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Rosemary Jedel GraffRosemary has a background in teaching and when she and her family moved to Colorado in 2007, she turned their farm into her outdoor classroom. In addition to offering riding lessons and 4-H horse programs for children, she created Farm School, where kids of all ages work, play and learn outside as they ride and care for horses, gather eggs, milk goats, feed the pigs, care for the rabbits, tend to the garden and swing in the huge haybarn.
Laughing Buck Farm strives to include and invite people of all background and abilities and has a therapeutic riding program as well as summer sensory camps for kiddos with ASD. FarmHer Rosemary continues to find therapeutic benefits in this unique setting and loves exposing kids, adults and families to the joys of connecting with nature, moving their bodies through work and play, and developing relationships with creatures great and small. She founded the nonprofit, Friends of Laughing Buck Farm, in 2018 to develop educational and therapeutic horse and farm experiences for everyone. |
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Kate AstI began my connection with Laughing Buck Farm assisting FarmHer Rosemary with her program in 2014. I fell in love with their authentic approach to agricultural education, outdoor learning, equines and their healing farm community.
In class one winter day, I remember holding hands with a small farmer as I brought up the rear. Our morning chores and lunch in the hay barn were complete, and we now followed Rosemary like ducklings across the largest pasture, imitating her movements and instructions and vibing with the presence of the horses. As we approached the back fence, she confidently invited us to get down on our bellies and smell the soft earth as we scoot under the fence. This was literally part of the class instructional experience for a group of preschool aged children. To mindfully smell the earth. Not only do you learn how to ride a horse, or feed and clean up after the pigs, chickens, and goats, you learn how to live a bit more wild and free. You learn what it feels like to be present together. These are the details that Laughing Buck imparts. We did as we were told. I can smell that earth right now. On a visceral level, at that precise moment, I understood that these shared farm experiences were healing on a level were profound. I have tried to stay around the farm and support its mission ever since. I am now privileged to participate on the board of directors. I bring my experience as a special education teacher and deep desire to be a humble advocate for people with unique abilities to be valued and seen in our community spaces. We all have much to learn from each other. |
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Michelle HindmanTo me the importance of connecting with nature and animals cannot be stressed enough and the way in which this connection is fostered at Laughing Buck with a hands-on connection to the rhythms of nature touches my heart. I have great appreciation for the positive, nearly meditative way in which each moment and task is approached, no matter how challenging it may seem.
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Michael DevarouxI became a member of the board in the hope to encourage young people of all abilities to come experience farm life--something I was fortunately able to grow up with, which many children wouldn’t get to experience without Laughing Buck Farm. Being around farm animals and having chores is the perfect combination of work and play. Planting and harvesting is what helps you to grow.
Although I’m a quadriplegic I get out every chance I get. I drive my power-chair all over Fort Collins with the help of our bus system and Dial-A-Ride. I have a hand-cycle I ride once in a while when helpers are available. I stay physically active by working out with weights three times a week. It’s the continuation of weight training and cycling I did for years prior to becoming a quadriplegic in 2003. I broke my neck mountain biking on Horsetooth Mountain. But that’s a story for another time. |
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Lindsay Gerdes |
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Kristi ZambranoKristi Zambrano moved to Fort Collins about 5 years ago with her husband and 2 boys in order to have more access to the outdoors and nature. Kristi now works in operations for a real estate group, but spent 20 years previously as a social worker & family therapist, working with youth and families dealing with abuse & neglect in Chicago, Phoenix and Oakland.
Kristi joined the board after experiencing the farm through her 2 boys -- who have loved the opportunities the farm has provided them!! Kristi hopes to bring more farm opportunities to the families and children involved in the foster care system in Northern Colorado. |
