The Davises' detour into family entertainment began by accident in 1990 when a fire destroyed most of the family's dairy farm, which had been in continuous operation since 1846. To console them, a friend gave the family three highland cattle. Before long, passersby began stopping to admire the rare animals who were grazing in front of the burned-out barn and the idea of creating a haven for endangered farm animals was born. Since then, Davis' Farmland has continued to evolve, adding a play area, pony rides, a spray park, seasonal apple picking, and a separate admission corn maze (see story, Page M11).
The Davis family -- John, 64, and his sons Larry, 42, and Doug, 39 -- fifth- and sixth-generation fruit and dairy farmers, are proud of their large collection of rare and endangered livestock, including a Poitou ass and an Ossabaw Island hog. Messages about extinction were lost, however, on our young group, who didn't stay still long enough to learn anything about vanishing breeds.
That's typical, say the owners.
''We didn't choose to focus on endangered farm animals because we thought it was a great market niche," said Larry Davis. ''We did it because our interest in them spawned a desire to do it. Hopefully, we can make it sustainable."
We have visited a lot of family farms and petting zoos over the past several years, but the Davises have turned subtle twists on the familiar to make their farm unusual.
For instance, instead of just petting and feeding the animals ($2 for a generous cupful of feed), children can groom them, too, using brushes inside every pen. Instead of face painting (nearly a requirement at any attraction that courts the 2-to-10-year-old set), children are invited to paint their own faces in a mirrored barn. Our gang spent an hour in there.
Lauren Scott-Gross, from nearby Stowe, buys a season pass for her two young children.
