Winnie the pony will do many things for you this year, including sending you a birthday card with a hoof-print signature. That’s one of the benefits if you “adopt” her.

As part of a holiday donation drive, the Educational Farm at Joppa Hill is offering a chance for children or parents to adopt one of five farm animals.

Executive Director Carol Whitson said the farm will offer the chance to be a yearly benefactor to Winnie, Jake the farm dog, Whisper the horse, Dennis the donkey or Panda the dairy cow.

“If there’s any particular animal that isn’t on that list, but people like that animal, they’re welcome to donate to them, too,” Whitson said.

“Adopting” the animals means anyone can donate money toward that animal’s well being, including food and care throughout the winter into next year, Whitson said.

“Winter’s the hardest part of the year, and we want to make sure everyone makes it through and is well fed,” Whitson said. Donation levels start at $25, and range up above $500, she said.

“We’re excited about this because sometimes we get little kids in here who say ‘I want to help,’ but they’re too young to volunteer,” Whitson said.

Children younger than 14 years old must be with a parent to volunteer.

“But this way they’ll be able to help in a different way,” she said.

Each adoption level comes with a different package for the donor. Within the levels, donors may get a T-shirt, CD of photos of their adopted animal or a fact sheet for the animal. In the barn, there will also be an “adoption tree” to recognize donors, Whitson said.

Some donors will be invited to a “Breakfast at a Beastly Hour,” an early-morning feast as part of an adopted parents’ day. Anyone who adopts an animal would be able to spend time getting to know their animal around the farm.

“They would learn exactly what he eats, what he does at the farm, what he likes to do,” Whitson said. “And, they’d learn all his naughty little tricks.” Donations will also help foster relationships between children and the animals.

“We love that. It’s just what we want the kids to have, because it’s their farm, it’s Bedford’s farm,” she said. “Even at $25, that means a lot to us.”

Other animals might be up for adoption, but haven’t yet had their pictures taken in wintergear for their holiday gift cards. In Winnie’s holiday card, the pony is wearing a Santa hat and is draped in red.

The farm will sell adoptions with the holiday cards during its Christmas tree sale, which takes place every weekend in December from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and also online at www.theeducation alfarm.org.

The farm is located on Joppa Hill Road, off North Amherst Road.