Vallejo’s Loma Vista Farms opens up to kids, families
Loma Vista Farms held an Open House on Saturday and the event served the community in an educational way. Many kids went around the farm petting chickens, rabbits, goats and sheep just to name a few.
As hundreds of kids ran around laughing and shrieking at Loma Vista Farms Saturday, Julia Allen looked around her and could only smile.
“I feel so great to be out here today and see all of the people,” the current President of Friends of Loma Vista Farms said. “We have such a loyal following with the families that come here over and over, but I’m always also looking forward to meeting new people. I have no idea how many times I’ve heard people say, “Oh my God this place is great and I never knew it was here this whole time.”
Loma Vista Farms held a Spring Open House on Saturday and the event served the community in an educational way as well as a form of entertainment.
Many kids went around the farm petting chickens, rabbits, goats and sheep just to name a few. There was also story times held for kids by Solano County Supervisor Erin Hannigan, the Vallejo Fire Department and the Vallejo Police Department. The kids were also entertained by a puppet show, which had many of the kids screaming when in delight when the pie was stolen in the story and the kids listening had to spot the culprit.
Others like 13-year-old Ivan Vo enjoyed walking around and holding some of the animals.
“I like the rabbits a lot,” Vo said. “They’re really soft and calm. But I like all the animals like the chickens and goats and that you can pet them too.”
Allen said the open-house event was a way for Loma Vista Farms to show the progress it had made, such as with the recent alpaca farm and goat barn, which were each completed in the last two years.
“We want to show people today the 10-year master plan and how we want to expand and modernize the farm,” Allen said. “Some of the buildings are now in great shape and we want to rebuild them. We want better WiFi here so the kids can have more interactive learning activities. We want to give the cows and goats more space. We’re thinking about putting the cows near where the parking lot is now or we could have them go on the hill opposite the green house.”
Working in the green house on Saturday was Vallejo City Unified School District Farmkeeper, Rita LeRoy, who said she loved the event due to “the community coming forward.”
“We’re able to celebrate this wonderful place today,” LeRoy said. “We’re only here today because of the love of the community who want to see the beauty of the gardens and the life of all the animals. This place has gotten so much help from so many organizations, whether it be physical or financial help. It’s amazing to see all these wonderful things come to life today.”
LeRoy said she often heard kids saying they wanted to see the chickens and rabbits, and both her and Allen believed that was because they were smaller and could be handled by the kids.
“I have the same kids in the after school program come each day and when they head to the chickens its as if they had just won the lottery,” LeRoy said, with a laugh. “Ad they act that way every single time.”
Event coordinator Jennifer Shinar agreed with LeRoy’s opinion.
“Just seeing all these kids excited with all the animals is what I’m here for and what keeps me coming back,” Shinar said. “But the hot item seems to be the chickens.”
Connie Klimish, the Treasure of the Board at Loma Vista, said she appreciated many things at the farm, but really liked the art being made out of wool and how kids were engaged in how people were spinning wool.
Loma Vista Farms is located at 150 Rainer Avenue and is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m..