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Trillium Creek Family Farm
High
school students staff the zoo's popular Trillium Creek Family Farm.
The farm is unlike anywhere else in the zoo, allowing children
of all ages hands-on experience with farm animals. Teenage volunteers
gain practical experience in animal care and public speaking, in
order to teach visitors about farm life and the rich agricultural
heritage of the Pacific Northwest. Visitors may hear about what
farming was like in Oregon in the mid-1800s, about how there were
produce farms within Portland's city limits as recently as the
1950s, or how modern technology helps boost farm productivity on
today's farm.
The
Vision
Building upon its national award-winning successes in youth development and informal
education, the zoo built a farm that is run by kids for kids of all ages. Our
Trillium Creek Family Farm, as part of the zoo's multi-feature Great Northwest
exhibit, is an exhibit where millions of visitors can personally connect to farms,
farm living and farm-related issues.
Animals
Visitors can learn about unusual farm animals, like the Pygora
goat,
a breed developed in Oregon, which is a cross between a pygmy and
an angora goat. If you're lucky, you might even catch the shearing
of
a Shetland
sheep, a breed from England well suited to Oregon's
climate.
Also
making their home on the farm are Silver-Gray Dorking bantam chickens,
Araucana chickens and Muscovy ducks, which can be seen
in an open pen
outside the main barn.
During the summer, visitors can get close to some smaller, furry
mammals such as opossums, domestic rabbits and domestic ferrets,
which are
all part of the zoo's Little Zoo exhibit.
Features
The
3,000-square-foot barn housing the sheep and goats is the main setting
for Trillium Creek Family Farm. Inside, visitors can get close to the
animals, and watch farm-themed demonstrations such as sheepshearing.
Hay bales stacked sky-high add to the feel of being on a farm.
The
large farmyard, next to the 1,700-square-foot farmhouse, includes a
vegetable garden tended by volunteers. The farm's
design is based
on existing historical Northwest farms to showcase heritage
farming. A heritage
farm is a farm that has been in a single family for more
than 100 years. Heritage farm animals are bred over long
periods
of time
to adapt to
regional conditions.
 The
Farm Animal Care Team makes the Trillium Creek Family Farm a revolutionary
exhibit, allowing teenaged volunteers
to host
the farm.
This provides
the volunteers an opportunity to educate visitors on
the history of farming in Oregon. Volunteers describe what
Oregon farming
was like
in the mid-1800s
and tell how produce farms were located within Portland
city limits as recently as the 1950s. They also look
to the future
with discussions
about modern technology's role in boosting farm productivity.
A
large tractor completes the look of the farmyard and provides a transition
point from Cougar Crossing into
the farm. Children
can
interact with
this large piece of rural machinery, climbing into
the seat of the tractor from its massive wheels.
Project
Goals
- Family Farm at the Oregon Zoo is a safe, fun place where: Children, adults
and families become more aware where and how their food is produced
- More than 1.3 million annual visitors learn about the importance of
conserving genetic diversity through the examples provided by rare,
domestic breeds of livestock
- High school students acquire information, gain real work experience,
and explore career opportunities while participating in community
service
- Children of all ages learn about responsibility and respect for animals
- Youth from rural communities share their love and knowledge of farms
and farm animals with their urban and suburban peers and the general
public
- Inner city kids share newly-acquired animal information and practice
transferable teaching skills
Partnership
Development of Family Farm programs reflects partnership efforts between the
Oregon Zoo and a dynamic collaboration of public and private entities such
as Oregon State University, the Cooperative Extension Service, 4-H, Future
Farmers of America, local school districts, and the home-school community.
Funding
for construction and operation of the Family Farm includes support
from The Oregon Zoo Foundation, voter-approved bond funding, revenues
generated by zoo operations, and contributions from individuals, corporations
and foundations.
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