The farms and vineyards that flank Sound Avenue and Route 25 along the North Fork have begun to post their signs of welcome to fall festivals throughout the months of September and October. One of the big attractions at many of these venues for children and for animal lovers of all ages is the menagerie of farmstead creatures great and small that bring the imagery of childhood favorites like "Charlottes's Web" to life. From goats, sheep, alpacas and cows to chickens, pigs, horses and bison, all of the animals that inspired author E.B. White's cast of characters for his barn cellar scenes await your visit.
Two dairy farms, Catapano Dairy Farm in Peconic and Goodale Farm in Aquebogue, have goats that eagerly welcome attention and human interaction. At Catapano, milking times are posted for those interested in witnessing the goats' contribution toward the production of some stellar, award-winning cheeses. Catapano also features an alpaca and some chickens; and their resident cat, Kiki, contentedly greets customers in the retail shop. In addition to their goats, Goodale is also home to cows, sheep, pigs and chickens.
Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck keeps Nigerian goats, horses, rabbits, Royal Canadian pot-bellied pigs, chickens and sheep to stoke the human-animal bond. For an entrance fee, visitors to the farm's Barnyard Adventure can pet and feed the animals, learn about them, watch the pigs race and relax on a hayride. In Jameport, The Little Red Barn's creatures await interaction from their human guests, and pony rides are also available. Garden of Eve Organic Farm and Market in Riverhead welcomes visitors to pet and feed alpacas.
Some vineyards are home to a few animals as well. The Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard in Wading River is also home to the Baiting Hollow Farm Horse Rescue, which has been rescuing and providing sanctuary to horses since 2007. Tours of the stables and a chance to meet and greet the equine residents are offered each weekend, and the proceeds from wine purchases made in the vineyard's retail shop are allocated toward the horse rescue cause and the care of the horses in their charge.
Jason's Vineyard in Jamesport is one among the increasing number of vineyards to embrace organic farming techniques, including the use of sheep to tend the grounds in lieu of gas-powered mowers and herbicides. Specifically, babydoll Southdown sheep are valued for their ability to keep lawns mowed and weeds controlled while being petite enough to leave the grapes on the vines to flourish. Martha Clara Vineyard in Riverhead also provides a home to sheep as well as various other animals, including llama, alpaca, pigs, goats and magnificent Scottish Highland cattle.
When you pull into one of the many farms and vineyards that are celebrating fall festivals, be sure to take some time out in between the pumpkin and apple picking, corn maze confusion and wine tasting to greet the animals that no farming scene is complete without. Old Macdonald's farm had nothing on Long Island's sprawling farmland, where kids can interact with the animals face to face, not just sing about them.
Two dairy farms, Catapano Dairy Farm in Peconic and Goodale Farm in Aquebogue, have goats that eagerly welcome attention and human interaction. At Catapano, milking times are posted for those interested in witnessing the goats' contribution toward the production of some stellar, award-winning cheeses. Catapano also features an alpaca and some chickens; and their resident cat, Kiki, contentedly greets customers in the retail shop. In addition to their goats, Goodale is also home to cows, sheep, pigs and chickens.
Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck keeps Nigerian goats, horses, rabbits, Royal Canadian pot-bellied pigs, chickens and sheep to stoke the human-animal bond. For an entrance fee, visitors to the farm's Barnyard Adventure can pet and feed the animals, learn about them, watch the pigs race and relax on a hayride. In Jameport, The Little Red Barn's creatures await interaction from their human guests, and pony rides are also available. Garden of Eve Organic Farm and Market in Riverhead welcomes visitors to pet and feed alpacas.
Some vineyards are home to a few animals as well. The Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard in Wading River is also home to the Baiting Hollow Farm Horse Rescue, which has been rescuing and providing sanctuary to horses since 2007. Tours of the stables and a chance to meet and greet the equine residents are offered each weekend, and the proceeds from wine purchases made in the vineyard's retail shop are allocated toward the horse rescue cause and the care of the horses in their charge.
Jason's Vineyard in Jamesport is one among the increasing number of vineyards to embrace organic farming techniques, including the use of sheep to tend the grounds in lieu of gas-powered mowers and herbicides. Specifically, babydoll Southdown sheep are valued for their ability to keep lawns mowed and weeds controlled while being petite enough to leave the grapes on the vines to flourish. Martha Clara Vineyard in Riverhead also provides a home to sheep as well as various other animals, including llama, alpaca, pigs, goats and magnificent Scottish Highland cattle.
When you pull into one of the many farms and vineyards that are celebrating fall festivals, be sure to take some time out in between the pumpkin and apple picking, corn maze confusion and wine tasting to greet the animals that no farming scene is complete without. Old Macdonald's farm had nothing on Long Island's sprawling farmland, where kids can interact with the animals face to face, not just sing about them.