Adopt A Farm Animal this holiday season

Valley residents young and old are welcome to adopt a farm animal for the day at Our Little Farm in Palmer. Families are invited to visit the farm and experience what it is like to care for farm animals. The farm has been open to the community for around a decade, and owner Tammy Sunderland wanted to find a new way to get people involved this holiday season.

“Everybody that's around here just treats the farm as their own,” Sunderland said. “That's the cool thing about doing a program like this. It brings [out] new families and people that may not have been aware that we're here, and gives them the opportunity to [participate].”

Sunderland had the idea to offer the Adopt A Farm Animal program after experiencing the success of their weekly Kinder Hours. The program provides kindergarten age children and their families an hour-long farm tour and horse or pony ride.

“A lot of families want to come and hang out with the animals, not necessarily ride, but to get out there and get their hands on and feed them and groom them,” Sunderland said. “And learn about the care process.”

Adoption prices vary depending on the animal chosen for the day. Horses cost $20, ponies cost $10, goats and pigs cost $5 and turkeys, chickens and rabbits cost $15. The price includes feed and care items. Horseback riding time can be added on for an additional charge.

Funds raised for the Adopt A Farm Animal program will help with feeding expenses this winter.

“We house about 40 horses here, and about a dozen goats, some pigs, chickens, rabbits,” Sunderland said. “So the feed bill is high.”

Participants will learn and interact with the animal they choose. They will learn anatomy, feeding habits, grooming, how to lead the animal around and how to communicate with their new four legged friend.

There are no time constraints for adopting a farm animal. Visitors can spend all day at the farm.

“It seems like a lot of the kids are really enjoying it,” Ciara “CiCi” Abbott, lead instructor and manager assistant, said. “And every time they come out, we find more and more things that they can do with their animal and learn about it.”

Those that are interested in adopting a farm animal for the day can contact Our Little Farm In Palmer by phone, email or their Facebook page. Staff are on-site during business hours and walk-ins are also welcome.

Sunderland plans to keep the Adopt A Farm Animal going through December. The farm may extend this program through winter and into next year if there is enough interest and participation.

The program is for people of all ages. While families with young children may be drawn to the farm, Abbott emphasized that adults are welcome to participate in the program.

“If your heart longs for a friend or a companion, this is the right spot to do it at,” Abbott said.