Haute Goat
1166 Fifth Line, Port Hope
905-447-3788
hautegoat.com
Discover more about rural life at Haute Goat Farm where the leading players are the goats, alpacas and horses. Pre-book a visit, or an overnight stay, to include one of the unique experiences here.
Shmurgle or Knuffle Shuffle
Try one of their creative farm experiences such as the Goat Shmurgle. This involves snuggles with a herd of Nigerian dwarf goats led by goat herder and owner Debbie Nightingale, who runs the 200-acre farm (81 ha) with partner Shain Jaffe. Or meet the herd of Huacaya alpacas and take one for a stroll. The farm’s Alpaca Knuffle Shuffle offers the opportunity to meet, harness and walk with an “alpaca partner” on a tour of some of the farm’s beautiful fields. Haute Goat’s farm store offers a variety of farm-made and goat-inspired merchandise. Haute Goat’s Screaming Goat Café is open most days for light lunches and light fare, also proudly serving local, craft beverages.
Overnight Stay in a Yome
Haute Goat also has a variety of overnight experiences to choose from. There's a cozy, one-room "yome" – a modern combination of a yurt and a dome. Nestled into a grove of trees, yome accommodations offer a queen-sized bed and electric heat. Or try the Alpaca Sleepover. This rustic experience will have you sleeping in a winterized bunkie within the alpaca enclosure. You can drift into dreamland along with the herd and wake with the crows of the roosters to enjoy a farm-style breakfast.
Find out about day-long workshops here, such as being Farmer for a Day, or learning the first things about goat keeping (Goat Keeping 101).
(Due to the nature of this experience, please leave your pets at home, or in the care of others.)
Old Mill Alpacas
13557 Little Lake Rd, Colborne
905-269-4402
oldmillalpapcas.com
Book a tour or trek at Old Mill Alpacas to interact with these often-shy, long-necked, curly-topped animals. Located between Brighton and Colborne, life is good for the alpacas here. A visit to Old Mill can allow you to slow down and enjoy the natural pace of life here.
Year-Round Adventures
It's engaging to see these distant members of the llama family at any time of the year, but winter is the season when the alpacas here are at what the staff at Old Mill Alpacas call their “floofiest.” In springtime, the alpacas are sheared so that they’re able to keep cool during the warmer months. By the time winter arrives, the alpacas are once again sporting their soft, full, coats of curls. Harvested in the spring shearing, the alpaca wool is gently processed in the on-site woollen mill to make yarn and fibres. The result is something local, sustainable, hypoallergenic, and more insulating than sheep’s wool. The farm’s store is full of alpaca fibre products made on site – beautiful hand-knits, felted handcrafts and warm felt insoles.
Farm Trek or Trek-and-Tour
Old Mill Alpacas offers their farm tour – or a trek-and-tour combination, where you can stroll with an alpaca, feed apples to the herd in a paddock, and view the whole farm. One strong testament to good care here might be the disposition of the alpacas: gentle and welcoming to visitors. And education is a big part of Old Mill’s mission. You’ll be amazed by how much there is to know about these appealing animals.
(Due to the nature of this experience, please leave your pets at home, or in the care of others.)
PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary
1296 Bowmanton Rd, Roseneath
905-352-2772
primrosedonkeysanctuary.com
Visit rescued and rehabilitated donkeys to see nurturing at its best in the rolling pastures near Roseneath. PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary is open for curbside visits Thursdays and Sundays 1pm -3 pm. Personal tours can be booked in advance, with tours scheduled Thursdays and Sundays between 11am and 12 pm.
Donkey Love
You’ll find out about the farm’s amazing animals and the sanctuary. Founder and proprietor Sheila Burns works with 25 volunteers. They are dedicated to the rescue, protection and rehabilitation of abused, neglected and unwanted donkeys, mules and hinnies. The PrimRose staff provide lifesaving care and make every effort to help animals recover from physical and mental abuse where needed, or provide a home in cases where owners are unable or unwilling to provide care. The sanctuary also provides an "information hoof-way” to educate the public that donkeys are not stubborn, dumb or vicious animals, but stoic, loyal and intelligent, often risking their lives to protect others. (Thinking of a curbside visit or tour? Please visit the directions page here since GPS systems for this rural location are not always accurate.)
Help a Donkey
Donations are gratefully accepted at the front gate donation box, or by other means. PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary is a registered charity. Tax receipts are available. Donations are used to help with veterinary care, hoof care, food and supplies for the sanctuary.
(Due to the nature of this experience, please leave your pets at home, or in the care of others.)
Promised Land Animal Sanctuary
1969 Burnbrae Rd E, Campbellford
705-977-6897
promisedlandsanctuary.org
Experience life at Promised Land Animal Sanctuary, dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating farm and domestic animals – giving them a better life, either on the farm here or by finding them forever homes. Stays are also available at the farm house with bed, yoga and vegan breakfast weekend stays.
Meet a new Friend
Set on a century farm, near Campbellford, this 90-minute experience will bring you up-close to this community of rescues. Once here, you will be touched by each animal's individual rescue history, and have your own unforgettable tales to tell. Try a hands-on grooming session with donkey Hummer or mini ponies Polly and Wally, plus any other animal who feels like getting some extra love. (NOTE: There are three dogs on the property, of all different sizes. They are very energetic and will bark and try to kiss you when you first arrive. This note is for parents with young children or visitors who are not used to being around dogs.)
The Three Little Pigs and More
Donations, and tours such as the above, support the sanctuary. One example of the type of work done by Kat Krylov (the founder of Promised Land) is the care given for Lily the pig, a survivor of domestic violence. One of the efforts is to help Lily care for her three little pigs, Gordie, Pudgy and Pooh Bear. They lost their home when Lily left her abuser. Lily and these three offspring have been sheltered on Kat's farm to receive medication to control their symptoms and pain. For timely updates on the farm's inhabitants you can check posts on their facebook page here.
(Due to the nature of this experience, please leave your pets at home, or in the care of others.)
For more ways to enjoy farms and agricultural experience in Northumberland County, check out the listing on our Business Directory.
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