Please read
Experience & Areas of Knowledge
Hands-on animal care from growing up on a small farm and 4-H
Dairy cow management and daily milking routines
Animal science education at the college level
Commercial dairy operations (milking an 80-cow herd)
Dairy cattle evaluation and conformation (dairy judging team experience)
Pasture-raised livestock systems
Raising laying hens and meat birds
Raising pigs for meat
Poultry processing (on-farm chicken processing)
Starting and managing a small homestead
Please take time to read through our website to determine if our school is a good fit for you. We believe it’s important that our farm, program, and values align with yours before committing to enrollment.
Background
On Our Homestead
Welcome to our family homestead in Polk City! Our little farm is built around hands-on learning, caring for animals, and sharing the joys of homesteading with others. We raise goats for fresh milk while some of our goats are simply pets (Perry). Our chickens provide both eggs and meat, helping teach the importance of sustainable living and where food comes from. We also have rabbits that are currently loved as pets, with plans to responsibly add meat rabbits in the future. Our cows are part of our educational farm experience and are wonderful for learning, grooming, and building confidence around large animals.
As our homestead continues to grow, we are excited to welcome ducks soon and hope to add sheep in the future! Whether you are visiting to learn, spend time with animals, or experience life on a working homestead, we strive to create a warm, welcoming environment where families can slow down, connect with nature, and make lasting memories together.
Hello, my name is Emily. I am a mom to a four-year-old who will be with me during classes. I was raised on a small farm where we cared for a wide variety of animals, and from an early age I developed a strong interest in dairy cows.
I studied animal science in upstate New York, where I also worked on a commercial dairy milking an 80-cow herd. During that time, I was part of a dairy judging team and traveled throughout the country evaluating dairy cattle. After returning home, I worked on a pasture-raised farm that produced eggs, meat chickens, and pork, where I gained hands-on experience processing chickens. I then moved to Florida and started my homestead in Polk City.
I also currently teach kindergarten faith formation at our church.
Ask me anything!
Parents are expected to stay during classes unless prior arrangements are made. Younger or older children- not attending the program- may remain with parents in designated areas during class time. Classes will begin the week of February 23 and will run year-round.
Classes offered
Program Duration: One Month or 4 classes
Each student will attend one two-hour class per week. Every class is a hands-on farm experience where students actively participate in daily farm responsibilities such as feeding animals, cleaning and caring for living spaces, and learning proper animal handling and husbandry techniques.
Each week will feature a different farm task based on seasonal needs, giving students real-life exposure to how a working homestead operates. This allows them to build practical skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of farm life.
In addition to structured activities, each class includes 30 minutes of intentional free time. During this time, students are encouraged to bring a book or journal, or simply enjoy observing and spending quiet time with the animals. This helps foster connection, reflection, responsibility, and a calm relationship with the farm environment.
Classes are limited to 5 students to ensure safety, individualized instruction, and meaningful hands-on participation.
Enjoy a private, one-hour hands-on farm lesson where your child(ren) gets the farm to themselves for a personalized, one-on-one learning experience! Each student gets to choose their own lesson topic, with available options including cow grooming, raising chicks, butter making, bunny care, and goat milking. This special experience allows children to learn directly through hands-on activities while building confidence and farm skills in a fun and engaging environment. You must email to secure your preferred date and time.