With new shade overhead and new animals in the barnyard, Tucson Village Farm is inviting the community back for its second annual Barnyard Trot on Saturday, March 7, a fundraiser-turned-farm festival that celebrates hands-on learning, youth development and the growing role of animals at the farm.

“We’re expanding our current programming to include animals,” said Animal Education Program Coordinator Sabra Louise Mayer. “We know that there are positive youth development outcomes that come from having kids interact with animals.”

The new animal education center currently houses goats and chickens, with sheep expected to join them in the coming months. The center offers students hands-on experiences learning how to care for farm animals on a daily basis, along with classes on topics such as biosecurity, nutrition and socializing.

“We want to equip youth who come to the center with skills such as emotional-social regulation, the development of a sense of empathy, responsibility and goal setting,” Mayer said.

The decision to bring animals to the farm grew out of both community interest and the farm’s own mission.

For years, visitors asked, “You’re a farm—why don’t you have animals?” In response, the farm introduced chickens in 2015, though that remained the extent of its livestock for several years.

Continued interest from the community eventually led to the expansion of animals and the creation of the center.

Tucson Village Farm’s 4-H Club, the Healthy Living Ambassadors, currently has 200 members who can “adopt” an animal for the season, build relationships, learn about its care and watch as it grows.

“I’m a Pima County 4H alumni, and growing up within the 4H community, I had the privilege of being able to raise animals for my 4H projects,” Mayer said. “I also got to learn and see, like, how many barriers to access kids have to having those experiences, raising and taking care of animals.”

Barriers can include a lack of access to land, transportation or financial resources, or a lack of knowledge about caring for animals, Mayer said.

“I came with this dream of figuring out how can we make animals more accessible?” Mayer said. “When I started at the farm, my own interest in creating more access within the community for youth really connected well.”

Last year’s Barnyard Trot was a fundraiser for the farm’s new shade structure, which has since been installed.

This year’s event includes a team challenge as its primary fundraiser. Attendees will enjoy a high-energy, family-friendly morning with youth teams taking on fun, cooperative farm-animal-themed challenges.

Teams can register as pairs or in groups of up to six and will move through 12 stations around the farm, where they will be challenged to work together using communication, problem-solving and leadership skills. The challenges will emphasize teamwork, problem solving, and some light physical activity.

For participants without a team, there will be a random group, with the challenge course is designed to be fun, balanced, and supportive, providing everyone with a great experience.

The event will also include an expo that Mayer likened to a farm festival, showcasing the farm and introducing attendees to the new education center and animals. The day will include raffles, educational family activities, a farm market, sourdough pancake breakfast, awards for challenge winners, a baby chick “adoption” and more.

Adopters can name their chick, and those who participate will also receive a metal chick that can be delivered to a person of their choice as an April Fool’s Day prank. The activity, known as “The Clucking,” began at last spring’s barn dance, with all proceeds going toward a year’s worth of feed for that chick.

The expo area and access to the Animal Education Center is free, but donations are accepted. Participation in challenges requires a ticket, which includes a meal pass for the pancake breakfast and raffle ticket, which are also available to purchase separately.

Ruby Maldonado is a Pima Community College student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at rhmaldonado99@gmail.com.

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