review of: Wagner Farm
(1 of 1 review)

1510 Wagner Road, Glenview, IL
847-657-1506

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web site:
http://www.wagnerfarm.org

category:		activities
recommended for:		toddlers,pre-school,elementary,tweens
cost:		inexpensive
keywords:		farm, chicago, glenview, animals
photos:

For a wonderful, outdoor, fresh-air experience in the Chicago area, visit Glenview's Wagner Farm. This is a gem of a historic, working farm where cows still roam the prairie and roosters crow at the crack of dawn.

Wagner was the last working farm in the northern suburbs until the village of Glenview purchased the 18 acre parcel from the Wagner family estate in 1997. The village has since run it as a living museum, where visitors can learn about life on a farm in the midwest.

The farm includes a Milking Lab and Parlor, with milking demonstrations. There is also a Milk Lab Viewing area. I brought my girl scout troop one day and they got a kick out of the simple (mechanical) milking process! They were allowed to enter and watch up close.

The Greenhouse features demonstrations of common farm crops and the Equipment Exhibit area illustrates how mechanization changed farming into a commercial industry.
Going to Wagner Farm on a typical day is interesting. But, attending on a special events day can be dare I say – educational -- for urban and suburban children who don't get much chance to be in a farm environment with live farm animals.

There are a number of events Wagner sponsors each year. From weekly farmer's markets during the spring and summer months to an Easter egg hunt, barnyard dance and ice cream social, Autumn's Harvest Bonfire and Corn Harvest Festival and the day that we recently attended, Build Your Own Scarecrow.

It was $5 per scarecrow. We brought clothing from home (we made four – a 'dad', 'mom' and two 'babies' using our own old clothing). My two daughters, ages 10 and 8, really enjoyed stuffing the clothing with hay. They were thrilled with the results (see photo).

We also were able to enjoy the grounds, museum and gift shop during the free event.
The farm also hosts educational programs, from how to groom, dress and ride Wagner's Belgian draft horses, to learning – and doing – farm chores. They also offer a family overnight, where families stay in the barn for the night, listening to the radio and playing parlor games. The next day participants make the lunch meal and do chores around the farm.

There are group programs as well – such as: "Milking cows and pulling plows" where participants learn and practice basic farming chores, such as caring for the animals – feeding, grooming, collecting eggs, milking cows, and harnessing horses. "Moo-ing about the Farm!" where pre-school – 1st graders can interact with the animals and learn how to grind corn, feed chickens, pump water for the cows and make and sample some homemade butter.

Wagner Farm offers a host of unusual activities for our post-suburban lifestyle and it's a real gem and treat that we have this resource so close by!

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