Dear Friends of the Critter Barn,
This newsletter is the second in a series of monthly updates to keep you informed as we journey to our new home on 80th Avenue. This month we want to recognize the enthusiasm and expertise of our new partners at United Dairy Industries of Michigan (UDIM). Their specialty is dairy products, and they are eager to provide students with delicious samples of milk and cheese!
Sharon Toth and her team at UDIM are committed to teaching children to make healthy choices about foods and promoting active lifestyles. "Healthy Farm ­ Healthy You" helps children understand the importance of excellent farming practices and the work that goes into raising our abundant food supply.
We look forward to "growing" our friendship with UDIM and are making plans to include some of their curriculum at the farm this spring.
Please keep our planning teams in your prayers as the new farm continues to grow.
Best wishes for the New Year,
Mary Rottschafer, Executive Director
 We have $901,000 in pledges and dollars. That’s 30% of what is needed to break ground! That includes a generous donation for the purchase and gift of the land.
Our new property is 27 acres. There are an adjacent 9 acres owned by Consumer's Energy. This additional land may be used for raising crops or fenced for grazing.
Currently, there are no buildings on the new property.
The existing Critter Barn will be taken down, some outbuildings moved, and all fencing, barn beams, and usable materials will be utilitized in the construction of our new farm buildings.
Howdy, I’m Jake, the oldest member of the Critter Barn family. When I first moved to the farm there were only three kids who spent time with me: Elizabeth, Andrew, and Joel.
I'd walk with them, ride in our pick­up truck to 4­H practice, and spend a week in the summer at the fairgrounds. Eventually, other kids started to pay attention to me. They would brush me, take rides on my saddle, and feed me treats! These kids wore red shirts and called themselves the Critter Crew.
Many members of the original Critter Crew have attended veterinarian school. Kara grew up to be a special education teacher in Holland, and my very best friend, Nate is working on diesel engines. He still comes back to the farm to volunteer and brings his girlfriend along! We are planning to have a Volunteer Headquarters at the new Critter Farm for all these folks. Check me out, the next time you visit the Critter Barn, and I'll share some more stories about the dedicated Critter Crew volunteers. EEE­awe EEE­awe! Jake the Donkey
Just imagine...
...a farm that goes beyond what is expected, and provides a welcoming place for everyone, including Tom, a twelve­year­old, who lives with Muscular Dystrophy. Our new farm will be the first public facility in Michigan that has the adaptive equipment he needs, so Tom can visit the new Critter Farm often and stay as long as he likes.
Our entrances will have no barriers to interfere with his chair, and there will be many animals within Tom's reach. Our new facility will have eating areas, quiet rooms, play spaces, a covered drop­off, supportive tricycles, activity chairs, and equipped bathrooms all designed to make it easy for Tom and others with physical challenges to enjoy the farm with family and friends. The benefits and accessibility of our new Farm will bless everyone!