Hi there, I’m Gloves, the curious goat with the best view of everything that happens at Red River Acres. Every morning, my goat friend and I burst out of the barn ready to see what the day will bring. The hens are already chattering in the coop, and the barn cats slink through the grass like shadow-explorers on secret missions. Then we hear it, the footsteps of the children arriving. That’s when the real adventure begins. They brush our coats, scratch between our horns, and tell us their plans for the day, and I nod along because I plan to follow them everywhere. I can always tell when something exciting is about to happen: their voices get brighter, and their backpacks bounce a little as they walk.

When they head toward the woods, I’m right behind them, trotting along with my friend as the cats zigzag between us. The children climb logs, crouch to study tracks, and whisper when they find something new, and I try to peek over their shoulders even if I have no idea what they’re pointing at. Sometimes they race down the trail, and I pretend I’m not racing them, but I absolutely am. They stop at the coop to gather warm eggs, build tiny shelters in the woods, invent stories about the river, and discover new paths no one noticed yesterday. By the time they return to the barn for chores and goodbyes, we’re all pleasantly tired from exploring. When the children head home and the farm grows quiet, I curl up knowing tomorrow will bring brand-new discoveries, and I’ll be there for every single one.

I grew up in Horace, North Dakota — a proud mouser and loyal shop cat, living my best life with my mom and sister. After they both crossed into brighter pastures, I decided it was time to make a new friend. I wandered across the road to visit the house cat who lived there… but apparently her humans didn’t appreciate my daily drop-ins. They told my owners I needed to start staying indoors.

But here’s the thing.
I’ve lived outside my whole life.
I love the wind, the fields, the crunch of snow under my paws, and my daily mouse tally. Even on the coldest winter mornings, I never once wished for walls.

Thankfully, my humans knew exactly what to do.

Their children were joining a new school — and the school said they would gladly take me in as their founding mouser. A real job! A new territory! A whole community of children to follow around and beg chin scratches from!

Now I get to choose my headquarters:
• the goat granary
• the chicken house
• or the big red barn

Honestly… I’m spoiled for choice.

I can’t wait to roam the land, greet the new students, and continue my lifelong mission:
one mouse tally at a time.

(Ah… but where will I carve my mouse tallies now? My old shop wall was quite the trophy.)

— Rosie

Although I’m just a placeholder for the incredible flock that will soon call Red River Acres home, I’m already dreaming about everything the land has in store for me and my feathered friends.

First of all… my house.
Yes, my house.
The old helper house has been officially claimed, thank you very much.
A crisp white cottage with a white picket fence?
Straight out of a country girl’s daydream, and I fully intend to strut around like I own it.

Now, let’s talk about my eggs.

Everyone knows hens lay eggs.
But my eggs?

Glorious.
Golden.
Practically glowing.

The kind of eggs children will race down the trail to collect, whispering,
“Do you think Harriet laid this one?”
(Yes. Yes, I did.)

Prize-winning doesn’t begin to describe them.
These eggs will make omelets legendary. They'll inspire poems. They may even cause a little clucking jealousy from the other hens… but what can I say? Greatness has a shine to it.

I can’t wait for the children to come visit, peek into my beautiful coop, and marvel at the magic I produce daily. I’ll fluff my feathers, give them a confident tilt of the head, and think:

Finally. An audience worthy of me.

Until then, I’ll be imagining the flock, the fields, and my future kingdom; where every child learns that a little confidence (and a perfect egg) can brighten any day.

— Harriet,
Queen of the Coop
Bearer of Remarkable Eggs
Soon-to-be Red River Acres Icon