Each year, the Lapp family invites customers to visit the farm. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn how our food is produced, explore the grounds, and enjoy a bountiful meal together. We are fortunate to have a personal connection to our food source, and for a chance to mingle with the NOHA community. Farm Day gives us a rare glimpse into authentic Amish lifestyle, and their wise and peaceful practices. 

This Coming Farm Day will be Hosted on June 8th, Saturday. Clich HERE more Info.

Guests are free to tour the barns and marvel at the fine Amish workmanship. The farm operates entirely without electricity from the power grid.

Visitors have plenty of time to stroll around the farm and explore the gardens and greenhouse.

A plentiful buffet lunch is served in the early afternoon, as guests gather around picnic tables and shade trees.

After a hearty meal, Abner leads the group on a tour of the farm.

Here we see the sprouting array which provides fresh greens for the animals year-round. The racks have a timed watering system, helped by the force of gravity to permeate the length of each tray. This provides a unique advantage over feeding dry hay during the colder months, resulting in happier animals and more nutrient-dense products.

Abner is very proud of his sprouting system! Visitors enjoy a chance to learn and ask questions.

Fresh sprouts are fed to many of the animals throughout the day.

On Farm Day 2012, we had the unique experience of meeting an infant calf born that very morning!

Later in the afternoon, we head to the fields to see the mobile poultry coops for the broiler chickens and turkeys. The shelters are moved to fresh pasture every day, and provide protection from predators.

Next, we follow Abner across the pasture to the egg-laying hens.

These hens roam freely to forage, and can go in and out of the coops as they please.

Horses pull the hen houses to fresh pasture.

Young folks enjoy an opportunity to climb aboard the hen house and gather freshly laid eggs.

Here we see Abner's youngest son looking on as visitors collect their eggs. Like the other Amish children, he was very calm and well-behaved.

Heritage breeds of cows graze peacefully in the pasture.

Amish children round up the herd for the evening milking. Traffic cones are placed in the road to alert oncoming vehicles. 

The cows safely cross the road on their way to the barn.

The "ladies" convene in their stalls inside the barn in an orderly fashion.

Here we see the process of separating cream from the fresh milk. The leftover skim milk gushes into a bucket, which is later served to the pigs.

After the evening milking, the cows return to the pasture to graze and rest for the night.

Beef cattle graze in an adjacent meadow.

After a wonderful day at Clearview, we depart with a new appreciation of the Lapps, their animals, and the hard work it takes to provide nourishing food for us all.

Photos by Kevin and Jessica

(Please Note: The Amish are not permitted to formally pose for photographs, though Abner allows guests to take photos during the event. Please be respectful of their modest customs. Thank you.)