Mādahòkì Farm opens new activities to the public

Since their move in 2021 to replace the former Lone Star Ranch, Mādahòkì Farm has been welcoming students and businesses for group experiences around the 164-acre farm. They have also been known for their annual Summer Solstice Festival, which just happened last month on June 21-22.

As of July, the farm will be open from Thursday to Sunday, with programming available each day. Every Saturday will have open farm play for families looking to snuggle with some farm animals, and Sunday programming will include a tour of the farm and a dreamcatcher-making workshop. And perhaps the most fascinating: they are launching a Mishtadim Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) program, which allows visitors to experience endangered Ojibwe Spirit Horses first-hand.

These experiences range in prices, but the farm itself will still be free to explore with several trails available. Self-guided tours will also be more and more accessible come September: the farm is currently putting together a new augmented reality app, which visitors will be able to interact with as they explore and scan QR codes alongside trails.

I was welcomed to tour the farm with other media, take part in their new EAL program, and taste some new Grab & Go Indigenous offerings prepared by Mādahòkì Farm’s culinary team. It was my first time visiting the farm, but I immediately felt at home. The folks working there were incredibly welcoming and helpful, answering each question with knowledge and humour.

Starting off, we were offered some locally made Ziibiins Nibi wild berry chai sparkling water and cedar mint sparkling water, which was a refreshing delight in the humid weather.