IMAGINE A place where children’s eyes light up at the sight of a newborn calf, where tiny hands gather eggs from under clucking hens, and where the wonders of farm life unfold right before them. Welcome to Royalty Rock Farm, owned by the ever-enthusiastic Emily Rock. Located just off of Old Greenhill Road in Bowling Green, this farm isn’t just any ordinary farm — it’s a magical space for kids and a lesson in where our food comes from.
Rock’s journey from farm girl to farm school entrepreneur is a heartwarming story of connection, inspiration, and a love for the land. “I grew up on a farm and didn’t realize how lucky I was until I moved more towards the city,” she recalled. “When I went to school at Western in Bowling Green, I met a whole different group of people and realized there’s a lot of kids that don’t make that connection to where their food comes from.”
After the birth of her first child, Rock found herself with time on her hands and an idea sprouting in her mind. “I was home all day with a newborn, and I was bored. So, I thought, what could I do?” she explained. With a bit of inspiration from her Instagram followers, who were fascinated by her farm life, Rock decided to offer a farm school class.
In March 2023, the first session of Royalty Rock Farm School was born, and it was an instant hit.
“Kids come for an hour, once a week, for an entire month. The ages range from 1 1/2 to 12 years old, but usually it’s kids under 5,” Rock said.
The classes are designed to be fun and educational, teaching children about farm life and where the food they love to eat comes from.
“The best part is seeing their eyes light up when they make that real-life connection,” Rock said. “When we get to the chicken coop, and they lift up a hen to find eggs underneath, their first instinct is always, ‘Can we crack them?’ And I’m like, ‘Sure!’”
Watching the kids’ amazement as they crack eggs that look just like the ones they cook at home is a joy for Rock.
Rock’s farm school isn’t just for the kids. Sometimes, the parents are just as excited.
“I’ve had a lot of adults ask if I would do an adult farm school,” she laughed.
The sessions are a family affair. Parents stay with their children, often enjoying the experience as much as the little ones.
Aside from the educational aspect, Royalty Rock Farm also sells raw milk through a herd share program.
“The kids learn to milk the cow, and they’re welcome to try the milk if they want to,” Rock said.
The program has become a favorite among the families who visit the farm, with many parents falling in love with the fresh milk and signing up to get their weekly supply.
Each farm school class is a unique adventure. Rock limits the classes to 15 kids, though usually, it’s about 7 to 10 per session.
“I’ve had one class with just four little girls, and it was the funniest class I’ve ever had. By the second session, they were running the show,” she recalled fondly.
Rock runs the farm school from March through June, ensuring the children aren’t exposed to the extreme summer heat.
“Everything is outside, and a lot of these kids aren’t used to being outside all day in the heat,” she explained.
Though she’s taking a break this fall due to the upcoming arrival of her second baby, Rock has a homeschool field trip planned for October, ensuring the farm school magic continues.
For a fee of $150, children get four hours on the farm and a T-shirt to remember their experience.
“It’s a lot of homeschooled kids or younger toddlers that need some entertainment throughout the day,” Rock shared. “They come here and chase chickens around. It’s so cute!”
Rock and her husband both grew up on farms, so running Royalty Rock Farm is a way of life for them.
“We moved here in January 2021 with nothing — no fencing, not even a five-gallon bucket,” she laughed. “We bought our first show heifer in March, and eventually, she became a milk cow. That’s how we started selling raw milk.”
Beyond milk, the farm occasionally sells pork.
“Last December, we butchered two pigs and sold out of bacon and pork chops pretty quickly,” Rock said.
Rock’s enthusiasm for farm life and dedication to teaching kids about it inspire many in our community.
“Not everyone can be a farmer, but making a connection with someone local who can provide you with eggs or meat, or even starting a little tomato plant in your backyard — there’s always something small you can do to be a bit more self-reliant,” she advised.
Her message is simple: Understanding where our food comes from and supporting local farms can make a big difference. Emily Rock and her farm school are not just teaching kids about farm life — they’re planting the seeds for a deeper connection to the land and a greater appreciation for the food on our tables.
So, if you ever find yourself looking to explore some farm life, remember to visit Royalty Rock Farm, where the air is filled with laughter, the clucking of hens, and the joy of children discovering the magic of farm life. E-I-E-I-Oh, what a wonderful world Emily Rock has created! GN
