Ridgecrest Farm Animal Visit with a graphic of a tractor and the angora sheep who visited Ridgecrest.

Tiny Hiney's Travelin' Farm comes to Ridgecrest!

Kelly Gatzke

September 30, 2025

We had a visit on Friday, September 26th from Tiny Hiney's Travelin' Farm from Athens, AL and it was exceptional! Our Rockets learned all about farm animals, their job or purpose on the farm, their history, and about raising them. They were able to meet an alpaca, llamas, goats, tortoises, a bearded dragon, donkey, chickens, and a zebu, which is a type of cow from India. Many of our students had never interacted with these type of animals before and it was so exciting to see their expressions and happiness!!

Our older students in grades 2 through 5 were given a presentation from Susan and Kevin, the owners of Tiny Hiney's. Grades K through 2 had the petting zoo experience where they were able to gently touch all of the animals.

Thanks to a grant received by our GATE teacher Ms. Aguilar, it was possible to bring this incredible program to Ridgecrest!

Rascal the Alpaca arriving at RidgecrestFourth graders learning about alpacas and llamas from Susan, the farm owner.One of the llamas was blind and had a service llama to help him get around! Also pictured is Rascal the alpacaStudents petting one of the goatsMs. Aguilar holding Rascal while students petted him Ms. Aguilar showing how to milk a goat!Susan showing students frizzle chickensLlamas observing the 2nd grade studentsSusan showing students that Rascal does not have upper front teeth, a trait common in animals with multiple stomachsSusan and Kevin showing students two types of goatsSusan with Bullseye, the Zebu cow, who they rescued from a slaughterhouseStudents raising hands because they had so many questions about the animals.Our principal Ms. O'Bradovich feeding the llamaStudents petting the blind llama during the petting zoo portion.Kindergarteners observing one of the goats.Students asking questions about the tortoises and bearded dragon.2nd grade students petting the angora sheep.