Autumn Fun at Upland Hills Farm

Written by: Amy Hammer, co-owner of Metro Detroit Doula Services, Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula, and CPPS

Fall is upon us and in Michigan that means fun with the family at cider mills, apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and farms to name a few.  Janice Rex-Weaver works at Upland Hills Farm in Oxford.  She does marketing and social media for the farm which has been open since 1960 and is still family run by the current Websters who met at summer camp as pre-teens.  Awwwww!  We decided to ask Janice a few questions so families could learn just exactly what wonderful opportunities Upland Hills Farm offers to its community.

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We asked Janice… What is your favorite thing about Upland Hills Farm?

“The fact that it has maintained an authentic farm experience for all these decades.  It was created to teach people where their food and fiber come from.   In addition to days when the public visits the farm, Upland Hills welcomes thousands of school children to the farm each year.  And for school districts that do not have field trip capabilities, UHF brings the farm to the school!  Kids are in complete awe when they see a cow in their gym!”

They have farm animals that you can visit of every kind… dairy cows (that children have the opportunity to milk), goats, sheep, pigs, horses, alpacas, mini-donkeys, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, rabbits, even labrador retrievers!  The farm breeds them, which means you may be lucky enough to visit when the babies are little.  Many spring babies happen with cows and sheep.  This summer also brought kits (baby rabbits) and they are expecting a cria (baby alpaca) any day now.  It’s a baby boom!

Piglets are coming in October!

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Speaking of animals, we asked Janice for a funny animal story…

“Ok, this is perfect because this melds together my birthing education business with my love of farm life. I was showing a family around the farm who was interested in having their wedding there. One of our cows had just given birth to a calf and ………..wait for it………was eating her placenta. Ok, for those of us in the birth world we understand mammals do that, but I am sure for the bride it was a little shocking!”

How about that?!  Farm mammals instinctively understand the potential benefits of placenta consumption!

Along with the amazing farm animals, Upland Hills Farm offers many different programs throughout the year:

  • School Field Trips
  • School Assemblies
  • Summer Day Camp
  • Summer Sundays
  • Fall Harvest Festival
  • Harvest Moon Hayrides
  • Weddings & Private Parties
  • Downtown Rochester Farmers Market + CSA (community supported agriculture) share opportunity
Summer Day Camp is a huge offering the farm has.  Kids have the opportunity to just be kids, hanging out with animals and nature… choosing their own activities from farm chores, crafts, sports, nature walks & swamping, horseback riding and more. And their afternoons are spent swimming in a lake.  Who doesn’t love that?!

Fall brings popular upcoming events as well like the Fall Harvest Festival (Saturdays and Sundays in October) and Harvest Moon Hayrides (Friday and Saturday nights in October).

The Harvest Moon Hayride is a great non-haunted attraction.  It’s super chill and includes a hot beverage and a donut. People can also bring marshmallows/hotdogs and sticks if they want to roast by the bonfire or they can also just relax by the fire with their family.
There is something going on every season at Upland Hills Farm, so no matter when you decide to visit you are sure to enjoy it.  Go check them out – it’s worth the drive!  From 0-99 years of age, there is sure to be something fun for everyone.

Happy Fall!!

Thank you to Upland Hills Farm for all you do, also to Janice for your time and input!
For more information visit: www.uplandhillsfarm.com
481 Lake George Road, Oxford, Michigan 48370
248-628-1611

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