This place is a definite go to spot for the family when in the Stevens Point area. The one aspect of the farm that stood out the most to us was how family oriented this place is. Ken and Jackie Feltz's run the dairy, the tours, and the store with their family. Helping run the operation is their son Jared and his wife Jenna, their daughter Taryn, and their son Jake. Along with that they also have others working with them to make sure everything runs as smooth as possible.
Farming isn't anything new to this family. The farm's been in the family for over 100 years, with Ken and Jackie being the fifth generation to run the farm.
When you get to Feltz's Dairy Store you can get just about anything and everything you'll need from Wisconsin in the store from cheese curds to Steven's Point beer. What more could you need?
The tours are where things get really good. The tour of the farm gives you a first hand look at where your milk is coming from, but that's not all. They use a higher technology than the average farm. Feltz's use robots to milk a portion of their cows on the farm. You get the chance to see exactly how these robots do their thing once you get on the ground floor of the dairy.
It's very cool to see these machines in action. That's not all though, there's also a petting zoo with everything from goats to a pot belly pig, along with a first hand look at the rest of the facility.
The farm does tours Monday through Saturday, with Saturday being the day for walk-in tours. This is great for school groups and also just a neat thing to do with the family on a Saturday.
We definitely think you should check it out!
3.
Roden Barnyard Adventures, LLC
Heading over to the West Bend area, Roden is a different take on the average farm tour because not only do they offer farm tours for the family but they also offer
Summer camps
! This is something that most places don't do, but it's cool that these guys will. One other aspect of the farm that makes them stand out from the rest is the hands on part of the experience.
Farmer Jacki, who runs the tours and is the owner, she wants kids to get the full experience and know what it's like to take care of the animals on the farm. You get a look into the daily tasks of a farmer. You'll be able to feed one of the calves a bottle, along with doing some other chores on the farm to help out!
The farm also offers a petting zoo with a donkey….fittingly named Donkey, goats, pigs, and some chickens. We chose this farm because of the uniqueness of not only the family tour, but also giving kids that full experience with the camps too.
Coming in at number two is Mulberry Lane Farm. This place was a blast to check out!
Located between Sherwood and Hilbert, the farm has a lot to offer. Not only can the kids have a good time, but adults love this place too. Each farm on this bucket list has something special about them and something that stands out.
This place is the all in experience. You can milk a cow, feed the animals, and do it all. The one thing that really brought us to this farm is that it's not a “petting zoo”, it's really a petting farm. We say that because it's not like you just go look at the animals behind a fence, you actually get to go in by them and hang out with them.
Most places don't let you do that and that's what makes this place number two on our list for the Summer. The farm also has basically every farm animal you can think of.
The obvious ones like cattle and kittens, but also pigs, ducklings, baby chicks, baby goats, sheep, a peacock, and even guinea hens. This is a place where you won't be disappointed.
1.
The Farm
Off to Door County for this one. Our top pick for a place to bring the family this Summer is The Farm. Simple name with a throwback feel once you walk into the farm. This place is everything you would want in a farm experience. The cool part about The Farm is that it's not your average farm tour. It's more of a “do it yourself” place where you can go check out whatever you want.
From the moment you walk in, you'll be surrounded with baby goats and lambs running up to you hoping that you're bringing them a bottle. Basically every little kids dream day at the farm, and not to mention that it's pretty cool for the adults too, not gonna lie.
How can you be mad at that face staring at you? The Farm's actually pretty big, between all of the actual barns that they have with different animals in them, they also have a walking trail.
This is our number one pick, not just because it's worth the drive to Door County, but because of the whole feel that you get when you walk in. Honestly, using the term “throwback” is probably the best way to describe it. You walk in and you forget that you're in Door County, it's almost feels like it's own little world.
This place has a deep history and you get the chance to learn all about the past of agriculture. This is for sure a different take on tourism. The Farm is a place where the kids can have a blast with all of the animals and feeding them and so can the adults. Also, the adults will get a kick out of the history of the buildings and the walking trail. It's a great mix between petting zoo and museum, where everyone can find something they like.
Agriculture is a huge part of our state and we encourage everyone to be supporting our farmers. These are just a few of the awesome places that teach kids and adults about where their food comes from and gives them a taste of how a farm runs. The more people we can share the farming story with, the better.
Even though most people are completely separated from the ag world now, it's important that we keep sharing the story of farmers. We think you should try to get out with the family this season and see some of these great Wisconsin farms. Let us know if there's anywhere else we need to check out!
