What hints of springtime more than a baby farmyard animal? A whole herd of baby farmyard animals, of course! Last weekend I was able to frolic within whispering distance of black and brown and white baby goats at the Prairie Fruits Farm's spring open house/"kid" baby shower.

Five members of Ms. Linder's Social Advocacy class visited the farm as part of our culminating food justice project. We are trying to learn as much as we can about food insecurity, and how we can educate people to make cost-effective, healthy, and socially just food decisions.

Upon arrival, we were drawn into a large barn/mingling area. We were immediately engulfed by throngs of visitors clamoring for free organic treats that were being given out. While we were tempted by the distraction, we forged past and entered the adjacent barn. Baby goats! Adorability ensued. While some of them were curious and investigated the spectators, most were content to lounge in cuddle puddles (new-to-me phrase courtesy of Claire Billingsley).

After reaching our limit of oohing and aahing over the boisterous babies, we paid our respects to the proud parents, who were kept in a neighboring barn. We made our way back to the reception area to reconvene with a sampling of hot drinks, one of which was hot chocolate made from the farm's own goats' milk. Who knew that grueling research could be so soft and cuddly!

Baby goats abound at Prairie Fruits Farm

Gargoyle photos by Hadley Hauser (click to enlarge)