Five new bleating hearts have been added to Tucson Village Farm.

The founding members of the TVF’s new Animal Education Center - four Nigerian dwarf goats and one Alpine goat – bring the animal species count at the educational working farm to two and sends the adorable factor through the roof.

The miniscule ruminants (and one large one) will now serve alongside chickens to teach kids where we get food.

Starting in 2010 with a 1-acre garden at the University of Arizona Campus Agricultural Center, the farm has gradually expanded to include a commercial kitchen/culinary education center, larger crop area, fruit orchard and now the Animal Education Center. 

The plan is to expand the herd (four is generally the minimum to be considered a herd), either through acquisition or breeding, and later add sheep, said Sabra Mayer, the TVF field trip program coordinator and chief goat herder.

The new space includes a grazing area and a 60- by 100-foot shade structure over four converted shipping containers with goat stalls, a future home for sheep, office space and storage. The shade also covers a feeding area, where the goats each get up to a pound of alfalfa daily.

You can check out the new space – and the goats – March 7 at the Barnyard Trot, a fundraiser that which will include the Animal Education Center grand opening, expo and farm market, pancake breakfast and family fun challenge course.