Friends of Slate Run Farm
Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Slate Run Living
Historical Farm?
Slate Run Living Historical Farm is a working reenactment of an 1880’s Ohio farm. The staff and volunteers are dressed in period costumes and do the daily chores that were part of family farm life during this time. All of the tools, machinery, household goods and animals are authentic for the period. Slate Run Farm’s mission is to provide opportunities for people to discover and experience nature, and to learn more about Ohio’s farm life and history in the 1880’s.
Where is it located?
SLATE RUN LIVING HISTORICAL FARM
1375 State Route 674 N.
Canal Winchester, OH 43110
The farm is located about 20 minutes southeast of Columbus, Ohio. For directions, go to www.metroparks.net.
When can I visit?
Slate Run Farm is open year-round. For an up to date schedule, please check out the official Metro Parks Website at www.metroparks.net. At the top of the page, click on "Parks". Then click on "Farm Seasonal Operating Hours."
- Guided Tours: School groups can schedule tours from mid-March through June and mid-August through mid-December by calling 614.508.8111. Please call at least two weeks in advance to schedule.
- Self-guided tours: Other groups of 15 or more may call 614.508.8111 to schedule self-guided tours.
How Much Does it Cost?
It's free!
Who Are the People in the Old-Fashioned Clothes?
They're either Metro Parks naturalists who run the farm and help visitors experience typical daily farm life of the 1880's or dedicated volunteers who enjoy working on the farm and sharing their experiences with visitors.
Can We Pet the Animals?
Usually, it's fine. Sheep and cows are kept either in the barn or in the fields during the day. Horses will be in their stalls resting or they will be harnessed and outside somewhere on the farm working with the farmers.
When the farmers are bringing the horses out of the barn to get them ready to work, they will often stop and let visitors take turns petting them. When a farmer is with a horse and invites you to pet, then it's a safe time and you are welcome to approach the horses.
When a horse is in harness, please don't go up and try to pet them or stand in the road in front of them to take a photo. The horses will be concentrating on the work at hand and are not always aware of bodies and little fingers that may be in their way. Give them plenty of space.
As for the other animals, if an animal choses to come up to the fence (barn, stall or pasture) within reaching distance, you're welcome to pet them. Most of them are very used to being petted and enjoy it. Sometimes animals (like people) get tired. So if they step away from the fence and back up out of reach, this is their way of saying, "I need a break. Please don't pet me right now."
This is especially true of our barn cat. She likes people and being petted, but sometimes she just wants a break. We do ask that visitors do not pick her up or chase her. She does not like this.
Pigs are kept in the pig pen. Adult pigs like to be left alone. Mom pigs are extremely protective of their babies so if you are with young children, it's usually good to "visit" them from a distance.
When there are babies (usually from March to June), the farm staff will often bring one (lamb, piglet, calf, chick, duckling, etc) out of the barn, pen or pasture and sit down with it so that visitors can pet it and learn more about it.
How Can I Find Out What Programs are Being Offered this Month?
Click on the link to This Month at the Farm for activities that will happen in the next month or so. For programs scheduled in upcoming months, check the official Metro Parks website at www.metroparks.net.
Only a few programs require preregistration. To preregister, log on to the official Metro Parks website at www.metroparks.net. Click on "Programs" at the top of the page. Then click on "Find and Register For Programs." Select the dates you are interested in. Then, under "Parks", select "Slate Run Farm". That will take you to the list of upcoming events at the farm. From that page you will find instructions on how to preregister.
Still have questions? Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you.
Email: Friends@friendsofslaterunfarm.org
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