Discover the role of farm animals in your lives.
Accessible via Farm Trail or a seasonal tractor shuttle that runs on the half-hour from the Welcome Center, mid-May to mid-October
-
We have Nubian goats, which have long floppy ears (can you pick them out in this photo?), as well as Alpine goats and Nigerian Dwarf goats.
-
These yearling cows (and future milk makers) rotate grazing around the farm to keep our pastures healthy and nutritious. They are always on the move so you never know where you will see them next. Keep an eye out for them from our trails.
-
Did you know that Shelburne Farms also raises beef cows? These Red Angus and Brown Swiss crosses (we all them "Swangus" cows), are redder in color than the Brown Swiss cows. See if you can spot any in our pastures.
-
We have three pigs on the farm. They are crosses of two heritage breeds: Tamworth Berkshires and Gloucestershire Old Spots.
-
Brawny and Franco, our miniature Sicilian donkeys joined the farm from Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue in NH. Donkeys of all sizes are a rich part of agricultural history: they're used for transportation, carrying loads, pulling wagons, guarding sheep flocks, and more.
-
We have a variety of chicken breeds, including Black Copper Marans, pictured here, as well as three heritage turkeys. **To keep our birds healthy and safe during the current Avian Influenza pandemic, we have quarantined them inside where they can be viewed from a distance.**
-
Keep an eye out for our production sheep flock that provides us with meat and wool. Like our cows, the sheep are rotationally grazed across our pastures and fields. You will also find a small flock of education sheep on pasture near the Farm Barn.
-
You can find Freddy (far right), our Rex/New Zealand cross, and our French Angoras, Hazel and Coconut, in their outdoor hutch on pleasant days. Just like sheep's wool, Angora rabbit fiber can be spun into soft yarn! Freddy's breed is representative of rabbits raised for their meat.
-
We milk a herd of Brown Swiss dairy cows twice a day and make cheddar cheese from their milk. You often can see the herd out on pasture grazing.
Discover all the farm animals, including sheep, cows, goats, rabbits, horses, pigs, and donkeys. Click through the slideshow to meet some of them before your visit.
Enjoy hands-on activities throughout the day that connect you to your food and fiber through our animals and education garden. Make some memories!
Here are a few examples of activities (schedule varies daily):
- Hand milk a Brown Swiss cow at 10:30am and 2:00pm daily
- Spin sheep's wool into colorful yarn bracelets
- Groom an Angora rabbit
- Visit our education sheep inside their pasture
- Groom a horse
- Goat kid play time
- Feed the pigs
- Bottle feed our calves
Want to bring a school or camp group to the farmyard this season? Request a self-guided visit.
Farm Barn Fun
And there's lots more to experience at the Farm Barn!
• View cheesemaking
• Meet an owl or hawk at "Raptors in Residence"
• Read a storybook along a trail in "StoryWalk"
• Enjoy lunch and snacks at the Farm Cart
Schedules for all offerings at link.
