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A Family Farm Stay Vacation

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Farm Stay Updates:

Something new is always happening at Weatherbury Farm! 

Some great aerial views of Weatherbury Farm are now on-line, thanks to Kevin Sell, a Weatherbury Farm Jam  participant. Kevin brought these photos which he shot in October 2009 to our May 2010 jam.  It's these unexpected niceties that make being a farm vacation host a delight.

Our February 2010 Moos is now online in PDF format. To keep up with the freshest news from the farm, sign up for our email newsletter above.  (News from our February 2010 and March 2009 e-moos can be found below.)

Over 1280 children are now Weatherbury Farm Kids! Our Weatherbury Farm Kids Program is a great way for your children, grandchildren, nieces and/or nephews to learn about life on the farm.

One of the questions we get most often is "Are my children the right age for the farm?" The answer is that all children are the right age -- of course, different age groups take away different experiences from the farm. The most heard question from children is "Can't we stay just one more night?"

We are open from May 13 to Labor Day 2010 -- our 19th season! Our pool opens for the summer season on Memorial Day Weekend.

Check out what the media has to say about Weatherbury Farm.   You may also want to read about the awards we've received or available publications.

If you're interested in what's been happening on the farm in the past, our "Weatherbury Moos" for 2005, 2006, 2007 , 2008 and 2009 are now on-line in PDF format.

To keep up to date on farm news, sign up for our email newsletter above.  Below are a couple of e-newsletters we've sent out:

Here's the news from our "winter emoos" (emailed on February 19 2010)
 
bottle feeding

What's the best age to visit Weatherbury?

One of the most asked questions prospective guests ask is "is my child a good age to visit Weatherbury Farm?

So we though we would include some thank-you notes received from children this past summer:

"I love the farm The farm is the best place ever."  Age 5

"Dear Farmer Dale, I had so much fun on the farm and I'm glad that you do this for children." Age 8

"Dear Farmer Dale, Thank you for letting me do the chores in the morning. Also thank you for giving me my certificate at breakfast. I hope I can come back." Age 9

"Dear Tudor Family, Thanks for a wonderful farm vacation! I enjoyed it a lot? I had fun taking care of the animals. Thanks again!" Age 9

"Thanks, Tudor Family, for an Amazing farm vacation! I had a blast! I am sure you will see me again at the farm soon!" Age 13

"Dear Farmer Dale, Marcy & Nigel, We had a wonderful time this weekend learning about the operation of your cattle farm and your daily morning chores. Thanks so much!" Age 14 & 15

One mother of a toddler told us that we should charge more for toddlers (!) as the sensory and experiential stimuli are invaluable.

You might also enjoy reading 3 1/2 year old Vania's journal of her visit to the farm (in PDF format).

 
Pool with new liner @ Weatherbury Farm


Farm Vacation Happenings

*The new pool liner was installed on Memorial Day 2009 and the pool proved to be a popular spot all summer, despite the cool temperatures (We had only 3 days over 90 degrees).

* Our plan to plant flowers and grains (amaranth and safflower) to attract beneficial insects not only worked reasonably well, but was gorgeous. Like many in the area we did lose most of our tomatoes to blight (but think we have a plan in place for this year) which was disappointing. However, toward summer's end it was wonderful to served everything in your garden eggs -- with everything coming from the farm garden.

* We've also replanted many of our ornamental gardens. (Now that the sheep & goats are no longer trimming the shrubs and perennials for us!)

*The Mews suite's garden theme was expanded with stenciling downstairs and a floral border upstairs.

 

 

Stencilling in Mews downstairs

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Here's the news from our "almost spring e-newsletter" (emailed on March 18 2009):
 
Winter on the Farm

We've had very cold and wintery weather on the farm this year.  In January there were only two days when it didn't snow!  As a result, we have been keeping busy with indoor projects.

In the past two weeks, there have been a couple of days of spring-like weather -- so out thoughts have turned to working outside.  Completing the livestock watering system is high on the list.  Work on that project came to an abrupt halt with the arrival of snow and frozen ground on December 9th.  When completed, the watering system will provide water for our cows as they rotationally graze the farm.

 

The Farm Garden in '09

The few days of recent spring-like weather have also started us thinking about our garden.  We've ordered the seeds and will be starting plants within the week.

Dale and Nigel have spread rock phosphate and lime on the garden beds. After applying compost, the beds will be rototilled awaiting the planting of early crops like potatoes and onions.

Our goal this year is to keep up with the weeds (!) and keep the goats out of the garden.  We are looking forward to another bountiful garden with fresh (organic) vegetables to use in our breakfast casseroles (along with our free-range eggs).

 

In the Barnyard

With spring just around the corner (hopefully) we are starting to see the arrival of baby lambs; baby calves will follow within a month or so.

Guests are invited to help Farmer Dale with chores every day after breakfast.  Our bottle baby lambs will certainly have guests ooh-in and aah-ing!

As Merino sheep were raised on the farm historically, we are adding to our herd.  A group of 6 ewes and a ram from a neighboring farm (a closed herd for 200 years) will be in the barnyard shortly.

 

 

We are open from May 13 - Labor Day.  Hope to see you on the farm soon!

 

Home       About Weatherbury Farm      Lodging       Activities       Media Accolades
Availability on line       Brochure     
News       Contact us

Sign up for our Newsletter

News:      What's New at the Farm       Awards       Publications     Green Tourism @ Weatherbury  

Weatherbury Farm All Natural Grass-Fed  Meats

Weatherbury Farm Vacation Bed and Breakfast
1061 Sugar Run Road
Avella, Pennsylvania 15312

phone: (724) 587-3763

email us !

(Our email address is info@weatherburyfarm.com and we do answer all emails -- if you don't hear back from us, either your email or our answer has been lost in cyber space.)

www.weatherburyfarm.com

a kid friendly family farm stay vacation destination; far from the madding crowd, in the country, just 45 minutes southwest of Pittsburgh, PA -- fun & educational

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