There is a place in my hometown called "the Duck Farm"... there is a pond with ducks... but it is an acronym for: Discovering, Understanding Creativity & Knowledge for a Farm Alternative Restoration Model . A mouthful, huh? Anyhow... it's a great area treasure... 100+ acres plus it's a Bed & Breakfast, retreat center... and so much more. They work with the area high school to teach children about growing veggies, etc. and decided to have a farmers market. It was rather small but I supposed you have to start somewhere. Here's their home which also serves as the B&B. House/Bed & Breakfast ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) And a view of the backside. view from the back ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Here's the pond with a few of the ducks. The water level was pretty low since we haven't had much rain lately. pond ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) There's a Labyrinth labyrinth ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) There is so much to see there... gazebos and benches everywhere. Tons of bird houses (made by students), and lots of good ol' fashioned garden junk. gazebos ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Oh yeah... the market... market ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Like I said.. pretty small. But there was a zydeco band to entertain. There was gumbo and one of the students was selling jellies and homemade fried pies (everyone's favorite). I love this one bridge and the bed frame hand-rails! If you want to see more of the place and they do check out http://www.duckfarm.org After the holidays, I'm going to talk to the owner and see if I can offer my assistance and ideas on how to make this grow... it would be such a great thing for our little community.
I'm sure they'll be more than glad to have your help Cheryl. What a lovely spot they have for Duck Farm. :-D
Cheryl, what a great place, and I agree, they will be thrilled to have your help/advice. Now I'm wondering where I can put in a small bridge, and where to get iron bed headboards . . . .
Frank... I bought a jar of Bayberry Jelly and a little tin watering can with a plant in it. Sadly, there wasn't much else offered. Eileen... I designed their flyer for them and they said they posted/handed out 500 of them. I never saw one and talked to several people, including the little store on the corner, who didn't know a thing about it. I did convince the owner (albeit too late) to put out a sign "on the highway" so passer-bys would know there was something going on. That's where I want to help... advertise and promote. Jane... that was only one of the bridges... and there's several areas where they have used bed frames and other stuff for trellis and borders, etc. It really is a cool place with something in every nook & cranny... and they do/offer so much.
Cheryl, you will be of such great great help to them in the advertising/promotion of their place! I am constantly amazed at the intelligent, hard-working folks with a wonderful concept or location or business that think people will "just find out" about it. We had a "Stained Glass" tour of local churches with music and special activities, but so little publicity that it didn't bring in the anticipated crowds. There are a lot of free venues out there--help them use them to the max!
What a very good idea this place is. Personally I believe that it would be good for all children to be exposed to this. They may never be influenced by the experience, but the exposure would never be harmful....and who knows..... Great thing to have in your community. I'll bet they would love to hear your ideas, Cheryl.
Yes, yes, and yes I might go check this place out. I think it's fantastic that young children get exposed to this 'sort of thinking'. Years ago (1980-1987) I planted five acres along West Lacassine Bayou as a native plant arboretum. It later became known as 'Buckeye Farm'. School kids visited and saw farm animals and a few other exotic animals like Llamas and Lemurs.
