in Oregon, they'd had plenty of visitors–their children's friends, their grandchildren and their grandchildren's friends. "We were having kids coming out more and more, kids who hadn't seen a farm," says Ray, and Alice adds, "If we could accommodate 15 people, we decided we could accommodate a few more."
For almost 10 years, A-Z has welcomed school and day care groups, people from nursing homes and more. They've also brought their animals for display to the Madison Children's Museum, and to Madison's Easter Parade. But their biggest attraction by far is the lambing that occurs in March. Last year alone, more than 7,000 children and adults visited the farm during the March weekends in the hopes of seeing a little lamb be born.
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The odds are good. A-Z Farm has 90 ewes, which are expected to give birth to 180 lambs this spring. In fact, triplet births–or even quadruple ones–are not particularly unusual. "We once had 23 sets of triplets," says Alice.
And A-Z Farm doesn't stop at sheep. Visit A-Z and you also get up close and personal to rabbits, calves, goats, chickens, ducklings, pigs, pheasants, horses, dogs, cats, a pony and donkey, and Tom the turkey.
"It's exciting, not just for the kids but for the adults," says Ray. "Today, the average city-dweller is three generations removed from a farm. This gives them something to see they may never have seen before. And grandmas and grandpas love to come because it reminds them of their youth."
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A-Z farms uses the sheep and lambs for wool as well as for meat, and sells to individuals as well as to distributors around the Midwest. Their animals are fed with all natural ingredients. "No growth hormones, no antibiotics, no growth stimulants," Ray says.
No reservations are needed for the lamb birthing barn events, but a small fee is charged. Lambing events at the farm are to be held March 11, 18 and 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year the A-Z farm will donate a portion of the paid admissions of the March 11 event to the National Breast Research Foundation.
More information on A-Z Farms, the lambing event, or directions is available by calling 608-835-5553.
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