’ meals while also learning about animal care and etiquette. Learn more at EmpowermentFarm.org.