Idlehurst

06/11/2026

If you know Ryan, you know this farm wouldn’t be what it is without him. The cows, the horses, the endless projects, the things that break at the worst possible time and somehow get fixed anyway

And through it all, there’s been Odin.

Anyone who has ever had a heart dog knows exactly what I’m talking about. Odin has always kept one eye on the farm and one eye on Ryan. Waiting for him. Following him. Looking for him. Loving him with a loyalty that only a good dog can give.

For Ryan’s birthday, one of our talented students painted this portrait of Odin, and I couldn’t believe how perfectly she captured him. Not running. Not playing. Not posing.

Just waiting.

Tucked up by the door, watching for Ryan to come home.

It’s such an ordinary moment that most people would never think twice about. But those ordinary moments end up being the ones we miss the most someday.

Now that little piece of everyday life hangs in our home, and every time I look at it, I see years of friendship, loyalty, muddy paws, truck rides, and a dog who never wanted much more than to be wherever Ryan was.

Happy Birthday, Ryan. Thank you for everything you do for all of us.

And here’s to a few more years of Odin waiting on his favorite person to walk through the door. 🩵

06/03/2026

We are excited to officially launch the Idlehurst IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) Team and welcome Coach Susan White as our head team instructor!

Susan with over 40 years of experience brings a wealth of knowledge to our program. She has competed and coached through ARHA (American Ranch Horse Association) events and has extensive AQHA, Arya show experience as well as experience working with collegiate riders through Clemson University’s equestrian programs. She has numerous other accolades and has trained horses throughout her lifetime. Her emphasis on horsemanship, ranch, reining, and developing confident riders makes her an incredible addition to the community.

If you’ve ever considered riding in college or showing, IEA is one of the best ways to get started. Riders compete on horses provided by the host team, creating a level playing field where horsemanship and adaptability matter most. It allows students to gain valuable show experience, build confidence, make lifelong friendships, and compete as part of a team without the expense of horse ownership.

Our team will focus on:
• Horsemanship and rider development
• Sportsmanship and teamwork
• Show preparation and competition skills
• Building confidence both in and out of the saddle

IEA is open to riders in grades 4-12, and no horse ownership is required.

We’re looking forward to building something special and helping riders discover all the opportunities IEA has to offer.

Message us to learn more!

05/28/2026

SUMMER STEM ON THE FARM

Join us this summer at Idlehurst for a series of hands-on, farm-based STEM experiences designed to connect children to real life through meaningful work, exploration, and creativity.

Each session blends guided learning with time spent in the garden, with the animals, and engaging in simple homestead skills, always centered around a purposeful take-home project your child can be proud of. From science and nature studies to practical farm skills, these mornings are designed to spark curiosity while keeping childhood rooted in hands-on learning.

We offer two small-group sessions each day:
8:30–10:30 AM
10:30 AM–12:30 PM

Cost is $25 per a participating child.

Dates and Themes:

June 19 - Horse Biology and Engineering
June 26 - Berry Science : Chemistry of Preservatiom
July 10 - Animal Stomachs and Digestion
July 17 - Pollination and Ecosystems
July 24 - Dairy States of Matter
July 31 - Grains from Seeds to Foods
August 7 - Herbs: Plant Chemistry
August 21 - Irrigation and Water Systems

Spots are intentionally limited.

This is a parent-attended program. Please come dressed for the farm in durable, closed-toe shoes and bring a water bottle and snack. To learn more visit the sign up link below.

🔗 Sign Up Here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/Idlehurst2/SummerOnTheFarmSTEMSeries

05/25/2026

Today is not just another quiet day on the farm.

It’s a day of reflection. A day of gratitude. A day of remembering the men and women who gave their lives for this country and the freedoms we often take for granted.

While the horses still need feeding and the sun still rises over the pastures, today carries a different kind of weight. Freedom was not given lightly. It was defended through courage, sacrifice, and lives laid down far from home by people who believed in something bigger than themselves.

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor those who never made it home. We remember the families who carry that sacrifice long after the uniforms are folded away. And we remain deeply grateful for the freedoms we get to live each day because of them.

Today the farm is still but our gratitude runs deep.

05/23/2026

Finally catching up on everything this spring and thought I would share Ridge's first moments in the world. What a miracle to witness.

05/23/2026

I’ve had several people ask how Ridge got his name, and honestly… this picture tells the whole story. 😂

Snickers has always been known for being the world’s messiest eater. She doesn’t just eat hay… she excavates it. Every meal looks like she lost a wrestling match with a bale.

One day while we were waiting on our precious c**t to arrive, I told Ryan I was leaving extra hay on the ground because I knew Snickers was going to ruffle through it anyway. All of the hay you see on the ground was in the hay rack twenty minutes ago when the stall was cleaned 💀

Without missing a beat, Ryan goes:
“Well, if she has a boy, we should call him Ridge… because Ruffles have ridges.”

And just like that, the name stuck. 🤣

So yes, our beautiful little c**t is technically named after a potato chip joke and his mother’s inability to eat politely.

Wish us luck as we are on constant stall cleaning duty over the next few days of rain!

05/15/2026

Looking for a truly unique addition to your flock? We have a beautiful group of Exhibition Quality Breda Fowl available.

Breda Fowl are an extremely rare heritage breed known for their gentle personalities, striking appearance, and impressive size. These birds are incredibly friendly and child-friendly, making them a wonderful fit for families, hobby farms, or anyone wanting a flock with personality.

As a bonus, they lay beautiful white eggs that are perfect for Easter egg dyeing with your children. 🥚

While they are not known for being strong free rangers, they thrive in thoughtfully managed flocks and make exceptional ornamental and exhibition birds thanks to their calm temperaments and unique appearance.

✔️ Rare heritage breed
✔️ Large, calm, friendly birds
✔️ Exhibition quality
✔️ Great for families and homesteads
✔️ White egg layers

These are not birds you commonly come across, especially in quality lines. Serious inquiries only, please.

05/14/2026

Ever wonder what your Idlehurst teachers do after school? Around here the second shift starts in the barn. Milking cows, feeding horses, checking animals, cleaning buckets… glamorous stuff. Mrs. Kimberly is a jack of all trades!

But honestly, this is the heartbeat behind Idlehurst Learning Collective. We want kids to grow up knowing how to care for things, work with their hands, and understand the world beyond a screen.

Which brings us to an important vote:
Should the kids get a dairy cow next year?

Because we already know at least a few tiny farmhands who would absolutely volunteer for milk duty.

05/13/2026

Come visit us for farm fun this Sunday in Greer!

🍎 POP Club at the Market! 🌱
📅 Sunday, May 17th | 11 AM – 2 PM | Greer City Park

Bring the kiddos by the market this week during our Farm • Homestead • Homeschool themed market day! 🐝🚜🦋

✨ This week’s featured kids activities brought to you by one of our partners, Idlehurst Learning Collective: a farm-based learning community led by certified teachers, where children can learn through exploration, nature, creativity, and real-world experiences while still receiving high-quality academic instruction and support. What began as a small dream rooted in preserving childhood has grown into a thriving community focused on individualized learning, outdoor education, life skills, and creating a space where every child feels known, valued, and encouraged to grow at their own pace.

They will have:
🦋 Butterfly Cycle Sensory Bin
🌻 Pollinator Sensory Bin
🌱 Planting Sensory Bin
🔎 Kids Scavenger Hunt

Idlehurst Learning Collective will be set up right beside the GFM booth, where kids can also receive their FREE $5 produce vouchers! The first 50 kids at each market receive vouchers to shop for fresh fruits, veggies, eggs, or honey with our farmers. 🍓🥕🍅

🥬 Don’t forget — we also:
✔️ Double SNAP benefits
✔️ Accept WIC & Senior Farmers Market Vouchers
✔️ Have a weekly newsletter where you can stay up to date with everything Greer Farmers Market!

👉 Vendor map, food assistance info, printable flyers (English & Spanish), and more local resources: GreerFarmersMarket.com

05/11/2026

SUMMER HORSE CAMP COUNSELORS WANTED

We are currently looking for Summer Horse Camp Counselors to join us at Idlehurst this summer!

This is a great paid opportunity for responsible kids and teens ages 13+ looking for a fun part-time summer job spent outdoors, around horses, and helping younger campers learn and grow.

Counselors will assist with:
• Helping campers during riding activities
• Grooming and basic horse care
• Crafts and games
• Keeping camp organized and safe
• Creating a positive and encouraging environment for campers

Applicants must be responsible, dependable, and comfortable working outdoors in the summer heat. Horse experience is preferred, but we are willing to train the right individuals prior to camps beginning.

Please note: each camp week has a limited number of counselor spots available.

If you are interested in working summer camps with us, please fill out this form. https://www.cognitoforms.com/Idlehurst2/HorsebackRidingCampCounselorSignUpForm