Springton Manor Farm fan page

10/23/2023

10/23/2023

Today was a beautiful sunny, but cool and brisk, day down at the farm. There were lots of visitors. The goats are now in the upper west pasture, and spend their nights in the large (cow) shed. The temporary orange fences around the west pasture sheds are gone, now that the new grass around them has started to grow. The small shed in the central (triangular) west pasture came from the middle east pasture and the small shed in the Maple Lane pasture is new. The County also installed a nice new big shed in the middle east pasture. There is also a movable tube frame and netting enclosure by the chicken coop for chicken "enrichment". The autumn colors are going strong at the farm - Maple Lane is colorful and should reach it's peak this coming week. The trees down by Indian Run Creek are in various stages of turning color, while the trees along the south ridge are still mostly green. Folks interested in Fall pics should visit this week.

10/17/2023

It is with great sadness that I pass along the news of the passing of Ginger the goat last Friday. She had been the Grande Dame of the Pasture for a number of years and was very gentle animal. She always enjoyed scratches and sometimes play butting my knees. Ginger was born in Spring 2008 and lived to the ripe old age of 15. She will be missed. In the next day or so I will post a little tribute to Ginger.

10/08/2023

I hope to see some of you today at 1PM

Intermediate Nature Photography Class - Sunday, October 8 at Springton Manor Farm
This program is for intermediate-level photographers looking to enhance their photos using an advanced compact or interchangeable lens camera. The class starts with a presentation followed by an outdoor photography adventure on the farm. All ages are welcome. Don't forget to bring your camera! Register at bit.ly/3rD25bW.

10/04/2023

Intermediate Nature Photography Class - Sunday, October 8 at Springton Manor Farm
This program is for intermediate-level photographers looking to enhance their photos using an advanced compact or interchangeable lens camera. The class starts with a presentation followed by an outdoor photography adventure on the farm. All ages are welcome. Don't forget to bring your camera! Register at bit.ly/3rD25bW.

10/01/2023

Also, nearby and now after the autumnal equinox, the park closing times change more frequently:

Inclement weather or special events may cause unexpected closings. If unexpected closings are necessary, they will be posted on our website and Facebook.

10/01/2023

Today’s a beautiful, sunny and cool day down at the farm. Since our last visit several weeks ago, there have been some changes. There is orange plastic snow fencing around the two smaller middle west pasture sheds – and the Maple Lane pasture shed now has a metal swinging gate. Jack and Henry are in the Maple Lane pasture with access to the large shed. Trip and Kid are now in the upper east pasture, with lots of grass to eat. The nannies and kid goats have swapped places with the donkeys and are in the lower west pasture - they came over to us, once we walked along the fence line to be nearer to them. The rest of the goat herd has the run of the upper west pasture. Brownie, Jenny and the sheep are still in the lower east pasture, with access to the sheep barn. Come on down to the farm, it’s always a fun place to visit.

09/24/2023

The farm's animal husbandry lead will be having a short informational program next week. No need to sign up - just show up. She says: “Next Friday the farm facilities animal caretakers will be having an impromptu ‘almost everything you need to know about chickens’ program at 1 pm September 29th.” Here’s a nice poster created by the County:

09/19/2023

the farm's animal husbandry lead will be having a short informational program next week (no need to sign up, just show up). She says: Next Friday the farm facilities animal caretakers will be having an impromptu ‘almost everything you need to know about chickens’ program at 1 pm September 29th.

09/19/2023

I will be giving free photography classes at the farm on the first two Sundays of October...anyone interested, is encouraged to sign up: https://secure.rec1.com/PA/chester-county-pa/catalog

09/14/2023

Whooooo wants to learn about owls? The Echo Dell Nature Conservatory and Friends of Springton Manor Farm will host 🦉Give a Hoot About Barn Owls 🦉 on Thursday, September 21, 7-8PM at Springton Manor Farm.

09/12/2023

Snickers and the three other male kids at Camphill Soltane !

09/10/2023

Today was a cloudy and sometimes rainy day down at the farm, but this didn't keep the visitors away. We missed Snickers getting out of the pasture to say hi. He and three other male kid goats are now at Camphill Soltane / Glenmoore. The smallest male kid, Rhodi, as well as five female kids (Sunny, Bunny, Hersheys Kiss, P.J., and Baby Yoda/Mazel) are still at the farm. Also, nannies, Lady and Delilah, have rejoined the kids and nannies in the Maple Lane pasture. We found Trip and Kid at the lower east corner of the north pasture next to the ruins of Rose Cottage – not sure why they were down there, but they seemed to appreciate our visit. The sheep (and Jenny) were in their usual spot – under the fans in the sheep barn. A couple of them, and Brownie, came over for some scratches. And Jack and Henry were grazing in the lower west pasture – way over on the far side. Jack had obviously been rolling in the mud as his white fur was very dirty. Come on down to the farm – everyone appreciates interaction with friendly visitors.

09/10/2023

Please join us on the 21st.... Free program - donations to the Friends/Echo Dell accepted. To sign up, see: https://secure.rec1.com/PA/chester-county-pa/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTI3MTAzMjQ=

09/10/2023

Archery at Springton! (The bow and arrow sets were partially funded by the Friends of SMF)

Have you and your family ever tried Archery? Here's your chance! Join Rangers Conlin and Helminiak for a Family Archery program at Springton Manor Farm on September 16 and 17. For more info and to register, go to chesco.org/parkprograms.

09/09/2023

As reported by the lead of the animal husbandry team: The 4 big boys left today. Went to camp sultane to be well loved in a beautiful pasture with some chickens and an old pot bellied pig:) Rhodi is the only male kid left w 5 little girls:)

09/06/2023

Ranger Nate!

09/05/2023

Sunday was a sunny and hot day down at the farm, with a few visitors during the holiday weekend. Due to its north-facing slope and regular breezes, the farm is cooler than most places during hot days. As you might expect, Trip and Kid were in their north pasture shed and the sheep were under the fans in the sheep barn. The goats were out in the pastures. When we arrived mid-afternoon, Jared was once again serenading the goats in the pasture with this guitar. Of course, the now famous escape artist, Snickers, got out to be with the visitors. We put him back… twice. He’s getting to be a big boy, so it takes some technique to lift him properly and hoist him over the pasture fence. Then he got out again… so when we left, we decided not to put him back, and let him munch the grass along Maple Lane. He’ll let himself back into the pasture when he’s ready. Come on down to the farm, it’s always a fun place to visit !

09/05/2023

Fall foliage season is almost here (https://uncoveringpa.com/pennsylvania-fall-foliage), and I updated my Fall Foliage Peak Estimation Sheet with the info from 2022 to create this handy chart to help you plan your travels around PA in 2023.

I first came out with this estimation last year, and was the first site to create an estimated peak foliage chart based on actual data from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (though a site or two later stole my map and branded it as their own). While there is variation from year to year, this estimation is based on several years of actual fall foliage reports from the experts at DCNR, so it's a good starting point for your travels if you are looking to plan early.

08/30/2023

upcoming programs at the farm: a ranger-led tour this weekend and mid-September archery programs. Please register at: https://secure.rec1.com/PA/chester-county-pa/catalog

08/30/2023

Another interesting program at the farm...

Who wants to hear about these mysterious creatures? Dan Mummert , wildlife biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission will present a program about barn owls.
Join us on September 21 at 7:00 pm in the carriage house.
Please register on Chester County Parks, Civic Rec. Programs, indoor education.

https://secure.rec1.com/PA/chester-county-pa/catalog

08/30/2023

Good old Snickers caught going back into the Maple Lane west pasture with mom and sis.

08/28/2023

For those of you wishing to spend quality time with Snickers (and all of the other goats), I'd stop by the farm this week. Snickers and three other male kids will be leaving very soon.

08/27/2023

Today was a comfortable sunny summer day down at the farm, though there were not many visitors. Trip and Kid had retired to their north pasture shed, but the other animals were out in their pastures. It was nearing the end of the workday, and we found barn staffer, Jared, playing guitar for the kid goats in the pasture along Maple Lane. They seemed to be enjoying it. The kids goats kept going between Jared with his guitar and us at the fence line. Some of them really mellow out when you give them scratches. Of course, Snickers had gotten out and was munching the grass near Maple Lane. Before he left to finish his barn chores, Jared put him back. It’s always fun at the farm, so why not come on down ?!?

08/23/2023

Cute kids in the west pasture...

08/21/2023

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny summer day down at the farm. The animals are doing well and were out in the fields Trip and Kid were hanging out by the north pasture fence. Two of the nannies, Delilah and Lady, are being kept in the center west pasture shared with the large shed, so their kids will be weened off their milk. They share a fence line, so they can see each other. The kid goats were as friendly as usual in the Maple Lane pasture. Good old Snickers got out to hang out with park visitors. He followed us around a bit and didn’t seem to want to go back in, so when we were leaving we put him back in ourselves. Remember, three lambs, one ewe (Bella), and four kid goats will be leaving the farm in the next week or so. The sunflowers have "hung down heads", so pics are better taken looking upward.