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Saturday, May 18
Another litter of piglets to report. Cookie, our Belted sow delievered a healthy litter yesterday morning. The last little guy was born right around noon on Friday.
Mama keeps a close watch on her new babies
Saturday, May 11
Sugar delivered a healthy litter of piglets late Friday/early Saturday, all are doing just fine; stop out and see all the Spring babies.
We also have a group of young turkeys, called Poults, that were just hateched on May 6th.
And finally, Carmel, our Nubian goat, has picked up some bad, yet enteraining habbits. Goats love maple leaves, but they're just so hard to reach in the Spring.
Don't encourage her...
Thursday, May 9
The students from Commerce Elementary School had a fundraiser and donated the money to the Farm Center. We had lost the bee hive in our pumpkin patch due to disease and have decided to use the funds to buy a new hive. During a field trip to the Farm the kids learned how essential bee's are to pollination of fruits and vegetables.
Tuesday, May 7
Wow a lot can happen in a month ! Carmel our Nubian goat delivered triplet "kid's" on April 10. This was followed by Poppy another Nubian goat delivered twin "kid's" on April 14. Molly our last expectant sheep delivered twin lambs April 25th. Hannah one of our sows delivered piglets this past Friday. I almost forgot to mention we had nearly 3,000 visitors come by for the "Spring Festival" here at the Farm on April 27 & 28th.
Tuesday, April 2
"Rosebud" our Alpine goat, put on quite a show, delivering twin kids in front of a packed barn full of people. The babies are named "Al & Eleanor", this photo was taken when they were less than two hours old.
Saturday, March 30
"Pearl" a Yorkshire sow delivered her very first litter of piglets today! We are especially proud of her, she (Pearl) was born here at the Farm and was the runt of the litter and had to be bottle fed.
Friday, March 29
"Inez" our other Nigerian Dwarf goat delivered a single "kid" in front of a group of approximately 50 people visiting the Farm today. Mother and daughter (we have named Chloe) are doing fine and are on display in the main barn.
Thursday, March 28
Young and old alike had a great time at the "Fun on the Farm" egg hunt here at the Farm. This is just a prelude to "The Great Egg Hunt" taking place at Maple Beach this Saturday, March 30 th. The egg hunt starts promptly at 11 am; Farmer John will be doing an animal show before and after the hunt so come early or stick around after words.
Wednesday, March 6
Yes, another new birth to announce, "Candy" a Chevoit ewe delivered twin lambs during our lunch break today.
Tuesday, March 5
They keep coming, babies, that is ! "Cookie" one of our Nigerian Dwarf goats had twin kids (girls) today. They are about the size of a red squirrel, they don't come any more cute than these two.
Monday, March 4
Well "March Madness" continues here at The Farm, "Ruby" one of our sow delivered her first litter of piglets, all are doing fine. Later today "Izzie" one of our ewes delivered her first lamb.
Sunday, March 3
Talk about a busy day couple of days here at the Farm Center!
We literally have a barn full of babies here! Two sets of twins were born Friday, and (are you ready for this?) two more sets of twins were born today!
"Don't I have some adorable babies?" asks Laney
But of course Carol feels hers are the cutest!
No Matter who the mama is, all the lambs are cuties and are expecting your visit!
Laney and Carol delivered on Friday and Claudia and Snowflake delivered today. All four mamas delivered healthy twins. We will be posting more pictures shortly.
On top of all that, Maple's Sweet Story is in full swing. We had a lot of people come out to visit our sugarbush and see the syrup making process from start to finish. We even got a little bit of sap today! Weather conditions are looking ideal for the next few days so be sure to come out this coming weekend and see our Maple Sugaring demonstrations!
Saturday, March 2
Today kicks off our maple season here at The Farm Center ! Weekends in March we run tours of our maple sugaring operation: starting with tapping a tree, followed by a visit to the sugar shack to see sap boiled into syrup, and finally a visit to an Algonquin sugar camp to see how the Native Americans used sap. Tours start at noon and run every half hour, the last tour leaves at 2:30; $3/child and $5/adult.
Friday, March 1
The staff had shifted animals around in order to make room to move Carol, one of our expectant ewes, into the main barn. Good thing we did, she delivered twin lambs early this morning. While feeding the animals outside of the main barn we discovered that Laney had also delivered twin Lambs this morning ! Talk about March coming in like a lamb, we'll have to wait and see if it goes out like a lion.
Monday, February 17th
Hi!
We have two new arrivals here at the Farm Center. On Saturday, both of our Jacob's Sheep delivered almost at the same time! Both delivered healthy baby boys!
Abby, a fused four-horned Jacob delivered early Saturday morning, while her sister, Emma, a true four-horned Jacob delivered shortly afterwards. All are doing very well in our lower barn! Be sure to come out and visit them
Abby and her lamb!
Emma and her lamb!
Jacob's sheep are one of the oldest and most unique breeds in the world, dating back to antiquity. They are known for their multi-colored fleeces and unique horns. Both lambs appear to be taking after their mothers in appearance.
Sunday, February 3
The brief thaw last week did not allow enough ice to form on the river at the Farm Center to safely cut ice during the Farm's "Ice Harvesting Demonstration". So, the staff cut blocks (8 inches thick!) from the lake near the E. Boat Launch within the Park and moved them to the Farm. A sawing station was set-up to allow visitors to try using an ice saw along with other tools used during an ice harvest. A light snow continued to fall during the event which set the stage for the demonstration being presented.
Tuesday, January 29
Well it finally happened ! We had been patiently waiting for Mona to deliver, she had seemed to be uncomfortable for sometime, then finally this morning she delivered. Maybe she was waiting for weather to change or maybe it was the fact that she was carrying triplets !!! All are doing well (one girl, two boys) and on display in the main barn.
Wednesday, January 23
Isabelle delivered twins this morning (a boy and a girl) and just like last year she had a white lamb and a black lamb.
Tuesday, January 22
Well it was 4 degrees below zero when the staff arrived at The Farm Center this morning! While trying to find the silver lining in that statement, we came up with the fact that our "Ice Harvesting Demonstration" is just 11 days away.
This weather will continue to thicken the ice at The Farm, hopefully to a depth of at least 6 inches which will allow us to cut on the river. We always manage to have some ice for the public to saw, it is just a matter of where it came from. If not on the river, we will cut ice elsewhere in the park and set up a sawing station at the farm for people to try.
If you are looking for a reason to get outside, have some fun, and maybe learn about what life was like 100 years ago come out to " Ice Harvesting" Feb. 2 & 3. No reservations needed, this "free" demonstration is from 1 to 3 Saturday & Sunday.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
It's a girl !!! Maureen, our Merino sheep, delivered the first lamb of the new year. Stop out and see her along with many of the newborn piglets.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Hi!
Opal, our latest sow to move into the barn, delighted farm visitors yesterday afternoon by delivering her litter in front of an audience. Here are pictures of a few of them. To see the rest, come out to the farm and visit them. (You'll also want to look at how big the other piglets born this month have gotten!)
Cozy in a warm barn.
So new, she still has her umbilical cord.
Friday, December 21
Nice to have snow for the first day of winter. We invite everyone out to visit the farm during the holidays. The farm will be running hayrides everyday between Christmas and New Year's
(December 26 thru January 1). Weather permitting, we will run our horse-drawn sleigh (we need a 6-8 inch base of snow) call the park office to verify.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
FROM THE FARM STAFF
Tuesday, December 18
Pig-lovers, you're in luck! As of yesterday afternoon, our fourth pregnant sow, Dora, was moved into the warmth of the barn where she promptly delivered her babies. Dora had a beautiful large litter asleep in the pen with her this morning when the farm crew started their day. So, if you like pigs, come to the Kensington Farm and you will be in hog-heaven! (Pun intended.)
Dora's Beautiful Bunch: How many do you see?
Tuesday, December 11
We arrived this morning to find yet another litter of piglets had been born, probably early today. "Cookie" our Hampshire sow is a seasoned pro, having delivered four other litters in the last two years.
Friday, December 7th
What a busy and exciting morning here on the farm! We have not one, but two new births to announce!
Yesterday, our Holstein cow April delivered a healthy baby girl! We have named the calf Noel to celebrate the holiday season! Then today Hannah one of our Yorkshire sows delivered a litter of piglets.
Noel is already getting around very well and isn't wobbly at all when she walks. She even decided to take a stroll around the barn today!
Noel, taking a much needed break from being cute
Noel gets a bath from her mom April
Holstein cows are one of the most common dairy cows in Michigan. They are very good milking cows and produce more milk than any other breed. At their peak, Holstein cows can produce up to 12 gallons a day!
Saturday. November 17
We have a special announcement here at the Farm Center!
Sugar, one of our Yorkshire Pigs went into labor this afternoon, right around 12:30. As of this writing, she has delivered a few healthy piglets, and we are expecting more. Labor is going very smoothly, and all of the piglets are doing just fine. Be sure to come out and see them. Its been quite a while since we had piglets born on the farm.
These piglets are less than an hour old
But they are already curious about their surroundings!
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Being born is a lot of work. I think a nap is in order
The delivery is attracting quite the crowd!
Friday, November 16
We had a pleasant surprise this morning, while walking up from the barn we noticed there was a bald eagle perched above the Farm Office enjoying the sunshine.
Monday, November 12
Kensington Farm Center recently received a donation in the form of a new draft horse. Yoder, a 10 year-old Percheron gelding, will be helping us out for the next few months during our busy hayride and sleighride season.
Yoder joins our five other draft horses here at the farm center. Yoder is a color known as dapple grey, which is mostly white with some black and grey markings. He is very, very large, standing at nearly 20 hands tall! He is already adjusting to his new home and will soon be working with our other horses. Be sure to come out and see him.
Our newest draft horse, Yoder.
Friday, October 5
If you have not been out to "The Farm" in a while the Fall colors have kicked into gear and pumpkin sales have begun. This weekend is our "Fall Festival" with a variety of activities and demonstrations. This is also the perfect time of year to come out and enjoy a hayride.
Tuesday, August 28
Well Piccolo has a roommate! Drifter a miniature donkey was donated by Lester and Linda Sutherland of Saline. Drifter joins Piccolo our other miniature donkey, also donated by the Sutherland's.
Friday, August 10
A new donation came in the form of a Shire Draft Horse by the name of "Mary". We are hoping she will work into pulling hayrides on the weekends. She will join Jet, Rex, Charlie and Max if all goes well during our busy October hayride season.
Thursday, August 9
John Beemer was out to check on the hives located in our pumpkin patch. The pumpkins are doing better due to the bee activity and recent changes in the weather.
Sunday, July 22
Opal our newest sow gave birth to her first litter of piglets early this morning, all are resting comfortably in the main barn.
Tuesday, July 17
Greta gave birth to a healthy boy this morning we have named "Simon". Good thing she delivered early this morning because we may hit triple digit temperatures this afternoon. By the way "Greta" is one of our Brown Swiss cows (mother of Gretchen and grandma of Beau, born May 29, 2012).
Friday, July 13
With the weather being what it is, we are doing all we can to ensure a good pumpkin crop. Last week we imported some bee hives to help with pollination, they seem to like their new home (I know what you're saying, how can you tell if a bee is happy?)
 
Tuesday, July 10
Sarah Frank stopped by to help give some of our goats a summer haircut. Kids participating in our "Farmer for a Day" Program were full of questions. Nobody took her up on a offer for a free haircut.
Friday, June 29
Now that it's been a week since "Farm Camp" ended I am just getting a chance to post some pictures. The campers had a great time despite record high temperatures. We kept them moving with a variety of activities as the pictures will show.
 
 
 
Tuesday, May 29
The Farm staff as well as visitors have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Gretchen's calf. The wait is over, Gretchen delivered a healthy bull calf this morning. He is now in the main cow barn for public viewing.
Wednesday, May 23
Time is running out to get your child enrolled in The Farm Center's "Farm Camp" happening June 19 - 22nd. This 4 day camp offers kids 8 to 13 the opportunity to discover the wonders of life on the farm. Every day offers a new adventure. Pre-registration is required.
 
Friday, May 4
Tot Spot Preschool from Brighton was out for a farm tour and got more than they had expected. Cookie our Hampshire sow started delivering piglets while the children were in the barn. Although it was a relatively small litter there sure is alot of color !
Sunday, April 29
What a difference a day makes, Saturday during our "Spring Festival" attendance was light despite the fact that it never actually rained at the Farm. Sunday, wow...... everyone was out enjoying the nice weather and all the activities here at the Farm.
Tuesday, April 10
Despite the springtime snow showers, two of our expectant mamas decided today was a good day to give birth outside. Appropriately enough, Snowflake started the morning by having twin lambs, both boys. Then Sugar surprised everyone by having 7 piglets outside, too. All of the families have been moved into the warmth of the main barn. Come on out and visit them!
Snowflake's sleepy boys
Sugar's 7
Saturday, April 7
WOW !!! what a great day for an egg hunt. The beautiful weather an ideal setting brought more than just a few folks out to our annual " The Great Egg Hunt " held at Maple Beach. The Easter Bunny was the star of the show, but Farmer John and his animals kept the crowd entertained before and after the hunt.
Friday, April 6
Gloria delivered twin lambs (a boy and a girl) in front of a group of visitors in our main barn. She started a @ 12:30 and was done by 1:00 pm, all are resting comfortably in the barn.
Friday, March 30
The Farm purchased a new Saanen goat named "Gracie" who was born the same day as Rosebud's kid (see below). Because of her age we are bottle raising her and Rosebud has somewhat adopted her.
Thursday, March 29
Carmel our Nubian doe delivered twin kids mid-day in our goat barn. We have named the girls "Zinnia" and "Dahlia".
Tuesday, March 13
March madness continues, Carol another one of our ewes delivered a single lamb this morning, our flock continues to grow !
Saturday, March 10
Laney one of our ewes, interrupted our "Maple Program" by going into labor, delivering a set of twins in front of a crowd of people.
Sunday, March 4
Talk about a busy morning ! We had received a call that our doe Rosebud had delivered a kid (baby goat) while at still at the breeders. While driving back with Rosebud and daughter in the truck we received a call that Dora our new sow was delivering piglets. We assisted in delivering the rest of the litter just in time to begin our "Maple's Sweet Story" program. Our maple syrup program will continue on the weekends for the month of March.
Saturday, February 25
The Farm staff was pleased to find the first lambs of the year had arrived ! Isabelle (mom) had delivered twin lambs (girls) early this morning. We have named them "Laverne and Shirley" both are doing well, come out and see for yourself !
Monday, February 13
The "Daddy Daughter Dance" was a rousing success! Tickets sold-out the week before the dance and all who attended had a great time. The popularity of this event continues to grow, it's all about having fun with your kids.
Monday, January 23
The Daddy Daughter Dance is just over two weeks away, tickets are still available, don't wait till the last minute. The dance is February 11 at 7 pm here at the Farm Center in the upper barn. Tickets are $5 per person, available at the Park Office or the Farm Center Office.
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