Appleton 2010 Christmas Parade

Mulberry Lane Petting Farm presents: Farm Family Traditions


The family farm is legendary in WI with Christmas traditions dating back to our Grandparents and beyond. Even tho it may be Christmas morning the farmer must complete his morning chores before going back to the farm house to partake in the holiday festivities.


Mulberry Lane Petting Farm takes a stroll down memory lane to relive one of the oldest farm traditions, delivering the morning milk. Farmer Pat is at the reins seated atop the antique milk wagon pulled by…… reindeer?!?

Or are they the farm’s milking cows!?!?

Thanks to our "cows" Farmer Gala, Farmer Wendy, Farmer Liz and Farmer Ron (pictured). Farmer Kevin, Farmer Olivia, Farmer Cindy and Farmer Bonnie (not pictured). Farmer Pat on wagon and Granddaughter, Aaliyah as the farm kitty-kat.

2010...Oh what a year!

Thank you to all our guest who helped make 2010 such a memorable year. It certainly was exciting and we have some people to thank...

Equitable Reserve Association for holding your 5th annual "ERA Day at Mulberry Lane Farm." Over 300 ERA members visited the farm in a single day.

The first "Green Bay Packer Association Family Day" held at Mulberry. By all indications it won't be the last. (We believe some Packer players think Otis needs be signed up for the Packer front line!)

Seth & Kate Lenz for hosting their wedding at Mulberry Lane Farm. We felt honored to part of such a special day.

For the corporations and private individuals who caught Mulberry's vision to "provide an ideal country learning environment where people of all ages can interact and learn about farm animals through a "hands-on" guided tour" and made generous contributions to our "Future Farmers Grant" program WE THANK YOU!

• U.S. Venture, Appleton
• Schwaubenlander Farms LLP, Chilton
• Jillene and Bob McLaughlin, Beloit
• Carol & Paul Gehl, Hilbert
• John Anderson, Host of Wipeout
  

Our awesome staff! Without them there is no us. We have the best tour guides and best farm hands in the land! Need I say more? They are the reason Mulberry has become the premier field trip destination in the area.

And YOU...our loyal followers and guest of Mulberry Lane Farm! We humbly thank you for joining us. Your laughter, your squeals of excitement, your giggles, your shared words of appreciation...we thank you.

We look forward to 2011...See you in May!

Submitted photo by guest: JPickart

Xtra FREE Pumpkins & Gourds

Last chance to celebrate the fall harvest. Decorate your Thanksgiving table and/or porches with the extra pumpkins and gourds we are giving away to our visitors. Farm open Saturday and Sunday, Oct 30 & 31. Open at 10AM. Last admission to the farm is at 3PM.

Pick a Pumpkin at Mulberry Lane Farm

Everyone picks their own FREE Pumpkin in fall!


Open 7 days a week Sept 24 through Oct. 31st. Fall is in the air and it's time to make the caramel apples, bring out the harvest wagons and trim the farm with corn stalks, Indian corn and pumpkins.
Fall is a beautiful time of year to be in the country. Whether you are on a guided tour of the farm, enjoying a hayride, mulling around sipping hot apple cider, or munching on a crisp caramel apple, we're confident you'll enjoy your time on the farm.

Remember to stop back at the Granary to receive your pumpkin ticket to visit the Pumpkin Patch.

Everyone picks their own FREE pumpkin!

Future Farmers Grant

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to provide an ideal country learning environment where people of all ages can interact and learn about farm animals through "hands-on" guided tours.

Here at Mulberry Lane Farm we take this mission very seriously. We are thrilled when our guest share how overwhelmed they are by their visit. Unfortunately, with the current economic climate and school budget cuts, we have found some students unable to experience this same joy and excitement.

We believe every student, no matter their family's financial situation, deserves the opportunity to participate in a Mulberry Lane Farm field trip. Therefore, we have begun a new program called the “Future Farmers Grant.” We invite you to join our team by contributing to the grant program.

How does the "Future Farmers Grant" work?

1. Fill out a pledge card
2. Fill out top portion of "Distribution Form"
3. Based upon your pledge, MLF will forward you the completed distribution form with the name(s) of the teachers and schools who have requested a grant.
4. Write your tax deductible check directly to the school(s).
5. If you’d like, many of our contributors visit the farm the day the students come on their field trip. See first hand the excitement and joy on the students’ face when they get a chance to:

- Milk a Cow

- Ride a Pony

- Catch a Chicken

- Kiss a Pig

- Cuddle a Kitten

- Enjoy a Hayride

- Receive a FREE Souvenir or Pumpkin

- and MORE!

We have learned that no matter the age or the background there is something about a farm that brings out the joy and worth in others.

Call or email us today to receive your pledge card and distribution form at 920-989-3130 or mulberrylanefarm@yahoo.com

The Story of Sis

"You'd never know it by looking at me that I just had a kitten, would you?" Sis questioned.

Farmer Bonnie explained, "I hate to tell you Sis, but you had more than 1 kitten!"

"Well, yes, maybe 2 or 3. It's hard to tell. It just looks like a pile of fur!" Sis sighed.
Helpful Farmer Bonnie said, "Here, let me help you count. I'll spread them out a little more. That should help."



"There, that helps...I think I count NINE!" exclaimed Farmer Bonnie







NINE?!?!?
You GOT to be Kidding!
"Yup, nine!" Assured Farmer Bonnie
"Count them."



"Oh my, oh my...what am I going to do with NINE kittens?" Cried Sis


THE END

Ahhh...Cool at Last

Remember sweetheart...not having sweat glands the only way I can stay cool is to wallow in mud!

Try it...you'll like it! (P.S. Don't tell your Mom I told you!!)

Lucy's Daily Stroll

(Double click on photos to enlarge to see horses in the background.)

Each day while Lucy's pen is being cleaned we allow her to "free range" to get her exercise.
I think Chilli (colt) was questioning his mom, Winter (mare) if he was seeing things.Winter felt she needed to get a closer look. Sure enough...Lucy! Out for her daily stroll.You can tell by her teats that she has some hungry little piglets waiting for her return. In fact, 11 little piggies waiting at home. BUT, like most Moms, there are just those days when you need a little "ME" time.

This is a Fox Cities Viewpoint

Thursday 8/5/10 Mulberry Lane Farm has the privilege of sharing our "viewpoint" on the radio!

It was a really cool experience going into the studio for the taping of my "view." With all the awesome technology we were able to do it in 1-1/2 takes. They can cut, splice, delete...gee I should have asked them to make me sound like Marilyn Monroe while they were at it. :)

For those who can't tune in to WHBY 1150 (AM station) at 7:15 AM, 12:15 PM and again between 5:15 and 6 PM, I thought I'd share my script.


I challenge you...Do you think you could live a day without agriculture?

Defining agriculture as "the production of food and goods through farming 'ag' products touch our lives...from your wooden bed frame, cotton sheets, goose down pillow, woolen blanket...and you aren't even out of bed yet!

Try having an ag free breakfast! No eggs, bacon, toast, milk, juice, cereal...difficult, isn't it!

We are indebted to our farmers. Where would we be without them?

According to the Census of Agriculture,
"A long term trend observed is the aging of farm operators...the fastest growing group is those 65 years and older."

Who will replace our aging farmers before the family farm is extinct?

Educating our children, instilling a love of farm animals and land is imperative.

Hands-on learning is the best way to learn about farming.

So I give you one last challenge...

• visit a petting farm
• the county fair
• or farm progress days with your children. There are countless farm education opportunities.

Who knows, you may have a future farmer in the family!

This is Bonnie Keyes, Mulberry Lane Petting Farm and This is a Fox Cities View Point.

Doe had Kittens!

No we don't have a deer at the farm that gave birth to kittens. We have a female rabbit (Doe) who had bunnies (called kits or kittens). The male is a buck. Kind of confusing if you ask me.

Our Doe gave us a sure sign that she was about to deliver by pulling the hair from under her chin to line the nest. This is to keep her kits warm until their own hair grows long. You can see one buried in the hair if you look close. We still don't know how many she's had! Shhh...we don't want to disturb them.

White Peahen has Five!

The White Peahen and/or Peacock are frequently mistaken for an albino, but it is a color variety of Indian Blue Peacock. Its white color makes it look really magnificent and elegant.

Our white peahen had 5 peachicks. She mated with an Indian Blue Peacock so we are anxiously waiting to see their color as they get older. They could turn out to be a combination white and blue!

FREE Ice Cream

FREE Froggs Tadpole ice cream cone for ALL visitors to the farm today!

Froggs in Sherwood WI and Mulberry Lane Petting Farm have teamed together for a Summer Breeze Event. Present your farm sticker at Froggs and you'll get a FREE Tadpole cone!

Sunday July 25th only.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Like chocolate chip cookies? At Mulberry Lane Farm we offer chocolate chip cookies fresh baked and frozen! We've found on those hot humid summer days many of our guest love to bite into a cool frozen cookie. Yummy!





We also have yummy jellies and jams. Ever try mulberry jam? It's very hard to find because it takes soooo many berries to make just one jar of jam. We have it for sale her in our Granary along with other mouth watering jams. We have Door County raspberry jelly along with the very best strawberry rhubarb jam made from our very own Farmer Barb!

Another favorite is our hand-made African baskets. It's our way of the WI farmer supporting African farmers. Hand weaved of elephant grass with some of the grass died from plant extract making vibrant colored baskets. No two baskets are alike.
You'll also find pickled asparagus, pickles, honey, garden salsa, maple syrup, cherry pie filling, caramel topping, cider spice and more!

Mouth watering yet?

Never too old to learn.

Today while I was out touring our family guest we stopped to visit Winter and her colt Chilli. I mentioned, "Did you notice that Chilli has blue eyes?" One of the guest explained that it is called "walleye." Sure enough. I came home and looked it up and found...

wall·eye (wôl′ī′)

noun

1. an eye, as of a horse, with a whitish iris or white, opaque cornea

I'm so glad she shared this information with me. I enjoy learning too!

A True Duck Story from San Antonio , Texas

Something really cute happened in downtown San Antonio this week. Michael R. is an accounting clerk at Frost Bank and works there in a second story office. Several weeks ago, he watched a mother duck choose the concrete awning outside his window as the unlikely place to build a nest above the sidewalk. The mallard laid ten eggs in a nest in the corner of the planter that is perched over 10 feet in the air. She dutifully kept the eggs warm for weeks, and Monday afternoon all of her ten ducklings hatched.

Michael worried all night how the momma duck was going to get those babies safely off their perch in a busy, downtown, urban environment to take to water, which typically happens in the first 48 hours of a duck hatching. Tuesday morning, Michael watched the mother duck encourage her babies to the edge of the perch with the intent to show them how to jump off. Office work came to a standstill as everyone gathered to watch.

The mother flew down below and started quacking to her babies above. In disbelief Michael watched as the first fuzzy newborn trustingly toddled to the edge and astonishingly leapt into thin air, crashing onto the cement below. Michael couldn't stand to watch this risky effort nine more times! He dashed out of his office and ran down the stairs to the sidewalk where the first obedient duckling, near its mother, was resting in a stupor after the near-fatal fall. Michael stood out of sight under the awning-planter, ready to help.

As the second one took the plunge, Michael jumped forward and caught it with his bare hands before it hit the concrete.. Safe and sound, he set it down it by its momma and the other stunned sibling, still recovering from that painful leap. (The momma must have sensed that Michael was trying to help her babies.)

One by one the babies continued to jump.. Each time Michael hid under the awning just to reach out in the nick of time as the duckling made its free fall. At the scene the busy downtown sidewalk traffic came to a standstill. Time after time, Michael was able to catch the remaining eight and set them by their approving mother.

At this point Michael realized the duck family had only made part of its dangerous journey. They had two full blocks to walk across traffic, crosswalks, curbs and past pedestrians to get to the closest open water, theSan Antonio River , site of the famed "River Walk." The onlooking office secretaries and several San Antonio police officers joined in. An empty copy-paper box was brought to collect the babies. They carefully corralled them, with the mother's approval, and loaded them in the container.. Michael held the box low enough for the mom to see her brood. He then slowly navigated through the downtown streets toward the San Antonio River . The mother waddled behind and kept her babies in sight, all the way.

As they reached the river, the mother took over and passed him, jumping in the river and quacking loudly. At the water's edge, Michael tipped the box and helped shepherd the babies toward the water and to the waiting mother after their adventurous ride.

All ten darling ducklings safely made it into the water and paddled up snugly to momma. Michael said the mom swam in circles, looking back toward the beaming bank bookkeeper, and proudly quacking.

At last, all present and accounted for: "We're all together again. We're here! We're here!"

And here's a family portrait before they head outward to further adventures....

Like all of us in the big times of our life, they never could have made it alone without lots of helping hands.

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Farmer Barb's Strawberry Rhubarb Jam returns to the Granary shelves! We had been sold out for the season but Farmer Barb got busy and...whala! Do I hear yummy?!?!

Chilton Father's Day Parade

Here they come...

Here they go....

Mulberry Lane Farm participated in the Chilton Father's Day Parade. Farmer Pat pulled a 100 year old running gear with Farmer Aaliyah and Farmer Olivia holding a kid goat and lamb inside the wagon.

Farmer Quianna and Farmer Kevin handed out candy dressed as cows...aaah...perhaps we should say Kevin was a bull?!? Farmer Liz and Farmer Cindy handed out brochures/passes. Farmer Susan pulled up the rear in a sag wagon in case Teddy Bear who was tethered to the back of the wagon left anything behind.

Farmer Pat believes there were 5000-7000 people lining the streets of Chilton! We are so honored to have been part of this special day.

Spend Father's Day at the farm!

1 FREE Dad per family group on Sunday, June 20th. Open at 10 AM.

Get a kick out of seeing Dad catch a chicken, kiss a pig, cuddle a kitten, strut with the turkeys, enjoy a hayride, milk a cow and more!

Birthday Celebration with FREE Admission

Help Farmer Bonnie celebrate her birthday this Saturday, June 19th. Print the coupon/photo for FREE admission to the farm!

PS - any quesses how old she'll be?!?

Beautiful Cows.

As featured in the Appleton Post Crescent...Farmer Cindy and Farmer Bonnie.

Parade Photos