Cook Family Farm Tour - worth the experience - We visited the Cook Family Farm for the 1 1/2 hr tour. Laura explained their vision for the present and future of their farm. Brandon and Ivan explained how they compost, mixing & testing temperature. Laura and Ivan showed us the milking system for their goats. We met all the animals....goats, including the new angora goats, pigs and piglets, chickens, ducks, fryer chickens, their 2 guard dogs and the beavers across the street. I was able to hold a piglet and bottle feed the newest baby goat (picture to the left). Laura showed us how she feeds the other baby goats and explained the difference between different chickens. They were all happy to answer my many questions. Wear comfy clothes and boots....never know what you'll be stepping in. lol Great experience learning about how an American farm family lives and treats their animals and land. Great little farm stand in the front of their property sells their products as well as other local farms goods....goat milk soaps, jams, maple syrup, etc. A good way to support our American farmers! Check out their website: www.cookfarmny.com

Cook Family Farm Tour - an actual working farm with an American farm family - We were greeted by Laura upon arrival at the Cook Family Farm and then Ivan and Brandon. Laura offered us boot covers but we had our own high work / garden boots. I recommend wearing high boots (sloggers) then you won't worry about where or what you may be stepping in. ;) Laura gave us the history of their farm, showed us recent improvements and explained their intention for future structures and improvements. Looking forward to visiting again (a couple years) and seeing all the changes. First we visited the ducks and chickens then their pigs and new piglets, I even held a baby piglet! Ivan showed me how to take the temperature of each compost pile and Brandon explained what goes into their compost and how they mix each pile daily until eventually it will be returned for use on their farm. Laura then took us into the barn to see the male goats. She and Ivan showed us each step in the goat 'milking' process . We were also able to visit their 2 farm guard dogs who protect all the farms livestock as well as the family. Then we were off to see the 'broiler' chickens (yes, they are different then 'laying' chickens) and the mother and baby goats. (yes, male as well as female goats can each have horns) Loved holding the newest baby goat (sorry, can't remember her name but she was SO cute!!) The biggest surprise was when Laura asked if I'd like to help feed the baby goats, as they need to be fed several times a day. Laura warmed up the goats milk, placed it in a bucket with nipples around the outer bottom edge - one for each baby goat PLUS a bottle for the youngest baby goat, which I was permitted to feed. Laura, Brandon and Ivan are all happy to share their knowledge of farming and thankfully answer my many questions about the farm - past, present and future and all their animals. This tour and interaction with the Cook family and their livestock was the highlight of our trip to the Upper Adirondacks of NY. Highly recommend their farm tour - 5*