It’s a small slice of country on the edge of the city.
And at Southlands Heritage Farm, that small slice packs a whole lot of experiences.
Until the end of October, you can wander through a pumpkin patch and pick out what pumpkin you’d like to bring home for Halloween.
You can feed the chickens and pet a goat.
During a recent visit, farrier Constance Egolf was hammering out new shoes for Teddy the therapy horse, who stood calmly by as the smoke rose from his hoof as Egolf made sure the fit was just right.
Volunteers are always needed to help with some of the tasks around the farm, including mucking out the stables. (Now that will give you a real whiff of country air.) “Just ask a farmer what needs doing,” the website says.
The pumpkins are replenished regularly. They were either grown on site or come from Westham Island Herb farm. It’s $5 per pumpkin.
Southlands Heritage Farm is open every day in October:
• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends
Since the farm sells what it grows at its farmer’s market on Saturdays, people are asked not to pick anything aside from their favourite pumpkin.
Admission is by donation. The farm is at 6767 Balaclava Street at West 51st and is accessible by the #49 bus on Translink.
For more information about this “farming oasis in the city,” go to SouthlandsFarm.ca.
