Stay connected with the latest happenings at Joppa Hill Educational Farm! Check here regularly for barnyard updates, new arrivals, and changes to our farm community.
May 2025
High Fashion or Farm Function?
If you’ve spotted a couple of our hens strutting around in tiny aprons lately, no, this isn’t a new marketing strategy (yet). Those are called chicken saddles (also known as hen aprons), and they serve a practical purpose for these gals.
These stylish little outfits help protect a hen’s back feathers from overzealous roosters during mating season. Without the extra layer, some hens can end up with bald spots or even skin damage, especially in spring when love (and flapping) is in the air.
Think of them as safety vests…with ruffles.
April 2025
The Dinner Pen
Nope, it’s not a horse jail. You haven’t caught anyone breaking curfew or sneaking extra hay (yet). This is our brand-new feed pen, designed to help volunteers separate horses during mealtime.
Why? Because even the best barn buddies can get a little hangry. This setup lets each horse enjoy their food without any side-eye or nudging moments (mostly).
It’s just one of the small upgrades we’re making to keep things running smoothly, for humans and horses alike!
April 2025
Goats Gone Wild – (Responsibly)
New pasture, who dis? The goats have relocated behind the sheep for the summer, and they’re vibing with the fresh scenery and premium grass selection.
This move is part of our rotational grazing plan, kind of like crop rotation, but furrier. It helps our fields stay healthy and our goats stay happy.
Stop by and say hi – they’re always up for a scratch or judging your outfit from across the fence.
April 2025
What’s With All the Fences?
Nope, we’re not prepping for a goat rodeo or starting a very slow-paced obstacle course. Those white lines you see throughout the pastures are temporary electric fencing, set up as part of our rotational grazing plan.
By blocking off sections of pasture, we give the grass time to regrow, which improves soil health, boosts nutrition, and helps prevent overgrazing. It’s like giving the land a well-earned spa day… or month(s).
Not everyone is thrilled about the setup. Dundee the emu, for example, has opinions. But don’t worry, she can clear the fence like an Olympic hurdler or duck under it like a ninja when really wants to. (Ask us how we know.)
January 2025
Dundee Dispatch: Looking for Dundee, our emu? She’s doing great, but she’s a bit of a snowbird-literally. When there’s snow on the ground, she prefers to hang out in the back corners of the horse pasture. Fun fact: female emus can go weeks without food or water thanks to their efficient metabolism. But don’t worry, when she skips mealtimes, we often bring her a bucket of warm water and a special delivery of emu chow. Sometimes she’s interested, sometimes she’s not. Emus, are we right?
Despite providing three cozy shelters and two massive straw piles, Dundee insists on lying directly on the ground, especially on top of dead leaves. We assume it’s a personal preference, but we like to think she’s just keeping up with her “free spirit” reputation.
Bunny Breakouts & Winter Lodging: Our bunnies are wintering inside the barn as in the past. Rabbits can actually tolerate cold temperatures well, as long as they have shelter from wind and rain. But these little escape artists had other plans: in the summer and fall months, they continuously dug themselves out of their outdoor enclosure, leading to week-long scavenger hunts. Add in the icy terrain, which makes it tough for volunteers to safely reach them for feeding, and we decided the great indoors would continue to be the best option. So, for now, they’re warm, well-fed, and (mostly) contained.
Mystery in the Front Pastures! If you’ve been by the farm recently, you might have noticed that the enclosures up front, where our Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Lavender and Rosemary, once ruled alongside some feathery friends, are now empty. Even the chicken coop has disappeared! But fear not, this isn’t a farmyard ghost story. We’re resting the space and getting it prepped for new arrivals in the spring! What’s coming? That’s a surprise… but let’s just say we’re very excited about the future farm residents. Stay tuned!
October 21, 2024
Today, we said goodbye to Hiolair and Kayne, the majestic Gypsy Vanner horses, and their bestie, Chanel the cow, as they made their way back home to their beautifully restored pasture. A huge thank you to their wonderful owners, Ashlee and Frank Maillett, who have become such dear friends to the farm. We’ve been so lucky to have these beautiful animals with us, sharing their funny personalities and antics through summer camp, and the changing seasons. They brought so much joy to Suzie, Bessie, our visitors and volunteers alike, and we’ll all miss them dearly. 
Safe travels, Hiolair, Kayne, and Chanel—you’ll always have a special place in our hearts!