Animal Care Programs at Garrett Williamson
Learn, Care, and Grow on the Farm
Garrett Williamson’s animal care programs give children and families the opportunity to build confidence, develop responsibility, and connect with agriculture through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
Whether your child is curious about farm animals, ready to join a year-round club, or interested in developing more advanced livestock-care skills, we offer a program designed to meet them where they are.
Our animal care pathway includes three levels of participation:
- Intro to Animal Care
- Farm Explorers Club – LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE
- Animal Care Co-Op – LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE
Participants can begin with a single introductory session, continue into a beginner-friendly club, and eventually move into a more advanced co-op experience.
Open to youth ages 5 and up, Intro to Animal Care is a hands-on educational program where participants learn how to care for the animals on our farm.
This flexible program is a great option for children who are curious about farm life, enjoy animals, or want to see whether a year-round animal club is the right fit for them.
Each session includes real, age-appropriate animal care responsibilities. Participants may:
- Feed the animals
- Provide fresh water
- Muck pastures and animal spaces
- Learn about safe animal handling
- Complete essential farm chores
- Work as part of a team
- Ask questions and learn from Garrett Williamson staff
Through these experiences, participants develop responsibility, teamwork, confidence, and a deeper connection to nature and agriculture.
Flexible Eight-Week Series
Intro to Animal Care is offered during the Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Each seasonal series runs for eight weeks on Wednesdays from 5pm to 6pm. During the summer we have two 4-week mini-series. Families can choose the registration option that works best for them. Participants may:
- Register for a single session
- Attend several sessions
- Participate in the entire eight-week series and save $40 dollars for a total of $120.
Ages: 5 and up
Cost: $20 per individual session
Full series: Discounted eight-week registration available
Schedule: Wednesdays during Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall sessions
There is no requirement to attend all eight weeks. Participants can attend any available session or complete the full series for a more consistent experience.
What to Wear
Closed-toe shoes are required for all participants.
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing that can get dirty and dressing in layers. Garrett Williamson’s property is often cooler and windier than the surrounding area.
Build confidence with smaller and beginner-friendly animals
Farm Explorers Club is a year-round co-op program designed for younger children and participants who are new to animal care.
The program provides a welcoming entry point into Garrett Williamson’s agricultural education offerings while helping participants build the knowledge, confidence, and responsibility needed to care for animals consistently.
Farm Explorers is ideal for children who are interested in farm animals but may not yet be ready for the level of commitment or experience required in our more advanced animal clubs.
Members participate in rotating chore assignments and learn the fundamentals of:
- Daily animal care
- Feeding and watering
- Cleaning animal areas
- Basic health monitoring
- Safe animal handling
- Grooming
- Shearing and fiber production
- Hoof care
- Medication administration with staff supervision
- Farm safety
- Teamwork and responsibility
Animals in the Program
Farm Explorers Club will begin with Garrett Williamson’s existing alpaca herd and rabbits.
As the program grows, additional beginner-friendly animal species may be introduced.
A Beginner-Friendly Approach
Farm Explorers focuses on foundational animal husbandry, everyday farm responsibilities, and positive interactions with animals.
Unlike Garrett Williamson’s traditional animal clubs, Farm Explorers does not involve breeding animals or raising animals for meat production.
Best for: Younger participants and beginners
Program year: September through August
Primary animals: Alpacas and rabbits, with additional species planned
Commitment: Year-round participation and rotating chore responsibilities
Develop advanced animal-care and livestock-management skills
The Animal Care Co-Op is designed for participants who are ready to take on a greater level of responsibility and develop more advanced animal husbandry skills.
Members participate in the ongoing care and management of Garrett Williamson’s livestock while learning how a working farm operates throughout the year.
Depending on the specific animal group and season, participants may gain experience with:
- Feeding and watering livestock
- Cleaning pastures, stalls, and animal areas
- Monitoring animal health
- Grooming and hoof care
- Administering medications with supervision
- Breeding and birth education
- Livestock management
- Seasonal farm preparation
- Animal production and agricultural practices
- Recordkeeping
- Collaborative chore responsibilities
Members are expected to participate consistently and complete assigned responsibilities as part of the co-op community.
This program is ideal for participants who have previous animal-care experience or are ready to move beyond introductory chores into a deeper agricultural learning experience.
Best for: Participants ready for increased responsibility
Program year: September through August
Commitment: Year-round participation and rotating chore assignments
Program Information
Registration
Registration is required for all animal care programs.
Space may be limited to ensure that participants receive safe, meaningful, and hands-on experiences.
Intro to Animal Care registration: https://garrettwilliamson.jotform.com/261306403570953
Animal Care Co-Op & Farm Explorers registration: https://garrettwilliamson.jotform.com/262103110033938
Location
Garrett Williamson
395 Bishop Hollow Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Contact
Questions about program placement, registration, or animal care requirements may be directed to:
Email: AgEd@garrettwilliamson.org
Frequently Asked questions
The Garrett Williamson Animal Co-Op is a hands-on educational program where members learn about agriculture and animal care by helping care for livestock on our farm. Through weekly responsibilities, monthly work sessions, and optional educational meetings led by veterinarians and other agricultural professionals, participants develop confidence, responsibility, and practical farming skills while becoming part of our farm community.
Our Animal Co-Op offers opportunities for children of different ages:
- Farm Explorers Club: Ages 5 and up
- Breeding Sheep & Goat Clubs: Ages 8 and up
- Pig Club: Ages 10 and up
No previous farm or animal experience is required. Whether your child is new to farming or already has experience, we’ll provide the training and support needed to be successful.
Members can participate in clubs featuring:
- Sheep
- Goats
- Rabbits
- Alpacas
- Pigs
Club availability may vary based on enrollment and the number of animals in our care.
Membership is $360 per year for each club.
Families may choose to:
- Pay the full annual membership fee at registration, or
- Make monthly payments throughout the program year.
Members who wish to show animals at fairs or exhibitions are welcome to do so; however, showing is optional and requires an additional fee. Information about show opportunities and fees will be shared with interested members throughout the year.
Your membership fee helps support the care and well-being of our animals, including:
- Feed and hay
- Bedding
- Veterinary care
- Routine animal health supplies
- Barn and pasture maintenance
- Utilities
- Educational programming
- Equipment used for animal care
Membership fees help offset the cost of caring for the animals and supporting the educational experience for all participants. Optional activities, such as showing animals, may have additional fees.
Yes! Garrett Williamson believes every child should have the opportunity to participate. Financial assistance may be available for qualifying families. Please contact us for more information before registering.
Not at all! Our program is designed for beginners as well as those with previous experience. Every member receives training before participating independently in animal care.
All new members complete a training period before participating independently? in animal care. Training includes:
- Safe animal handling
- Feeding routines
- Cleaning and barn chores
- Farm safety
- Club expectations
- Emergency procedures
Our Barn Manager and experienced volunteers work with each member until they are comfortable with their responsibilities.
Animal care is a year-round commitment. Members are expected to:
- Complete their assigned weekly chore shift
- Attend one work session each month
- Follow farm safety rules and club expectations
- Communicate if they are unable to fulfill a scheduled responsibility
The animals depend on consistent daily care, so reliable participation is an important part of being a Co-Op member.
If you’re unable to complete your chore, you should first arrange for another approved Co-Op member to cover your shift. If you cannot find coverage, contact the Barn Manager as soon as possible so other arrangements can be made.
Good communication helps ensure our animals receive the care they need every day.
In addition to hands-on animal care, members have the opportunity to attend optional monthly educational meetings led by veterinarians, farmers, and other agricultural professionals.
Topics may include:
- Animal health and wellness
- Nutrition and feeding
- Livestock management
- Farm safety
- Veterinary care
- Agriculture and conservation
- Careers in agriculture
These sessions allow members to learn directly from industry professionals, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of responsible animal husbandry and modern agriculture.
Registration opens each August for the upcoming program year, which runs September through August.
Registration remains open after the program begins as long as space is still available in the individual clubs.
Yes! Members may join more than one club if space is available and they are able to meet the responsibilities and time commitment of each club.
Absolutely! Parents and guardians are encouraged to participate alongside their child, especially during the training period. As participants gain confidence and experience, they will take a more active role in completing their responsibilities independently. For the safety of both participants and our animals, a parent or guardian must remain on the property and actively supervise their child throughout the entire session or chore assignment.
Members should wear closed-toe shoes or boots and clothing that can get dirty. Since many activities take place outdoors, we also recommend dressing appropriately for the weather and bringing layers when needed.
No. All animals are owned and cared for by Garrett Williamson. Members help provide daily care as part of the educational experience and learn the responsibilities of animal husbandry without owning the animals themselves.
As a farm, our animals play an important role in teaching responsible agriculture. Depending on the species, products such as wool and fiber may be used in educational programming, and some livestock may ultimately enter the food system. Members learn that agriculture involves providing excellent care for animals while understanding the important role they play in producing food, fiber, and other agricultural products.
Yes! Members have the opportunity to show eligible animals at fairs and exhibitions. Participation is completely optional and requires an additional fee. Showing animals is a great way for members to demonstrate the skills they’ve learned, build confidence, and represent Garrett Williamson within the agricultural community.
The Animal Co-Op gives children the opportunity to learn by doing. Members build valuable life skills while working alongside experienced staff, volunteers, and agricultural professionals in a fun, supportive environment.
Participants develop:
- Responsibility
- Confidence
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving skills
- Animal care knowledge
- A deeper appreciation for agriculture and farming
In addition to caring for animals, members have the opportunity to attend optional monthly educational meetings led by veterinarians and other agricultural professionals. These sessions provide additional learning about animal health, nutrition, farm management, and careers in agriculture, giving members an even deeper understanding of the agricultural world.
Whether members are feeding animals, learning from a veterinarian, helping maintain the farm, or choosing to show an animal, the Co-Op provides meaningful experiences that foster responsibility, compassion, and a lifelong appreciation for agriculture. Many members form lasting friendships, gain valuable real-world experience, and create memories that stay with them long after their time in the program.