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A facility of the St. Charles Park District
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Featuring...
- Dairy Barn & Milk House
- Summer Kitchen
- Hog House & Sheep House
- Chicken Coop
- Machine Shed
- Historic Farm
- Demonstration Plots
- 100 Acres of
Agricultural Open Space
- Picnic Pavilion
- Interpretive Shelter
- Farm Discovery Trails
- Fruit Orchard
- Farm House
(not open to the public)
All buildings are open when staff is on site with the exception of the Farmhouse.
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Grounds Open
Dawn to Dusk
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M-Sa | 8am-3pm
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Community Garden Plots
219 Annual / 45 Perennial
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Annuals
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120 plots
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15'x30''
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$25
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Annuals
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99 plots
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30'x30'
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$45
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Perennials
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24 plots
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15'x30'
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$25
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Perennials
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21 plots
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30'x30'
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$45
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4 plot limit per gardener.
For more information,
call Cori at 630-513-4332 or
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Summertime Fun
on the Farm
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Primrose Farm is overflowing with life and growth during the summer months! Our spring arrivals are maturing into adolescence and even our older animals can be seen frolicking through the pastures and rolling around in the grass as the temperatures rise.
Our veteran livestock have been waiting patiently for April showers to pass so they can finally go out to the pastures! In the summer months, instead of mowing our fields we put our Jersey Cows and Belgian Draft horses to work. Every morning and after feeding, around 11am, the cows and horses are led out of the mud lot to eat as much grass as they please. If you're lucky, you may see our draft horses Doc and Bob rolling around in the grass or our jersey cows frolicking through the fields.
As our spring arrivals grow, they too are experiencing some newfound freedom! Our two month old Jersey Calf Peach is now out on pasture every single day! Her pasture is located right across from the dairy barn where she can be seen jumping through our tall summer grasses. She is incredibly friendly and loves some company on these long summer days, so be sure to pay her a visit when you stop by. She will be sure to repay you with plenty of calf kisses!
Right next to Peach's pen you may notice some bright orange snow fencing lining the next door fence. We can assure you that is not a style choice that will be here to stay! Our newest members to
 the Primrose Farm Family are quite the escape artists and they must bulk up in size and weight before we are able to let them roam free. Who are these adorable new additions you may ask? Primrose Farm has acquired two Nigerian Dwarf Goat kids! The twin brothers, Merle and Norman, can be told apart by the color of their fur and eyes. Merle is brown and white spotted and Norman is blonde haired with bright blue eyes. The twins are now four months old, and weigh just about 25lbs. They may be troublemakers but they are so friendly and adorable it is quite difficult to stay mad at them. If you have any questions about the goats or any other animals on the farm please do not hesitate to find a Primrose Farmer, who will happily answer any questions you may have.
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Farm Plaza Dedication
Saturday, May 20, 2017
On Saturday, May 20, Primrose Farm held an official ribbon cutting and dedication of the newly renovated farm plaza.
This plaza serves as the primary gathering place for school groups, scout groups and families. It has allowed staff to create a more organized vehicle drop off system for program participants and offers a protected area near the parking lot.
The plaza also includes an official memorial to John H. "Jack" Wessel who was a dedicated public servant of the St. Charles community, having spent years seven years on the St. Charles Park Foundation Board of Trustees and more than 20 years on the St. Charles Plan Commission.
There is a plaque mounted on the stone column with more details of Wessel's commitment to the park district and honors him for his perseverance and commitment of service. Jack strongly supported the mission of Primrose Farm and was a founding member of the annual Farm Frolic fundraiser. Because of Jack's enthusiastic contributions to the improvements at Primrose Farm, future generations will learn and enjoy many facets of day-to-day farm life. We are very grateful to the Wessel family for their continued support of the farm. A donation for the passing of Eileen Wessel, Jack's wife, also enabled us to purchase a new information kiosk.
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NEW! Adopt-an-Animal
Ages 11-17
Th Jun 1-Jul 20 / 2-3pm
Integrate responsibility, education and human/animal bonding into a memorable and rewarding experience! All farm animals are in need of loving friends to assist with their hands-on care. Pick any farm resident of your choice, even the large ones, and raise them as your own. Learn about your animal's general health, proper feed rations, training tools and grooming techniques. Sign up today for this one-of-a-kind experience with your newest furry friend. Makes a great gift, too!
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NEW! Geocaching Basics
Ages 6-17
Sa Jul 1-Aug 5 / 4-5pm
Calling all avid explorers and adventurers! Looking for a fun, family-friendly way to exercise both mind and body? Take your navigation training to the next level by learning the wonderful world of geocaching, a type of high-tech treasure hunt! Travel around the St. Charles area in search of hidden caches typically located in an eco-friendly site above ground. Acquire or improve essential mapping and navigation skills.
Click on code #s to register.
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Enjoy Farm fun on select Wednesdays & Saturdays all year long!
On-site registrations accepted. All ages welcome.
Ages 15 & under must be accompanied by an adult. Please arrive 10 minutes early to register on site.
Chicken & Egg
Every Wednesday & Saturday
11am
RES $5/NR $8 per person
See, hear and touch the Columbian Wyandotte chickens that call Primrose home and help gather farm fresh eggs straight from the nest. All pickers take home a share of the eggs collected!
Every Wednesday & Saturday
10am
RES $5/NR $8 per person
Spend your morning cozying up to the Primrose cows! Meet these lovely ladies and discover what goes into dairying - the breeding, raising and milking of dairy animals. Then get up close and personal with one of the 'fresh' cows and try your hand at milking.
Hold Your Horses
First & Third Saturdays
2pm
RES $5/NR $8 per person
Crazy about horses? Here's your chance to mingle with some gentle giants - the Primrose Farm Belgian draft horses. Explore basic grooming techniques and learn about equine care practices of today and yesterday.
Feed the Animals
Second & Fourth Saturdays
2pm
RES $5/NR $8 per person
Please feed the animals! It's not often that you'll hear this being said on a farm. Get a unique - behind the scenes - opportunity to help feed the farm's animal residents. Learn about the care and feeding of livestock and how their specialized diets vary throughout the year.
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Down on the Farm Camp
Searching for a unique camp experience? This is it! Learn what it's like to live on a farm. Start your day with chores, crafts and old-fashioned games. Milk a cow, gather eggs from the chicken coop, and help feed the animals.
Farmers
Ages 5-7 | TuTh | 9am-12pm
RES $60/NR $90
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Jun 20 & 22
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Jun 27 & 29
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Jul 11 & 13
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Jul 18 & 20
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Jul 25 & 27
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Aug 1 & 3
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Aug 8 & 10
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Aug 15 & 17
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Ranchers
This camp will continue its afternoon adventure with a variety of on-site and off-site activities.
Ag
es 7-12 | M-F | 8:30am-3:30pm
RES $200/NR $250
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Jun 19-23
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Jun 26-30
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Jul 11-15
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Jul 17-21
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July 24-28
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Jul 31-Aug 4
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Aug 7-11
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Aug 14-18
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*Camp counselors have experience working with children and are trained in CPR and First Aid.
Camp Forms
Parents/guardians must complete additional Camp Forms in order for campers to participate in Farm Camp. Forms are available online at stcparks.org under Quick Clicks.
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Let the Primrose Farm staff tailor a one-of-a-kind scouting program to learn about agricultural farming, animal care and husbandry, environmentalism and hands-on history to meet your specific badge needs! All scout troops are invited to work alongside the farmers and educators for a unique learning experience.
Caring for farm animals, milking cows, tending to the vegetable gardens, beekeeping, hiking trails, wagon rides and exploring historical sites are just some of the activities available.
Boy Scouts: Custom Programs
Boy Scout Badges
Eagle Scout Projects
Girl Scouts: Custom Programs
Girl Scout Badges and Journeys
Gold Award Projects
These 1-hour programs are offered weekdays and Saturdays at your troops' convenience. Fee is $5 per scout. A tractor-drawn hayride can be added as an additional $2 per person.
To schedule a program or for more details,
call 630-513-4370.
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Celebrate your Birthday
with a Barnyard Bash
at Primrose Farm!
Dress up in your overalls,
bandannas and boots for some fabulous and festive farm fun.
Weather permitting,parties are held either in the Summer Kitchen, under a picnic pavilion or at a picnic table in the farmyard.
For ages Ages 3-12
Available April to October
To reserve a date, call 630-513-4370.
For more info, click here.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Do you need community service hours for school, scouts or church? Are you looking for an opportunity to get your hands dirty and give back to the community?
Primrose Farm is always in search of volunteers to help with livestock chores, gardening and farm clean up. Ages 15 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
For more information click here, or call 630-513-4370.
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Saturday, October 7
Moonlight Hayrides
Fridays & Saturdays, October 6, 7, 13, 14, 21 & 22
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All programs are held at Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles (unless otherwise noted).
630-513-4370 | primrosefarmpark.com
RES=Resident / NR=Nonresident
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