Hands-On Learning:
The farm is a classroom where lessons of the land and livestock come to life.
Urban Agriculture Matters:
In the Twin Cities, many children have little to no exposure to farming and agriculture.
Conservation of Rare Breeds:
By raising heritage breeds that are disappearing, Dodge preserves agricultural biodiversity.
Real Working Farms:
Dodge's two farms are small-scale, operational models of one of Minnesota's essential industries.
Choose one, many, or mix-and-match to add to your cart — it all helps make environmental education at Dodge possible!
Each year, we are home to 1.5 million honey bees at our two apiaries, where they pollinate plants, produce honey, and help teach beekeeping classes. As part of our working farm, these buzzy creatures are the smallest livestock you’ll find at Dodge, playing an important role in our agricultural operations.
Small hay and straw bales are used at the Main Property, stored in the barn loft, and tossed through a hatch down to the stalls below — an old-fashioned farm system that still works great today. Used for both bedding and food, we need to maintain a consistent stock for use every day!
Quail are the smallest birds on the farm, and we both purchase and hatch chicks each year. Their small eggs occasionally show up in cooking programs (though they’re a bit finicky to work with, as they’re awfully tiny!). As a working farm, quail also play a role in sustainably feeding our onsite raptors.
Our chickens aren’t just barnyard favorites — they’re rare and heritage breeds like Silver Laced Wyandotte, Cuckoo Marans, and Blue Andalusian. We also keep Whiting True Blue hens, famous for their brilliant blue eggs. These birds help conserve agricultural biodiversity while giving students a colorful, hands-on introduction to where food comes from.
Fluffy, peeping baby chicks are often a child’s first chance to gently hold a farm animal. We hatch and raise chicks each year, creating meaningful hands-on moments that help build empathy and care for living things. These tiny bundles of warmth spark big connections — and unforgettable smiles.
Our pigs are Guinea Hogs, a rare heritage breed original to the United States. At one point, there were as few as 200 individuals remaining. By breeding them and contributing tissue to a national germplasm (a deep-freeze DNA bank) we help preserve their genetics for the future.
We raise Guinea Hogs at Dodge, and these piglets are especially meaningful because their breed was once on the brink of extinction! Each litter helps build the population and carry important genetics forward. It’s conservation work wrapped up in small, squeaky packages.
We raise Clun Forest sheep, a heritage breed named after a market town in England and brought to North America in the 1970s. Their calm, easygoing nature makes them a great fit for a learning farm, and the Shepard Farm flock remains purebred to help preserve the genetics of this specific breed.
The first babies ever born at the Shepard Farm Property were a pair of lambs! When they need some extra support, staff provide round-the-clock care, from bottle feedings to overnight stays at home (often in a bathtub). It’s hands-on work that helps give these little ones a strong start.
Large hay and straw bales keep the animals at Shepard Farm well fed and cozy, especially during Minnesota winters. Stored in the pole barn and moved with farm equipment, these bales efficiently supply food and bedding for multiple species.
Between the Main and Shepard Farm Properties, we care for about 300 chickens. That’s a lot of small beaks to keep fed every single day! They eat a balanced crumble feed that supports growth, egg production, and overall health.
Our pigs receive a wholesome, organic feed mix rich in peas and lentils, with limited soy and corn. This balanced nutrition supports their growth, health, and overall well-being. They also enjoy occasional produce from our onsite teaching gardens and pumpkins left over from seasonal programs.
Arapawa goats are among the rarest livestock breeds in the world. By some estimates, there are as few as 200 individuals remaining. They trace their roots to goats brought to New Zealand in the 1600s and were preserved on a small island for generations. Supporting them helps protect a critically rare breed and share their story with visitors.
With only around 200 Arapawa goats believed to exist worldwide, each kid born at Dodge is especially meaningful! These goats trace their origins to animals brought to New Zealand in the 1600s and through careful breeding, Dodge is helping strengthen the future of this critically rare breed.
The Shepard Farm pastures were once corn and soybean fields. Restoring them takes time, and we’re working toward diverse prairie plantings of grasses, clover, and prairie turnip. Over time, this will create healthier forage and better habitat for wildlife and pollinators.
Gentle cows graze the pastures at Shepard Farm, offering a peaceful glimpse of Cottage Grove’s farming roots. They enjoy hay, pasture grass, and minerals while helping teach about sustainable agriculture. Their presence connects today’s community to the land’s agricultural history.
Each year, we welcome calves who require bottle feeding and lots of attention. As the babies of the largest farm animal species at Dodge, their friendly personalities and charismatic demeanor make them instant favorites, offering a delightful presence in Dodge’s traditional farming landscape.
From vaccinations to hoof trimming, our farm team provides expert daily care for every animal. When specialized treatment is needed, we partner with trusted livestock veterinarians. Supporting veterinary care helps keep all our animals healthy, comfortable, and thriving.
Plus 1.5 million honey bees!
Farm Locations
Rare Breeds
Species
Farm Animals
Questions?
Please reach out to us at: [email protected]