Experience the Joy of the Farm
There's something restorative and enchanting about farm life, and we'd love to share it with you.
Come meet our goats--their charming personalities and adorable faces are guaranteed to instantly make your day brighter. If you'd like to hike the wooded trails, the goats might just join you--they love to browse for snacks along the trails. Interested in the science behind keeping our herd healthy? Help us check for parasites under a microscope or ration the goats' grain feed based on their weight. Ready to get your hands dirty? Goats need hoof trimming just like people need to cut their nails--are you up for the task? If you visit at the right time of the year you may even get to milk one of our mama does. No matter when you come, the goats will love you forever if you offer them some tasty probiotic treats or refill their hayfeeder.
When you visit the chicken palace you might find some eggs hiding in the nesting boxes. Watch the hens and roosters gobble up the bugs in the grass or offer them some treats from the garden. Learn to ID our nine breeds of chickens and find out what makes each breed unique. Ayam Cemanis are rare Indonesian black chickens--everything from their beaks and combs to their tongues and skin is black. They are "wilder" than our fluffy flock out in the chicken palace and thus have their own coop along the drive next to the Bielefelders who are known to be one of the friendliest breeds around. Visitors in the spring may even get to hold some adorable baby chicks!
After you've met the animals, take a guided hike on some of our 2+ miles of trails and learn about the native trees and plants along the way. You may even find some mushrooms to identify and harvest or spot a wild turkey roosting in a tree! Watch for animal tracks in the mud and bring water shoes to explore the creek.
And don't forget about the gardens! In the spring and summer get ready to help plant some seeds in our garden beds or in a pot to take home with you. Learn about composting and sustainable planting practices, as well as gardening tips for your home veggie plot. In the summer learn to identify herbs, peppers, tomatoes, gourds, and other plants by sight. Pick some raspberries and blackberries to munch on and pick yourself a bouquet of garden flowers. In the fall help harvest our plentiful vegetables, dig for potatoes, and plant end of summer crops in our cold frames.
Don't leave without an ear or two of purple corn and a mini pumpkin!
If you're feeling creative make sure to stop by the Art Barn where you'll find our pottery and painting studios. Schedule a wheel-throwing or hand building lesson or glaze a mug to pick up on your next visit. Take some watercolors and an easel to the goat field and create a plein air masterpiece or learn to draw and color a goat! Use knot-tying techniques to construct a decorative macramé wall hanging or learn the simple crochet stitch. Take part in traditional seasonal crafts using natural materials from our woodlands and fields. There's something for all ages (and artistic abilities!).
Come meet our goats--their charming personalities and adorable faces are guaranteed to instantly make your day brighter. If you'd like to hike the wooded trails, the goats might just join you--they love to browse for snacks along the trails. Interested in the science behind keeping our herd healthy? Help us check for parasites under a microscope or ration the goats' grain feed based on their weight. Ready to get your hands dirty? Goats need hoof trimming just like people need to cut their nails--are you up for the task? If you visit at the right time of the year you may even get to milk one of our mama does. No matter when you come, the goats will love you forever if you offer them some tasty probiotic treats or refill their hayfeeder.
When you visit the chicken palace you might find some eggs hiding in the nesting boxes. Watch the hens and roosters gobble up the bugs in the grass or offer them some treats from the garden. Learn to ID our nine breeds of chickens and find out what makes each breed unique. Ayam Cemanis are rare Indonesian black chickens--everything from their beaks and combs to their tongues and skin is black. They are "wilder" than our fluffy flock out in the chicken palace and thus have their own coop along the drive next to the Bielefelders who are known to be one of the friendliest breeds around. Visitors in the spring may even get to hold some adorable baby chicks!
After you've met the animals, take a guided hike on some of our 2+ miles of trails and learn about the native trees and plants along the way. You may even find some mushrooms to identify and harvest or spot a wild turkey roosting in a tree! Watch for animal tracks in the mud and bring water shoes to explore the creek.
And don't forget about the gardens! In the spring and summer get ready to help plant some seeds in our garden beds or in a pot to take home with you. Learn about composting and sustainable planting practices, as well as gardening tips for your home veggie plot. In the summer learn to identify herbs, peppers, tomatoes, gourds, and other plants by sight. Pick some raspberries and blackberries to munch on and pick yourself a bouquet of garden flowers. In the fall help harvest our plentiful vegetables, dig for potatoes, and plant end of summer crops in our cold frames.
Don't leave without an ear or two of purple corn and a mini pumpkin!
If you're feeling creative make sure to stop by the Art Barn where you'll find our pottery and painting studios. Schedule a wheel-throwing or hand building lesson or glaze a mug to pick up on your next visit. Take some watercolors and an easel to the goat field and create a plein air masterpiece or learn to draw and color a goat! Use knot-tying techniques to construct a decorative macramé wall hanging or learn the simple crochet stitch. Take part in traditional seasonal crafts using natural materials from our woodlands and fields. There's something for all ages (and artistic abilities!).
What To Bring
First and foremost, please bring a spirit of fun and curiosity! :-)
Purple Goat Gardens is largely wooded and has a creek running through it so you will definitely want waterproof boots that can get dirty, regardless of the time of year, and bug spray in the spring, summer, and early fall. If it's a buggy time of year you may even want to bring a light jacket to repel mosquitos. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are always a good idea when hiking, but optional for our guests.
If you plan to get artistic you may want to wear clothes you don't mind getting art supplies on (clay, paints, etc.).
You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the farm.
Dogs require a reservation and must be kept on a leash for the safety of our animals.
Purple Goat Gardens is largely wooded and has a creek running through it so you will definitely want waterproof boots that can get dirty, regardless of the time of year, and bug spray in the spring, summer, and early fall. If it's a buggy time of year you may even want to bring a light jacket to repel mosquitos. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are always a good idea when hiking, but optional for our guests.
If you plan to get artistic you may want to wear clothes you don't mind getting art supplies on (clay, paints, etc.).
You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the farm.
Dogs require a reservation and must be kept on a leash for the safety of our animals.
Private Tours
Private Tours are offered year-round and booked by appointment only (below). Private Tours can accommodate up to 20 adults and children and are tailored to the interests of the visiting group. (Activities available will be different depending on time of year, staff available at the requested time, and the conditions on the farm.) Farm staff will work with your group to create an experience that is both entertaining and informative, and definitely full of goats!
Private Tour (1.5 - 2 hours)
"Spend the Day" Farm Visit with Special Activities* (3 - 4 hours)
More information on Pottery Lessons/Workshops and Boardgame Barn Reservations can be found on those pages.
*Some activities (such as candle-making, tie-dye, pottery lessons or seasonal crafts like wreath-making) incur additional costs for materials. This will be discussed with the coordinator when planning the visit.
Private Tours are offered year-round and booked by appointment only (below). Private Tours can accommodate up to 20 adults and children and are tailored to the interests of the visiting group. (Activities available will be different depending on time of year, staff available at the requested time, and the conditions on the farm.) Farm staff will work with your group to create an experience that is both entertaining and informative, and definitely full of goats!
Private Tour (1.5 - 2 hours)
- Small tour special (approx. 75 min) for 2 people: $75
- Up to 6 people (adults and children ages 3 and up--under 3 are welcome and free): $120
- $10 for each additional person
"Spend the Day" Farm Visit with Special Activities* (3 - 4 hours)
- Small tour special rate for 2 people (approx. 2.5 hrs) : $150
- Up to 6 people (adults and children ages 3 and up--under 3 are welcome and free): $200
- $15 for each additional person
More information on Pottery Lessons/Workshops and Boardgame Barn Reservations can be found on those pages.
*Some activities (such as candle-making, tie-dye, pottery lessons or seasonal crafts like wreath-making) incur additional costs for materials. This will be discussed with the coordinator when planning the visit.
SUMMER - ONLY PROGRAMS
Click here for more info on our TODDLER TIME Program!
Click here for more info on the FARM CHORES WITH KIDS Program!
Click here for more info and to register for our KIDS' FARM CAMP!
Click here for more info about our preschool NATURE PRESCHOOL program!
Click here for more info on our TODDLER TIME Program!
Click here for more info on the FARM CHORES WITH KIDS Program!
Click here for more info and to register for our KIDS' FARM CAMP!
Click here for more info about our preschool NATURE PRESCHOOL program!
Summer Farm Tours -
WITH BABY GOATS!
Summer farm tours are offered select Saturday and Sundays from 11am - 12:30. Couples, friends, and families are all welcome to join us for a fun, interactive and informational farm tour. We will tell you all about our farm, spend quality time with the goats, visit with the chickens and collect some eggs, and tour the garden. During your tour you may be invited to:
Summer Saturday Farm Tour (90 min)
Submit a tour request form here to book your spot this Saturday!
WITH BABY GOATS!
Summer farm tours are offered select Saturday and Sundays from 11am - 12:30. Couples, friends, and families are all welcome to join us for a fun, interactive and informational farm tour. We will tell you all about our farm, spend quality time with the goats, visit with the chickens and collect some eggs, and tour the garden. During your tour you may be invited to:
- Cuddle ADORABLE baby goats! Expect a full house of adorable little babies on our June and July tours!
- Participate to your comfort level in daily farm chores, including collecting eggs, milking our dairy goats, putting out hay and water and more
- Spend time hanging out in the woods with the sweetest goats on Earth (You've heard of goat yoga, but Baby Goats and Chill is a lot more fun in our opinion!)
- Feed chickens and goats from your hands
- Plant, harvest, or care for the garden
- Hike the trails with the goats (weather/trail condition dependent)
- Participate in community art projects
Summer Saturday Farm Tour (90 min)
- $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 3 - 17
- 2 and under are welcome and free!
Submit a tour request form here to book your spot this Saturday!
School and Summer Camp Groups
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