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Oak Ridge Farm

Oak Ridge Farm

Visit a 200-acre “working farm” near Dousman, Wis. (approximately 30 miles west of Milwaukee). Children will experience farm life up close, with opportunities to touch many of the animals. Oak Ridge Farm is a real working farm with large animals, moving machinery, and a barn with dairy operations. Oak Ridge Farm may be scheduled for four hours or less between 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

On the Farm (Grades K-12) Year-Round

The farm is a riveting and exciting place for children of all ages. This working farm is home to a variety of animals, crops, building structures, equipment, and antiques. Students will get a wagon ride out to the fields to see where our crops are grown (weather permitting), tour through the old and new barn areas, and get to see the antiques in the old farm house.

Wisconsin Farm History (K4-12) Year-Round

In the past, one farmer could feed 3-5 people. Today, farmers can feed 60 people. Farms play a crucial role in our lives; this program gives students a personal look at the life of a farmer. From starting out with a single plow pulled by a horse to now having massive tractors and machinery, students will follow Wisconsin’s farm history timeline right into today’s world.

Dairy Day (Grades K3-12) Year-Round

Students will be introduced to the life of a dairy farmer. While touring the farm, students will see where the cattle graze the fields, learn about milking cows, as well as how we are using milk in every day life. A milking demonstration will be done and the milk house will be available for viewing. Students will also get the chance to churn cream into butter, or make ice cream during those hot summer days.

Wool Day (Grades K4-12) Year-Round

Students will be introduced to the process of turning wool into a usable product from start to finish. Hands on activities will include: cleaning, carding and dying wool. Lambs are available for viewing and a sheering demonstration may be given (season permitting).

Snowshoeing (Grades 4-12) Winter

Snowshoe through the Kettle Moraine forest on a guided tour searching for animal tracks and winter wildlife. Explore what is left of the original farm house built in 1845 all while staying above the snow. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. If weather does not permit snow, students will learn about snowshoeing, how to put on snowshoes, and hike the snowshoe route.

Teachers may choose to bring bag lunches OR roast hot dogs and sausages over the fire. Fire and roasting forks are provided; parents and teachers are the cooks (NO cookouts during Nov. - March). Oak Ridge Farm is an actual operating farm occupied by our farm manager and his family. It is impossible to see and do everything in one short day! Your tour guide will try to pick appropriate activities for your day. Weather, soil conditions and time of year may affect what choices are available at any particular time. If you have any special interests, please indicate them when you register, and remember to tell your guide at the start of your tour. The special winter programming (one unit per tour) must be requested in advance. In the fall, we give one pumpkin per classroom (weather/crop permitting). If you specifically want to pick a pumpkin for each child we suggest you consider a different location.

Before your trip, we encourage you to watch this brief video on how to properly dress for Oak Ridge Farm! We want everyone to have a memorable experience at the farm!
 
 
  • Donkey at Oak Ridge Farm
  • Oak Ridge Wagon Ride
  • Student pets pig at Oak Ridge Farm
  • Students and chickens observe each other
  • Students and horse at Oak Ridge Farm
  • Students and teachers walk through the farm
  • Students at Oak Ridge Farm
  • Students see animals up close at Oak Ridge Farm
  • Students with the horses at Oak Ridge Farm
  • Tractor ride at Oak Ridge Farm

Location

Telephone:
414-550-3862

Address:
S40w35961 County Rd C
Dousman, WI 53118
Map/Directions

Contact

Please use this information to contact Milwaukee Recreation's Outdoor Education staff:

Phone: 414-647-6050
Email: Outdoor [at] mkerec.net

(When emailing our staff, please replace the "[at]" with a traditional "@" symbol. Ex: Staff@mkerec.net)

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Bus Information

Please work with your school administrator to identify which bus companies are permitted to be used for MPS field trips.

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