The Charm of The Farm

Fifteen-year-old Kelsey Mayer cuddles a baby goat at The Farm. Photo by Len Villano.

Hopping off Highway 57 to The Farm, I figured I knew what to expect. With my dad growing up on a farm, I had seen chickens and touched cows through wooden fences. But The Farm offered an entirely new experience for children and adults, both city-bred and rural.

What struck me most was the level of history and facts about everything farming. The young children may run off to the chicken coop or stable, but there is much to be taken away from the Woodshed or Lime Kiln, both of which were built over a century ago. The machines and instruments inside look as though they outdate their buildings. Each object is tacked with a nametag describing its use. For example, I have seen large tooth saws, but never knew that they were used to cut the ice on the lake to act as refrigeration for the summer season.

I also learned a bit about raw flax seeds, which are one of the most nutritious and beneficial foods for all kinds of athletes and something I try to make a part of my daily diet.

Another striking and unexpected draw that I found at The Farm was the short network of trails through a wooded area that rivals the trails in the local state parks. The winding path takes you far away enough to think that you have left the grounds of The Farm for a walk in the woods. I found myself happily lost upon exiting the trail system to a group of sleeping swans by the pond.

An array of animals – chickens, goats, pigs, and more – interact with children and adults alike at The Farm. Photo by Len Villano.

But let us not ignore the primary draw of The Farm. It boasts countless adorable animals from baby goats to baby kittens to baby chickens. Entering the grounds I was immediately greeted by a swarm of these baby goats that roam throughout The Farm waiting on guests and their tiny bottles of milk. I watched as a group of baby goats insisted that the milk held by a little girl was meant for them while another snuck off to begin gnawing on a stroller.

Going to The Farm left me with a different understanding of all that really goes into the art of farming and a better grasp on the history of farming in Door County. There is also no shortage of adorable animals that make you wish you had a farm of your own.

The Farm, located on Highway 57 north of Sturgeon Bay, is open daily from 9 am – 5 pm. For more information call 920.743.6666 or visit http://www.thefarmindoorcounty.com.