New Farm

Why Build?

Our purpose is clear... we are called to serve children and young people of West Michigan and beyond through a working farm that provides hands-on experiences of learning and inspiration!

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What's our Goal ?

Build an authentic teaching farm
Provide hands-on education and real farm experiences
Serve everyone through Universal Design and Adaptive Equipment
Inspire people of all ages and all abilities

SITE PLAN

PHASE 1 is complete!

Our site resembles a traditional farm of the 20th century with main barns and outbuildings. Traditional Barns are the core of our Hands-On program for guests and students.

Barns include:
- Main Barn
- Poultry Barn
- Boer Goat Barn
- Small Goat Barn
- Duck Barn
- Pot Belly Pig Barn
- Chicken Coop
- Sheep Barn
- Buck and Ram Barn

Our new barns have heated restrooms, wider hallways, larger rooms inside for visiting animals and larger classrooms for groups. There will also be more room for animals, inside and out, including pastures for grazing.

New Farm Aerial View

Enjoy our Traditional Barns

What else is planned?

Our 4+ acre Woodlot will include an accessible pathway to a giant treehouse built by The Vermont Treehouse Guys LLC.

Welcome Center and meeting place including a farm store, Farmer’s Hall, an all-purpose room, hospitality room to accommodate persons with disabilities, and our “Wall of Honor” recognizing our supporters.

Critter Barn’s future Country Farmhouse and Event Center will offer a venue for receptions, conferences, or any size meetings from 10 to 250 people.

Modern production barns for layer hens, dairy cows, turkeys, poultry, sheep, hogs, and the story of grains.

Accessible For All!

Universal Design is the idea that our farm campus is created in a way that makes it usable by a diverse range of people. The Critter Barn leadership in continuing its quest for creating facilities that are more accessible by moving to compliance with Universal Design principles.

Game Time is the designer of Critter Barn’s Playground Equipment: our new inclusive, barrier-free play structures will enable all children to play alongside each other. This will enhance our farm’s experiences and allow for recreational activity…an excellent way for parents and grandparents to spend quality family time together with their kids.

Our new barns are connected by paved concrete sidewalks that continue through each barn for ease of use for everyone. Signage is clear and simple, black and white.

Because of the generosity of our donors, children and adults who have a disability and who are accustomed to using adaptive equipment by Rifton... your visit just became more enjoyable!

We have activity chairs with trays and tricycles with supports for getting around the farm. For more information click the disability tab on the home page.

Making Memories

Clean hands... Absolutely!

You’ll be able to wash your hands at multiple “giant” sinks located in many buildings. Additional portable sinks are located conveniently around the farm.

Critter Barn partners with the Ottawa County Dept. of Public Health to help assure conditions that promote and protect health and well-being at Critter Barn.