About Befriend the Barnyard at Appleton Farms
Discover our special barnyard animals! Visit with our Angora rabbits, Nubian goats, dairy cows, beef cattle, pigs, sheep and our friendly flock of heritage chickens and ducks. This friendly (and often very curious!) crew of animals will take center stage as we learn about what makes them so unique.
Befriend the Barnyard is a hands-on barnyard learning experience that allows you and your family to approach our barnyard buddies under the guidance of a professional farm-based educator. You will get to meet our animals while learning about livestock, what it’s like to care for animals on a farm, our historic barn buildings and all about what we do at Appleton Farms.
Your experience might include:
- Brushing or petting the Angora rabbits or carding or spinning wool
- Collecting eggs from the chicken coop
- Brushing the goats in their pasture
- Observing the the cows in their pasture
- Collecting treats from the garden for our animals
- Meeting a variety of production livestock animals
- Learning about how we raise animals for food
Note: These activities may change depending on: participation group size/age, season, weather, and the mood/temperament of our animals.
This program is for all ages and is intented to engage children with their families. All children must be accompanied by an adult and tickets must be purchased for adults & children over 2 years old. It is held rain or shine.
Be sure to wear sneakers or other closed-toe shoes when you join us in the barnyard and dress for the weather of the day!
This program fills quickly and capacity is limited, advance registration is recommended.
This program is only canceled in extreme weather situations. You will receive notice if the program is canceled.
Pre-registration is required.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Program Refunds/Cancellations: In the event that a program is cancelled due to severe weather, low enrollment, or other circumstances, we will notify you as soon as possible by email and issue you a full refund within 14 days of the cancellation. If you cannot attend a program as planned, contact appletonfarms@thetrustees.org at least 7 days prior to the start of the program to receive a full refund or transfer to another date/class. Refunds and/or class transfers will not be granted for registration cancellations placed fewer than 7 days before the start of the program. There are no refunds for missed classes. Appleton Farms reserves the right to change program locations, schedules, or instructors when necessary.
- Directions Directions to the Farm: On 1A South, farm is about two miles south of downtown Ipswich. When you see Presbyterian Church on your right, it’s a little more than a quarter of a mile to the farm entrance, on your right. If you reach downtown Hamilton, you have gone too far. ON 1A North, farm is about four miles north of downtown Hamilton. When you see Entering Ipswich sign on your left, it’s about a quarter of a mile to the farm entrance, on your left. If you reach downtown Ipswich, you have gone too far.
- Where to park: Once you’ve turned off 1A and entered onto the Farm property, continue following the road and bear to the right at the fork, following signs for the Farm House/Offices.
