The Little Farm

Miami is a busy city. I wouldn’t call it a “concrete jungle”, New York has called that name, it’s more like concrete and paradise overgrowing into one another’s personal space. It’s wild, diverse, bustling, and beautiful. But the boundary for concrete ends where the Redlands begin. There are farms, fruit stands, and land, acres and acres of green. Among those acres is The Little Farm.

Once the rain bands from Hurricane Matthew passed, we emerged from our overly prepared and boarded caves to the freshly bathed outdoors and headed off to The Little Farm for some pumpkin fun. Until I moved to Utah, pumpkins came from Publix and just like bologna and hot dogs, I never really questioned where they came from. And although I’ve still never cut one off the vine, or grown one myself (despite many failed attempts in elementary school-I blame the dirt) I’ve shifted my pumpkin purchases from Publix to patches. A popular patch here in Miami is The Little Farm, complete with pumpkins, ponies, and petting farm. First stop at the patch was their butterfly garden. Slightly lacking in butterflies but exciting nonetheless. Not as exciting as their horses.

If your child is afraid or allergic to horses, the Little Farm comes equipped with a lively alternative. The most adorable tire swing I’ve seen to date. There are horse and pony rides and the most adorable Parks and Rec Lil’ Sebastian look-alike.

The most fun for my little was their petting farm. Rabbits, chicks, turkeys, piglets, goats, sheep, geese, chickens, and cows (although we didn’t get to meet these cows).

Apparently you’re not allowed to feed or pick up the animals however, despite the fact that my three-year old is brilliant, she still cannot read. The joy on her face was a perfect display of the old cliche “ignorance is bliss” as her arms were full with a piggy “weee weee weeing” until he was all the way home in his hay bed. Please note, no animal was harmed, just slightly annoyed at most.

Speaking of overwhelming animals, among this friendly batch of the healthiest petting farm animals I’ve seen to date, was this fabulous goat. Isabella to this goat was Bo Peep to her sheep.

The loveliest of goats, healthy, but slightly confused as it consistently chewed on Isabella’s hair. There was no convincing him that hair was not hay and he was blissfully ignorant so we didn’t try.

Although the patch is limited to the month of October, despite popular belief, The Little Farm is open year round. This means every weekend you can enjoy pony rides, a petting farm, farm tours, and strolls through the butterfly garden. However for the month of October, there’s no per person fee (which is regularly $10 for one and up). During October there’s just a $5 parking fee. Be sure to bring cash as it’s cash only.

If you’re unable to make it before the patch is put away, be sure to keep up with the other events they hold (like their Easter egg hunt). What’s your favorite part of pumpkin season?