Check Out: Spring Fling
Why Build?
Our purpose is clear... we are called to serve children and young people of West Michigan and beyond through a working farm that provides hands-on experiences of learning and inspiration!
Hailee's story...
After a day of class at the Critter Barn, Hailee turned and exclaimed, "This was the best day of my whole life!"
She has found purpose and meaning for her life as she has grown friendships with others who care for the animals at our farm. Hailee is in her third year of volunteering. She always wears a smile!
Cora's wish...
After a long day of volunteering, Cora's mom came to pick her up. "You know she'd sleep here if she could," she said, "this has been so good for her!"
Cora smiled, "Yeah, that's right, there's no place that I'd rather be."
First things first... Phase 1
We’re BUILDING!
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Our current farm has huts and sheds, but our new farm will have two major barns and 8 smaller barns to house the animals we currently have. The site will resemble a traditional farm of the 20th century with main barns and outbuildings. Traditional Barns are the core of our Hands-On program for guests and students.
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We are anxious to construct:
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Clubhouse barn for our Barnyard Crew
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Our Mill for making flour
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Modern barns for LAYER HENS, DAIRY COWS, TURKEYS, POULTRY, SHEEP and HOGS.
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Large Animal Barn Foundation
Our New Barn Is Painted Red!
What else is planned?​
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Our entire facility will be barrier free, inclusive, following the standards for Universal Design and utilizing adaptive equipment from the Rifton Company… welcoming people of all ages and all abilities.
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Our 4+ acre Woodlot will include an accessible walkway to a Giant Treehouse.
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Welcome Center and meeting place including a farm store, Farmer's Hall, an all-purpose room, and our "Wall of Honor" recognizing our supporters.
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Bunkhouses for groups and families for weekend stays and farm camps.
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Other Goals?
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• Our new rabbit room offers more space for rabbits to be out of the cages with you. Indoor pens and tables along with outdoor pens will be a favorite, so we are making the room king sized!
• Critter Barn’s future Country Farmhouse and Event Center will offer a venue for catering, receptions, conferences or any size meeting from 10 to 250 people.
• Critter Barn’s Preschool building will be a hub of activity for over 3,000 preschool children annually, through our rotational program for local schools. Our facility will also offer local schools unique opportunities for long -term study for students at all grade levels.
Future Rabbit Room
Large Animal Barn Washroom
Clean hands... Absolutely!
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At the new farm, you'll be able to wash your hands at multiple "giant" sinks located in many buildings.
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Our new barns will have heated restrooms, wider hallways, larger rooms inside for visiting animals and larger classrooms for groups. There will also be more room for animals, inside and out, including pastures for grazing.
Click on any image below to open a larger view.
