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Critter Barn Educational Farm - Hands-on Learning at a Real Farm!

Critter Barn’s New Farm is on a 36-acre parcel in Zeeland Township. Our current farm is on 3 acres and has welcomed the public to learn about farming for 32 years. We have been working on building our new farm since 2017 when our Capital Campaign of $7.4ML began. Barns, roads, some infrastructure, water to pastures and more are still to be completed, while 9 structures are being built and some roads, the retention pond, groundwork, and landscaping are in progress. $3.7ML has been raised to date. 

 

We anticipate our attendance at the new farm to reach 250,000 people annually. 

 

The Critter Barn’s new farm will include: 

 

1) Traditional Barns for hands-on, interactive learning. They are buildings that remind us of our heritage and encourage up-close and personal experiences with friendly farm animals. 

2) Modern Production Model Barns that show state-of-the-art management of production turkeys, broiler chickens, laying hens with a cage-free system, hogs raised from sows in gestation, to farrowing and wean-to-finish, all behind glass windows for biosecurity.  There will be dairy cows in a free-stall system with a milking demonstration area, along with a lambing barn and hoop barn for sheep. (FFA students will assist) 

3) Community Buildings including an event center, welcome barn (store, resource room, all-purpose room, areas for eating and meeting), a mill for making flour, farm house (teaching kitchen, meeting rooms, housing for interns and a farm manager), and bunkhouses for overnight stays for groups, school class trips, and FFA students. 

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Accessibility: Our new facility and grounds are being shaped by Global Universal Design guidelines. We’re adding adaptive equipment from the Rifton Company, and inclusive playground equipment from Game Time. This is in line with our goal that people of all ages and all abilities may visit and fully experience and enjoy the farm. Critter Barn will be the first facility of its kind in the country to combine all of these benefits for persons with disabilities and paralysis.

           “The founders of the Critter Barn were truly pioneers in showcasing rural life and livelihoods in the community…. bringing an innovative vision into action long before agritourism was “a thing.” Since 1984, the Critter Barn has evolved into a thriving campus where thousands of visitors experience hands-on learning and inspiration each year. With a guiding mandate to inspire learning, volunteerism, inclusion, and shared values, the employees, guest workers and visitors of Critter Barn take special care to engage children and young people in discovering the miracles of nature found at the farm. Staff members recall some of the most rewarding moments... when exhausted young volunteers or Critter camp attendees have to go home… and agree only after announcing, “This has been the best day of my life.” 

-Laurel Mann, Ceres Solutions Cooperative

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Critter Barn’s 32-year history of teaching includes: 

  • Students from Baker Community College’s Vet Tech program 

  • FFA students from the Ottawa County ISD, Tony McCaul’s classes 

  • 7,000 school-age children who attend classes, camps, and field trips annually 

  • Preschool children and toddlers enjoying first time experiences 

  • Barnyard Crew: volunteer program for children, youth, and adults who have special needs and benefit from a one-on-one coach. 

  • Critter Crew: volunteer program for children ages 8 to 15 and a prerequisite training program called Critter Camp. Children are mentored daily as they learn animal care skills. There are over 400 students on the “active roster” each year. 

  • Hosting community volunteer groups 

  • Outreach to retirement and nursing home facilities 

  • Planting seeds in the hearts of kids to consider pursuing careers in the agricultural sector, join FFA, pursue higher education in Animal Science, Education, or Ag. 

 

Critter Barn partners with a variety of organizations: Children's Advocacy Center, USDA/Aphis, Ottawa County Farm Bureau, Allegan County Farm Bureau, Lori’s Voice, Ottawa Area Center, Michigan Allied Poultry, John Ball Zoo, Baker College Vet Tech Program, Michigan Agribusiness Association, West Michigan Tourist Association, Michigan Agritourism Association, United Dairy Industries of Michigan, Michigan Sheep Producers Association. 

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