5/13/21 – WCSG Travelin’ Together: Anderson and Girls Farms

Posted by: Joel Hill | Thursday, May 13th, 2021 ( 6:00am)

As part of our WCSG Travelin’ Together series we take a short trip north to Stanton to visit the Anderson and Girls Orchards.

The Anderson’s bought the farm in 1978 but in 2000 decided that a petting zoo should be added. They started out with a few goats and calves, and have now grown to around 140 animals. Amy Anderson says they hope to expand this summer.

“Starting Memorial Day, we are hoping to be able to do camel rides every weekend, all through the summer. That’s weather permitting. And one of our camels may be expecting this summer.”

The petting zoo is free and open to the public beginning in April. The petting zoo offers opportunities to get up close and personal with some of the animals and even a chance to feed some of them. You can find stations throughout the farm that will allow you to interact more closely with the animals that include Dwarf and Pygmy goats, Sloths, a miniature Yak and some Reindeer. And that’s not all.

“My dad now has, we started with the goats and then we got Reindeer, and then Camels, and now we have Lemurs, and feed the Parakeets, and walk with the Wallabies.”

The walking paths are easily accessible and can handle strollers. There are also benches throughout the path if you need a short break.

Some important things to remember are that no dogs are allowed in the petting zoo area, shoes are required, and no outside food should be brought in.

For more information, including hours of operation and directions, visit Anderson & Girls.