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“Let’s give it time.” Sometimes that is exactly what a child needs. Children grow and learn at different rates. But when a child consistently struggles with reading, spelling, writing, or math, parents are often left wondering: How much time should I actually give it? Then comes the assessment report: 18th percentile. Below benchmark. Approaching standard. One grade level behind. Those numbers can feel scary, but they don't tell the whole story. If your child scores at the 18th percentile, it doesn't mean they got 18% correct. It means their performance was at or above approximately 18% of the comparison group on that particular assessment. More importantly, I want to know: Behind in what? Kids WANT to achieve, WANT to learn and WANT to keep pace with their peers-let's get them THERE together! A child may understand everything they hear but struggle to decode unfamiliar words. Another may read accurately but slowly. Another may understand multiplication but struggle to remember math facts. The label “behind” isn't nearly as useful as identifying the specific skills that are missing. 🚩 Look for Patterns, Not One Score One low assessment score isn't necessarily cause for alarm. A consistent pattern is much more important. Is your child repeatedly guessing at words? Forgetting spelling patterns they've practiced? Avoiding writing? Struggling to retain math facts or previously taught concepts? Needing significantly more help than expected? Also listen to what your child is telling you. “I hate reading.” “I'm bad at math.” “I can't do this.” Tears, avoidance, frustration, and shutting down don't automatically mean a learning disability is present, but they are important information. When learning consistently feels this difficult, it's worth asking why. ⏰ When Should We Stop “Waiting and Seeing”? Instead of asking, “Should we wait another six months?” I encourage parents to ask, “What exactly are we waiting to see?” If we're giving a child more time, there should be a plan. What skill are we targeting? What instruction will they receive? How will progress be measured? When will we check again? Waiting isn't an intervention. Time can be helpful when it's paired with appropriate instruction, practice, and progress monitoring. Simply hoping a persistent struggle disappears is different. 📚 Find the Missing Foundation Reading and math both build upon foundational skills. Sometimes a struggling reader doesn't need more reading. They need more explicit instruction in how to read. The same is true in math. Weak foundational skills can make multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and eventually algebra increasingly difficult. Instead of deciding that a child is “bad at reading” or “bad at math,” ask a much more useful question: What part of the foundation is missing? 🌻 What Can Parents Do? Look at your child's work and progress over time. Ask teachers which specific skills are strong, where the gaps are, what support is being provided, and how progress is being measured. One of my favorite questions for parents to ask is: “Is my child responding to the instruction they are receiving?” If appropriate instruction is happening and meaningful progress isn't, it may be time to look deeper, seek additional support, or consider whether an evaluation is appropriate. ❤️ Behind Today Doesn't Define Tomorrow A child being behind today does not tell us what that child is capable of becoming. A low reading score doesn't define intelligence. Difficulty with multiplication doesn't define mathematical potential. Struggling with spelling doesn't mean a child doesn't have incredible ideas. The goal isn't to panic over a low score. It's to notice, investigate, teach, monitor, adjust, and support. That's a big part of what I do at My Learning Farm through individualized reading, writing, spelling and math instruction, homeschool support, and special education advocacy. Rather than focusing only on “How far behind is my child?”, I want families to ask a question that gives us somewhere to go: “What does my child need next?” That's a question we can do something about please reach out to scghedule an educational consultation to learn ore about next steps- start with a no cost phone call here: https://calendar.app.google/xFSZwNNfi5dyJkP76 or book an educational consultation here: https://calendar.app.google/N2BB1sy4QAsRznzSA 🌻❤️

Only a Couple Spots Left! There is something pretty special about gathering together on the farm with a great book, new friends, animals nearby, and plenty of opportunities to learn, create, explore, and have FUN. ❤️ Spring registration for My Learning Farm READS! is now open—and we only have a couple of spots remaining! This spring, we’ll be diving into My Side of the Mountain and turning a wonderful story into a hands-on literacy adventure. 📚 And here’s one of the best parts: I do the reading! READS! is designed to welcome all kinds of learners, including reluctant readers and students who may struggle with decoding. Children can enjoy a rich novel, participate in meaningful discussions, and build important literacy skills without the pressure of having to independently read the entire book. Throughout our 12 weeks together, we’ll explore: 🌿 Vocabulary and word meanings ✏️ Written responses and building stronger sentences 💬 Comprehension, discussion, and making connections 🔎 Deeper thinking about characters, setting, and events 🎨 Crafts, games, projects, and hands-on activities 🐴 Plenty of farm fun and visits with our animal friends! READS! is about so much more than finishing a book. It’s about helping children discover that reading and learning can be joyful while building skills, confidence, friendships, and a connection to great stories. 🌱 Come READ & Grow With Us! With only a couple of spaces remaining for Spring READS!, now is a great time to reserve your child’s spot. 👉 Register for Spring READS!:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-If3v-Zu5WoecK2iiGYoWrXhCjeHW0g-fLfMThP-chKCjmA/viewform 🐓 Learn more about My Learning Farm and READS!:https://www.mylearningfarm.com I can’t wait for another season of books, friendships, animals, learning, and adventures on the farm. Come grow with us!🌱📚🐾

Math confidence isn’t just about numbers. It’s about how a child feels when they sit down to learn. When a child feels confident in math, something powerful happens:they begin to trust themselves. They raise their hand more. They try harder problems. They take healthy risks.They bounce back faster when something feels tricky. But when math has been difficult for a long time—especially for children with dyscalculia—confidence can quietly fade. Many students start believing things like:“I’m not smart.”“I can’t do this.”“I’m always wrong.” And that belief doesn’t stay in math. It can spill into reading, writing, science, friendships, and even how they see themselves as a person. A child who feels defeated in math may stop trying in other areas too—not because they can’t learn, but because they’re afraid of failing again. At My Learning Farm, we focus on building math confidence from the inside out. Yes—we teach skills.But we also teach courage.We teach persistence.We teach “Let’s try again.” We create a learning space where students feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow without shame. We slow down when needed, break concepts into smaller steps, and use hands-on learning to make math feel understandable and doable. Because math instruction should support the whole child—academically and emotionally. When math confidence grows, children don’t just improve in math…they begin to believe in themselves everywhere. 🌾 Where Learning Grows — My Learning Farm🔗 https://www.mylearningfarm.com

Sometimes the best classroom doesn't have four walls—it has muddy boots, a wheelbarrow, and a horse waiting for breakfast. One of the reasons My Learning Farm exists is because of my own children. My son, Ryker at 9 years old, washing George and Harold for the fair-horse taught him problem-solving, hardworking, determination, empathy-so much! Like many children with learning differences, executive functioning didn't come naturally for them. Planning ahead, remembering multiple steps, staying organized, managing time, solving problems, and sticking with a task when it became difficult were skills they had to intentionally learn. Long before I ever started My Learning Farm, I discovered something remarkable. The farm became our classroom. What began as helping feed animals or clean stalls quietly became one of the greatest teachers of executive functioning I've ever seen. Ava took so much pride in her goats and it taught her so much about planning, organizing and focus. What Is Executive Function? Executive functioning is often called the brain's "air traffic control system." These are the mental skills that help us: Plan and organize Get started on tasks Follow multi-step directions Manage time Solve problems Stay focused Regulate emotions Adapt when things don't go as planned These skills are essential not only for school but for life. For many children—especially those with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, anxiety, or other learning differences—executive functioning needs to be explicitly developed through meaningful, real-world experiences. And that's exactly what farm life provides. Every Chore Is a Lesson in Planning When a child is asked to care for a horse, there isn't just one step. They might need to: ✓ Gather the feed. ✓ Fill the water bucket. ✓ Carry hay to the pasture. ✓ Open and latch gates safely. ✓ Brush the horse. ✓ Put tools away when finished. Each task requires sequencing, remembering steps, prioritizing, and completing a job from beginning to end. Those are executive functioning skills in action. Some of my best memories with my kids revolved around animals. Horses Don't Rush One of my favorite lessons horses teach is patience. You can't hurry a horse. If you're anxious, distracted, or frustrated, they notice. Children quickly learn to slow down, breathe, pay attention, and be fully present. Those moments build emotional regulation—another important executive functioning skill that helps children navigate school, friendships, and everyday life. Farm Life Encourages Problem Solving Real life doesn't always go according to plan. Maybe the water trough is empty. Perhaps the gate won't latch. The wheelbarrow tips over. The horse decides she'd rather eat grass than walk where you planned. Instead of someone handing children the answer, they learn to think: "What should I try next?" Problem solving grows when children have opportunities to experience small, safe challenges. Watching her hardworking pay off-never got old Animals Teach Empathy Animals depend on us. Children begin noticing body language, recognizing when an animal feels nervous, hungry, excited, or tired. They learn that kindness, consistency, and gentle care matter. These experiences naturally develop empathy, responsibility, and perspective-taking—qualities that strengthen relationships both on and off the farm. Fresh Air Helps Growing Brains Research continues to show that time outdoors supports children's physical and emotional well-being. Being outside can help reduce stress, encourage movement, improve attention, and provide opportunities for sensory regulation. Instead of sitting at another desk, children are walking, lifting, observing, listening, and engaging all of their senses. Learning becomes active. And for many children, active learning is where confidence begins to bloom. Working with their goats and taking such PRIDE and ACCOMPLISHMENT in them were tender moments for me. Confidence Grows One Chore at a Time One of the greatest gifts farm work offers isn't just responsibility. It's competence. Children begin saying: "I can do this." "The horse trusts me." "I remembered every step." "I solved that problem myself." Those moments are powerful. Confidence isn't built by someone constantly telling a child they're capable. It's built by giving them opportunities to discover that they are. The Heart Behind My Learning Farm When I created My Learning Farm, I wasn't just creating a place where children could meet animals. I was creating the kind of environment that helped my own children grow. A place where executive functioning, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, empathy, and problem solving could develop naturally through meaningful experiences. Yes, we laugh. Yes, we get dirty. Yes, we spend plenty of time with horses, donkeys, sheep, alpacas, goats, chickens, and all our farm friends. But underneath every activity is something much deeper. We're helping children build life skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom. Because sometimes the most important lessons don't happen behind a desk. Sometimes they begin with a halter, a handful of hay, and a child discovering just how capable they truly are.

One of the questions I hear from parents again and again is, “How do I know if my child really needs help—or if I just need to give it more time?” Every child develops differently, and learning is rarely a perfectly straight path. But there is also a point when waiting to see isn't necessarily the best next step. Sometimes a child is working incredibly hard just to keep up. Sometimes good grades hide how much support is happening behind the scenes. And sometimes parents simply have that nagging feeling that learning shouldn't be this hard for their child. At My Learning Farm, I believe every student deserves individualized support to thrive. This is READS! and we have fun writing, learning and exploring together! Struggling Doesn't Always Look Like Failing A child does not have to be failing before we start asking questions. I work with incredibly bright, curious, funny kids who can tell me everything about their favorite animal, explain exactly how something works, or carry on the most amazing conversation—and yet reading, spelling, writing, or math can be incredibly difficult. The first signs may be homework taking much longer than expected, avoiding reading, guessing at words, forgetting spelling words that were practiced repeatedly, struggling to get wonderful ideas onto paper, difficulty remembering math facts, or needing significantly more help than expected. Sometimes it shows up emotionally through frustration, tears, avoidance, or comments like, “I'm stupid,” “I'm bad at school,” or “I can't do this.” When an academic struggle begins changing how a child sees themselves, I pay attention. Look at the Effort, Not Just the Grade Report cards only tell part of the story. Two children may both earn a B in reading, but one completes the work independently while the other spends hours practicing, receives significant help at home, avoids unfamiliar words, and is exhausted by the effort it takes to keep up. Ask yourself: How much effort and support does it take for my child to produce the result I'm seeing? That answer can tell us much more than a letter grade. I also encourage parents to look for patterns over time. Gather report cards, reading assessments, writing samples, spelling tests, math work, standardized testing, teacher comments, and intervention information. You don't have to become an expert in educational testing—you are simply looking for the story the information tells when you put it all together. Listen to What Your Child Is Telling You “I hate reading.” “This is boring.” “I forgot.” “I can't do it.” Sometimes those statements really are about motivation or a hard day, but sometimes avoidance is communication. Instead of stopping at “My child doesn't like reading,” get curious about why. Is reading slow and exhausting? Are they guessing at words? Do they understand beautifully when someone reads aloud to them but struggle when they have to read independently? The why matters. So, When Is It Time to Ask for Help? I encourage families to start asking more questions when difficulties with reading, writing, spelling, math, attention, memory, organization, or another area of learning become a consistent pattern, particularly when the child continues to struggle despite appropriate instruction and support. Start by talking with your child's teacher. Ask what they are seeing, what skills your child has mastered, where they are struggling, what interventions have been tried, and how progress is being measured. Ask to see the actual data—not because one test score defines your child, but because multiple pieces of information over time can help paint a much clearer picture. If concerns continue, it may be appropriate to seek an academic assessment or request an evaluation through your child's public school. Asking for an evaluation does not mean you have decided your child has a disability. It means you're asking for more information so you can make informed decisions about what your child needs. Don't Wait for Your Child to Fail This may be the most important thing I want parents to know: a child should not have to completely fall apart academically before we become curious about why learning is difficult. Support can take many forms. It may mean changing how something is being taught, providing explicit and systematic reading instruction, adding math support, using accommodations, changing curriculum, seeking an assessment, or simply gathering more information before deciding what comes next. The goal isn't to put a label on a child. The goal is to understand the child in front of us. A Little Perspective From the Farm One thing farming has taught me is that growth doesn't always happen on the same schedule. Some things sprout almost overnight. Others need more time, different conditions, a little extra tending—or an entirely different approach. Our kids aren't so different. When a child struggles, rather than simply pushing harder and harder on the same thing, we can get curious and ask a much better question: What does this child need in order to flourish? If you're concerned about your child's learning, you don't have to figure out the entire path today. Gather what you know, ask questions, look for patterns, and choose the next right step. Most importantly, keep reminding your child that struggling with a skill does not define who they are—or what they are capable of becoming.

Five Paths to their own Future: Cameron, Ava, John, Mateo, Chloe I’m tired of hearing people say, “Kids these days are lazy.” Because that is not what I see. I see young people who are questioning the old playbook. I see kids looking at the traditional path laid out in front of them and asking, Is this actually the best way for me to get where I want to go? And sometimes the answer is no. So they’re bucking tradition. They’re removing pressures that don’t serve them. They’re choosing community college, homeschooling, online universities, individualized schools, trade programs, early graduation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, travel, work experience, and completely different combinations of all of the above. They aren’t refusing to work. They’re saddling up and chasing their dreams in their own way. And I think we should pay attention. For generations, we have presented education almost like a single trail: graduate from high school, go directly to a four-year university, earn a degree, find a job, and begin your adult life. That can still be a wonderful path. But it isn't the only path. Some of the young people I know are proving that there are a whole lot of trails leading toward a meaningful, successful life—and sometimes the smartest thing a student can do is have the courage to leave the well-worn trail and blaze one of their own. Cameron with his trusty steed Boon 🤠 Cameron: Graduating Early and Building the Dream Now Cameron isn't waiting for adulthood to begin building the life he wants. He chose homeschooling and is working toward graduating from high school a year early while simultaneously building experience in cattle, beef, auctioneering, construction, business, and high school rodeo. Why graduate early? Cameron's answer is pretty simple: he's excited about where his life is going. He wants to own businesses and pursue his dreams in agriculture and construction. And instead of waiting for some imaginary point when he is finally "old enough" to begin, he's already getting to work. Through agriculture, business, and auctioneering, Cameron says he has learned that there are many layers to running a business—but two things rise above everything else: Your work ethic and your word. He's also learning something that I wish every young person understood: failure isn't the end of the road. Sometimes you fail, regroup, try again, and keep trying until you figure it out. Auctioneering has taught him another enormously valuable skill—how to talk to people, build relationships, and create a network. As Cameron puts it, sometimes success is simply being able to say, “I can't do that—but I know a guy who can.” And Cameron isn't dreaming small. Ten years from now, he pictures multiple ranches across Texas, Montana, and California, along with businesses in agriculture, construction, and real estate. His Bar W Cattle Co. is already giving him real-world experience working with customers and learning what it takes to build something of his own. One thing Cameron said really stuck with me: “My hero is me in 10 years.” He knows he'll never quite catch that guy—because he'll keep setting the next goal. Now THAT doesn't sound lazy to me. And Cameron, I haven't forgotten: when those ranches happen, I was promised a tiny house in a tiny corner. 🐄🤠 Ava is blazing her own cost-effective trail (spoiler alert-she's also my daughter-isn't she beautiful) ❤️ Ava: Sometimes the Smartest Trail Isn't the Most Expensive One Ava's educational path has had a few turns. Traditional school. Homeschool. Back to traditional high school. Community college. Studying abroad in Florence. Nursing prerequisites. And eventually, nursing. When I asked why she chose Sierra College rather than heading directly to a four-year university, her response was very Ava: “Because it was cheaper. That's literally the only reason that I chose it.” And you know what? That's actually a pretty darn good reason. Choosing a less expensive route toward the same larger goal isn't a lack of ambition. It can be an incredibly practical decision. Community college has also given Ava opportunities she might never have expected. Studying abroad became one of the most meaningful experiences of her life. She learned about other places, experienced independence, went to school in another country, and discovered more about who she wanted to be. And then came nursing prerequisites. Let's just say chemistry has not made Ava's list of favorite life experiences. 😂. But difficult classes have taught her something important too: she can do hard things. Her road isn't necessarily easy just because it started at community college. She's working through demanding prerequisites toward a demanding career—and learning along the way what she is capable of. Her advice to another student whose path looks different? “Just own it.” Own the difference. Own the detour. Own the fact that something might take you longer—or that you may choose to do it completely differently. Because sometimes, Ava says, you'll take a risk and even surprise yourself with just how extraordinary you can be. I couldn't say that one better myself. Here's John volunteering his time to come to my farm classes to share his passion with kids-thanks John!!!! 🐄 John: College, Cattle and Building a Business at the Same Time At 19 years old, John Davis isn't choosing between college or work. He's doing both. John started Porter Ag when he was just 15, initially selling hay and grain to neighbors in his local community. One opportunity led to another, the contracts became larger, and eventually he began handling bulk orders and semi-loads of hay and grain for customers including livestock centers, equestrian facilities, feed stores, feed yards, and other agricultural operations. Today, John is attending Colorado State University online while continuing to work full-time and grow his businesses. Why online college? Because it fits the life he is actually building. Colorado State's asynchronous program allows John to work through his education while continuing to gain real-world experience. He's studying business because he wants to become better at the work he is already doing—management, business practices, agricultural sales, livestock markets, supply and demand, and the decisions involved in buying and selling cattle. His next chapter may also include owning and operating his own brick and morter business soon, which would mean another leap forward: managing employees and taking on the responsibilities that come with running an established business. John hasn't put his life on hold to get an education. He has built an education around his life and his goals. That's a very different way of thinking about college—and I think it's one we're going to see a lot more of. I'm so dang proud of this young man for taking life by the reining and riding it! 🐎 Mateo: Learning by Doing—and Becoming the Swiss Army Knife Mateo's trail shows us something else entirely: sometimes the job becomes the classroom. Mateo was already working for LIG Rentals when he realized he didn't want to spend another full year in high school just to complete the credits he still needed. Through Confluence, he was able to turn the job he already had into an internship while completing the classes he needed to graduate. That opportunity also helped Mateo realize something important about his future. College was available to him—but he didn't have a goal or dream that required a college degree. Rather than going simply because it was the expected next step, Mateo chose to keep building the career that was already unfolding in front of him. And he certainly hasn't stopped learning. Mateo started at LIG Rentals weed-eating and doing odds and ends as one of the owner's first employees. Since then? He's done a little bit of everything. He earned his Class A license so he can drive commercial vehicles, including semis. He's helped run multimillion-dollar turnkey camps. He's developed management, business, mechanical, logistics, communication, and problem-solving skills. Mateo describes himself as the company's “Swiss Army knife.” I LOVE that. Because almost every day presents a new problem that requires him to learn something new to solve it. This year, he has been spearheading emergency sites, which has pushed him even further into logistics and leadership—deciding which employees should handle which equipment and jobs, recognizing individual skill levels, and even learning when someone is ready to be pushed slightly outside their comfort zone so they can grow while still getting the job done correctly. He's learning about return on investment when purchasing equipment. When does it make sense to buy? When is it smarter to outsource? What will benefit the company over the long term rather than simply solve today's problem? He's also learning how to communicate with employees, vendors, customers, and business partners and how important it is to make sure everyone who needs information has it. That's an education. It just doesn't happen behind a desk. Mateo also isn't anti-college. He believes education is important and strongly encourages young people to earn their high school diploma. But he also recognizes that college should have a purpose. And if college isn't part of your plan right now? Mateo has some pretty solid advice. Keep your options open. Keep your driving record clean. Stay out of trouble. If you have an idea of the field you want to enter, get into it somehow and start learning. Learn from everyone. Take in as much knowledge as you can. Watch what works. Watch what doesn't. Don't be afraid to start at the bottom. And don't let other people convince you to abandon a path you believe in. Mateo said something that beautifully captures the entire point of this article: “There are so many different options in the world to become whichever version of success you want. You have to find out what your specific version of success is and go after it.” Exactly. Success doesn't have one definition. And neither should education. K. Just one more CONGRATULATIONS-Mateo just bought his first home-k he's 21-well done you!!!!!! I miss her tremendously BUT I KNOW she is doing exactly what works BEST for her-learning in her OWN Way! 🌾 Chloe: Making School Fit the Learner—not the Other Way Around Chloe's path is different from all four of the young people above. And once again, that's exactly the point. Chloe has experienced traditional school and homeschool, but she discovered that she learns best in a one-on-one educational environment at Fusion. Why? Because her teachers have the opportunity to really know her. They learn her strengths, understand how she learns, connect lessons to her interests, and even help her choose a schedule that works with the time of day when she learns best. Chloe still loves the social side of traditional school. But when it comes to learning, she prefers the individualized teaching she receives now. And here's the part I think is particularly important. Because Chloe can complete her school day in about half the time, school no longer has to consume all of her energy. Traditional school used to wear her out. Now that time and energy can go somewhere else. Chloe already has two businesses. Her schedule gives her time to practice, develop ideas, work on those businesses, make things, and simply be creative. And instead of keeping those interests separate from school, her teachers often bring them directly into her education. She can pursue electives such as graphic arts, fiber arts, interior design, business ownership, and entrepreneurship. Teachers can also develop projects and assignments around the things that genuinely interest her. That's not making education smaller. That's making it more relevant. Chloe loves creating things, and she already has a pretty clear picture of where she might be headed. She plans to attend college and cosmetology school. Eventually, she would love to own her own shop, do hair and nails, create products, and continue building businesses of her own. Her education doesn't have to choose between academics and creativity. Or between college and a trade. Or between school and entrepreneurship. She can build a trail that includes all of them. And perhaps Chloe's story gives us one more question worth asking about education: Instead of constantly asking, How do we make this student fit school? What might happen if we occasionally asked: How can we make school fit this student? Maybe This Generation Isn't Lost. Maybe They're Leading. When I look at young people like Cameron, Ava, John, Mateo and Chloe—I don't see a generation that lacks ambition. I see something else entirely. I see trailblazers. I see young adults asking better questions. What do I actually want my life to look like? What education do I need to get there? Is there a smarter or more affordable way to do it? Can I work while I learn? Can I build the business now? Can I graduate early? Can I take longer? Can I homeschool? Can I go to community college first? Can I learn online? Can school be built around the way I actually learn? Can I choose agriculture, nursing, construction, entrepreneurship, cosmetology, a trade, a university—or some wild combination of all of them? YES. Education should be a tool that helps young people build their futures. The future shouldn't have to be squeezed into one predetermined version of education. And maybe that's where adults need to change our thinking. Instead of asking young people, “Why aren't you following the traditional path?” Maybe we should ask: “Where are you trying to go—and what trail will get you there?” Because these kids aren't sitting around waiting for someone to hand them a future. They're climbing into the saddle. They're taking some risks. They're learning from a few hard falls. They're dusting themselves off. They're bucking traditions that don't fit. And they're blazing trails toward lives that actually belong to them. Ride on, kids. 🤠. I cannot wait to see where these trails lead.

One of my favorite things about this time of year is having young people stop by My Learning Farm with their buyer letters in hand, ready to tell me about their animals, their projects, and everything they have learned along the way. I love listening to them talk agriculture. I am grateful to sponsor kids in agriculture. I love hearing about the early mornings, the feeding, the cleaning, the training, the setbacks, and the goals. I love watching a young person stand a little taller as they explain their project and ask someone in their community to support them. Because there is so much more happening than raising an animal. These kids are learning responsibility, communication, perseverance, financial literacy, animal husbandry, agriculture, and how to finish something they started. They are learning to shake a hand, look someone in the eye, answer questions, advocate for themselves, and be proud of their hard work. Those are lessons worth investing in. 🐄 Why My Learning Farm Supports Youth in Agriculture At My Learning Farm, education has never been limited to what happens at a desk. Learning happens in barns. It happens in show rings. It happens while caring for an animal before the sun comes up and trying again when something doesn't go according to plan. That is why I am proud to support youth agriculture in our community, including the Gold Country Fair and High School Rodeo. I LOVE hearing all about their project animals and the obstacles they overcame. These programs give young people opportunities to discover what they're capable of while keeping them connected to agriculture and to the community around them. Whether they eventually pursue a career in agriculture or choose an entirely different path, the confidence, work ethic, responsibility, and grit they build go with them. I'm thrilled when students come back! ❤️ Put Your Money Where Your Community Is The Gold Country Fair Junior Livestock Auction is Saturday, September 12, in Auburn, and I'll be there ready to invest in some hardworking young people. Buying an animal isn't simply a transaction. It's looking at a kid who has spent months working toward this moment and saying: I see your hard work. I value what you're doing. Keep going. Gosh, these two young women I've had the privilege of knowing since they were like 8-look at them now-their own breeding program, high school, FFA, clubs, sports-the sky's the limit! That's the kind of investment I can get behind. Our young people are the future farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, tradespeople, teachers, business owners, community leaders, and neighbors who will someday be taking care of the places we call home. If we want strong communities tomorrow, we need to show up for our kids today. I'll be there. I hope you'll consider joining me and investing in the youth of our community, too. 🌾❤️

This week in My Learning Farm READS!, Charlotte’s Web jumped right off the page and onto the farm! 🌾❤️ We read Chapters 2–3, practiced writing about what we learned, took a deep dive into Roman numerals, learned some fascinating pig facts, and explored our vocabulary word manure—including all the useful things we do with it here on the farm. 💩😂 But the BIG highlight? Our students got to meet our very own Wilbur stand-in… MILLIE! 🐷 A HUGE thank you to the Berry Family for letting us borrow sweet Millie for the day. She helped our students make a real-world connection to the story—and that is exactly what READS! is all about. 📚 Great books. 🌱 Hands-on learning. 🐷 Real farm experiences. ✏️ Reading, vocabulary & writing. ❤️ And plenty of curiosity along the way. Same great stories. A whole bigger world. Want your child to join us for Spring READS! featuring My Side of the Mountain? We’ll be heading into a whole new adventure filled with literature, nature, outdoor survival, writing, vocabulary, and hands-on experiences! 🌿https://www.mylearningfarm.com/mylearningfarmreads 📚 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-If3v-Zu5WoecK2iiGYoWrXhCjeHW0g-fLfMThP-chKCjmA/viewform Come read, explore, and grow with us! 🌾📖❤️

At My Learning Farm, I believe some of the most important things we can give young people are opportunities—to learn, to work hard, to discover what they love, to belong to a community, and to become confident in who they are. That is why My Learning Farm is proud to invest in youth agriculture through organizations and community events like California High School Rodeo Association District 3, the Gold Country Fair, and local youth agricultural activities. I LOVE that so many businesses, families and community members invest in youth in agriculture! Agriculture Teaches So Much More Than Agriculture 🐴🌾 Working with animals, raising livestock, competing in rodeo, preparing a fair project, growing something, or caring for something that depends on you teaches lessons that simply cannot always be learned from a textbook. Agriculture teaches responsibility. It teaches patience, perseverance, problem-solving, compassion, and grit. Animals don't care what grade you received on a test or whether school comes easily to you. They require you to show up, pay attention, learn from mistakes, and try again. And those lessons matter. I see the same thing every day at My Learning Farm. A child who may struggle in a traditional academic environment can absolutely shine when given an opportunity to learn with their hands, work with an animal, solve a real-world problem, or discover something they are genuinely passionate about. Supporting Kids as They Discover Their Gifts 🌻 My Learning Farm was built around the belief that children are so much more than their academic struggles. Every young person has strengths, talents, interests, and gifts waiting to be discovered. For some kids, that place is the classroom. For another, it might be the barn, an arena, a show ring, a garden, a workshop, or a livestock pen. That is one of the reasons supporting youth agriculture is so important to me. When we invest in programs like High School Rodeo District 3, the Gold Country Fair, 4-H, FFA, and other youth agricultural opportunities, we aren't simply supporting an event. We are creating places for young people to develop skills, confidence, friendships, leadership, responsibility, and a sense of purpose. Investing in Our Community's Future I love watching young people work toward something that matters to them. I love seeing them put in hours of practice that nobody else sees and then step into the arena or show ring. I love watching them care for their animals, help younger kids, encourage a competitor, learn from disappointment, celebrate a win, and come back ready to try again. Those experiences are helping shape the adults they will become. My Learning Farm's investment in youth agriculture is an extension of everything we believe about education: learning happens everywhere. It happens at a desk, but it also happens in barns, arenas, gardens, fairgrounds, pastures, and pens. When we invest in young people, we invest in the future of our community. So My Learning Farm will continue cheering from the sidelines, sponsoring youth opportunities, supporting our local fairs and agricultural programs, and celebrating kids who are willing to get their boots dirty and work toward something they love. Because sometimes the very best way to help a child grow is simply to give them good soil, strong roots, a little sunshine, and the opportunity to discover just how far they can go. 🌱❤️

If your family is choosing the Private School Affidavit (PSA) route for homeschooling in California, October is an important month to have on your radar. The annual PSA filing period begins October 1, making September a great time to make sure you feel confident about your homeschool plan—not just the paperwork, but the learning happening around your kitchen table. And that is where My Learning Farm can help. ❤️ Before You File, Take a Look at the Bigger Picture Choosing to homeschool gives families an incredible opportunity to build an education around the child rather than trying to fit the child into a particular program. But it can also bring a lot of questions: Is our curriculum the right fit?Where should my child actually begin in reading or math?Are we making enough progress?What should I do if spelling or writing is a struggle?How do I teach a child with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, or another learning difference?What should our homeschool day actually look like? You don't have to figure all of that out alone. 🌻 Start With a Homeschool Consultation A My Learning Farm Homeschool Consultation can help you take a thoughtful look at your child's needs, select appropriate curricula, identify priorities, and create a realistic plan for your homeschool year. This is especially helpful if you are leaving a charter school, beginning independent homeschooling for the first time, or realizing that the curriculum you started with isn't quite working. Schedule a Homeschool Consultation 📚 Not Sure Where Your Child's Skills Are? This is also a wonderful time to consider an academic assessment in reading, writing, spelling, or math. Knowing where your child is right now can help you make better decisions about curriculum, instruction, intervention, and goals for the year. Instead of guessing based on grade level, we can look at your child's actual skills and build from there. At My Learning Farm, I believe homeschool instruction should meet children where they are, build strong foundations, and help them move forward with confidence. 🌱 If you're considering the PSA route and aren't sure where to begin, start with a conversation. Book a No-Cost 15-Minute Discovery Call Learn more about homeschool support, academic instruction, assessments, and other services at My Learning Farm. Plant strong foundations now so there is plenty of room to grow. 🌱❤️

Parents often ask me, “What can I do at home to help?” Maybe reading practice is becoming frustrating. Spelling rules aren't sticking. Math needs to be seen and touched before it makes sense. Or maybe you're homeschooling and simply looking for fresh, meaningful ways to reinforce the skills you're already teaching. That’s exactly why I created the Printable & Teaching Resources at My Learning Farm! These resources are designed to give parents, homeschool families, and educators practical tools they can actually USE with children. You'll find materials to support reading, spelling, vocabulary, writing and more, with an emphasis on making learning clear, engaging, hands-on, and multisensory. 🌻 Many of these resources grow directly out of the work I do with students at My Learning Farm. When I find a way to explain a concept that helps a child finally say, “Oh! I get it!”, that is the kind of learning I want to help families bring home. Because extra practice doesn't have to mean another boring worksheet. It can mean building words, spotting patterns, practicing a skill through a game, using visuals to make an abstract math concept concrete, or giving a child another way to understand something that just hasn't clicked yet. And you don't have to spend hours doing it! Sometimes 10–15 minutes of purposeful, targeted practice can be much more valuable than piling on more work. 🌱 Where Can You Find the Resources? It's easy! Visit My Learning Farm and look at the toolbar across the top of the website. Click “Printable & Teaching Resources” to start exploring. Visit My Learning Farm Whether you're a homeschool parent, supporting a child after school, or simply looking for another way to help your learner build skills and confidence, take a peek! You might just find the resource that helps something finally click. ❤️ Grow skills. Grow confidence. Grow a love of learning. 🌱📚🐓

At My Learning Farm, we believe it is important to celebrate and support the hardworking young people who are helping agriculture continue to grow. One of those remarkable young people is Julia Marino. Julia has been involved in 4-H since she was five years old. Now a sophomore at Lincoln High School, she is an active member of the school’s FFA program. Over the years, Julia has raised and worked with goats, steers, alpacas, chickens, and many other animals. If it involves livestock, chances are Julia has done it! I have known Julia since she was seven years old, and I cannot think of a more deserving young woman to support. She has been showing goats and steers for seven years, developing valuable skills, confidence, and a deep understanding of the responsibility that comes with raising animals. This year, Julia is bringing a replacement Boer goat to the Gold Country Fair. A replacement goat is raised with the potential to become part of a future breeding herd, although it may also be raised as a market animal. Looking to add a new friend to your farm? Through this project, Julia is gaining hands-on knowledge about animal care, breeding, livestock management, and the agricultural industry. “My favorite part of agriculture is working with livestock and learning the responsibility that comes with caring for animals,” Julia shared. “Agriculture plays a very important role in my life, and I want to continue being involved in the agriculture industry in the future.” Julia plans to attend Cal Poly and study agricultural business. “I hope to build my experiences in agriculture and eventually pursue a career in the industry.” Young people like Julia are the future of agriculture. Their livestock projects teach responsibility, perseverance, financial management, problem-solving, and compassion. Behind every animal brought into the show ring are months of early mornings, long evenings, daily feedings, training, cleaning, and care. This is why My Learning Farm proudly invests in youth agriculture. When we sponsor or purchase from a young person at the fair, we are supporting far more than one livestock project. We are encouraging a young person’s education, confidence, goals, and future. If you are considering purchasing an animal or sponsoring a hardworking youth, please join us at the Gold Country Fair Junior Livestock Auction on Saturday, September 12, at 9:00 a.m. in Auburn. Come support Julia and the many dedicated young people who are planting seeds for the future of agriculture—one animal, one project, and one dream at a time.