Where people, animals, and purpose come together.
Hidden Pastures is a nonprofit working farm in Wylie, Texas where children, adults, families, and community members learn through real experiences with animals, nature, practical skills, and everyday farm life.
Through programs, lessons, private experiences, camps, events, and volunteer opportunities, people have space to try new things, build real skills, connect with others, and discover what they are capable of.
More Than a Place to Visit
At Hidden Pastures, the farm is not simply the backdrop.
Animals need care. Projects need to be completed. Skills take practice. Relationships develop over time. Problems have to be worked through.
Those everyday experiences create opportunities to learn through doing, take responsibility, build confidence through competence, and participate in something that matters.
The farm does not give people answers. It gives them a place to practice finding their own.
Featured Event
The Ones We Carry
A Quiet Evening of Remembrance & Hope
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time: 6:30–8:00 PM
Description:
A quiet evening for those carrying grief that feels heavy, complicated, or hard to explain. In recognition of Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month, we’ll gather to remember those we have lost, be present with the animals and one another, and honor the choice to keep staying.
Remembrance stones, Stay Lights, quiet farm spaces, and gentle animal connection will be available throughout the evening.
Free to attend. RSVP appreciated, but not required.
There Are Many Ways to Be Part of Hidden Pastures
Youth and Family Farm Programs
Hands-on farm experiences where children can learn, explore, practice skills, spend time with animals, and become part of real farm life.
Includes Farm Club, Cultivate: Reading & Confidence, Homeschool Farm Days, Little Farmers, All Abilities Farm Day, and more.
Adult Programs & Experiences
Learn, connect, build skills, and be part of life at the farm.
Explore hands-on farm learning, community gatherings, horsemanship, volunteering, and individualized experiences designed for adults.
Horsemanship & Riding Lessons
Private 1:1 Western riding lessons for ages 8 through adult, combining mounted instruction with complete horsemanship, horse care, groundwork, and practical skills.
Private Equine-Assisted Learning & Wellbeing
Individualized experiences for ages 14+ centered on connection, learning, practical skills, confidence, communication, regulation, problem-solving, and personal growth.
Riding is not required and is not the primary focus.
Seasonal Farm Camps
Spend more time at Hidden Pastures during school breaks and summer through immersive days filled with animals, outdoor activities, projects, practical skills, and real farm life.
Visit the Farm
Looking for a private family experience, birthday celebration, event, or another way to spend time at Hidden Pastures?
Explore the different ways to plan a visit.
Learning Happens Through Real Experience
Hidden Pastures programs are built around meaningful participation rather than passive observation.
Depending on the experience, participants may:
- Care for animals
- Learn horsemanship
- Read with animals nearby
- Work on farm projects
- Explore nature and agriculture
- Practice communication and problem-solving
- Develop practical skills
- Take responsibility for real tasks
- Spend time connecting with others
- Learn through trial, practice, and experience
Not every program looks the same.
What connects them is the belief that people grow when they have meaningful opportunities to participate, practice, contribute, and discover what they can do.
Real Skills. Real Responsibility. Real Confidence.
Confidence is not something we simply tell people to have.
It grows when someone learns how to do something that once felt unfamiliar or difficult.
That may mean leading a horse, completing a farm task, reading aloud, caring for an animal, solving a problem, riding independently, contributing to a group, or discovering a new skill.
At Hidden Pastures, accomplishment comes from participation and practice.
Relationships With Animals, Grounded in Real Life
Animals are an important part of Hidden Pastures, but we do not ask them to perform emotional work for people or claim that they know what someone needs.
Participants learn to observe, communicate, care for, work alongside, and build appropriate relationships with animals.
That creates real opportunities to practice patience, awareness, responsibility, boundaries, communication, and trust.
The animals are not props. Their wellbeing and individual needs matter too.
A Farm With Room for Different People and Different Paths
Hidden Pastures welcomes people with a wide range of interests, abilities, experiences, and reasons for coming to the farm.
Our programs and experiences serve:
- Children and teens
- Families
- Homeschool students
- Adults
- Women
- Individuals with disabilities and support needs
- Veterans and first responders
- Survivors and people navigating difficult life experiences
- Riders and aspiring horse people
- Community members who simply want meaningful time with animals and outdoors
You do not need to fit into a particular category to belong here.
Not every program is appropriate for every participant, but we work to provide a range of ways for people to find a place at the farm.
Want to Come to the Farm?
Hidden Pastures is a working farm with scheduled programs, animal care, private activities, and events.
We are not open for unscheduled drop-in visits, but there are many ways to experience the farm.
You can:
- Book a Private Farm Tour
- Celebrate with a Birthday Party
- Join a program or class
- Attend a Seasonal Farm Camp
- Come to an event
- Participate in Volunteer Farm Hours
We Can Bring a Little of the Farm to You
Hidden Pastures Animal Visits bring appropriate farm animals into the community for private celebrations, organizations, senior communities, workplaces, schools, and larger events.
Choose from:
- Goat-Grams
- Community Animal Visits
- Event Animal Visits
Helping Make Participation Possible
Cost should not automatically prevent someone from participating in a meaningful Hidden Pastures experience.
Need-based assistance may be available through the Hidden Pastures Access Fund based on available funding.
Awards may help cover some or all of the cost of an eligible program depending on individual need, program cost, and available funds.
Assistance is not guaranteed.
Built From a Belief in What a Farm Can Offer
Hidden Pastures was founded by Allie and Brian, both veterans, alongside their families.
Together, they built a working nonprofit farm centered on meaningful experiences, responsible animal care, practical learning, and connection.
What began as a place their own family needed has grown into a place where others can learn, participate, contribute, and belong.
Help Hidden Pastures Grow
As a nonprofit farm, Hidden Pastures depends on community participation and support.
There are several ways to be part of what happens here:
Volunteer
Work hard, learn, serve, and help care for the farm through Volunteer Farm Hours.
Sponsor an Animal
Help support the ongoing care of the animals who make Hidden Pastures possible.
Donate
Support programs, animal care, farm operations, and opportunities for people to participate.
Find Your Place at Hidden Pastures
Come to learn something new, spend time with animals, build a skill, celebrate, volunteer, connect with others, or simply experience life on the farm in a different way.
There is more than one way to belong here.