Goat Farm in DeLand - All about True Trail Farms
Looking for fun on the farm? Check out True Trail Farms!
This place has hands-on activities, live farm animals, and the opportunity to experience a working farm. The best part is that there is no admission fee, and all visits are donation-based.
My family and I are DeLand locals. I grew up in the area and spent many childhood days strolling the historic downtown area. I even went to Stetson University, and now that I am married with kids, I get to share some of my favorite places with them. True Trail Farms is actually new to my family and me. I was looking for a local goat farm, and when I found it online, I immediately contacted the owners. They were eager to have us and our friends come out to the farm, and it did not disappoint.
Keep reading to learn about everything you can do with your family at True Trail Farms.
Where is True Trail Farms DeLand?
The farm is situated in West Volusia, just 45 minutes from Orlando and 30 minutes from Daytona Beach. You can find it at 1075 East Plymouth Avenue, DeLand. Despite its location, it's a perfect spot for a goat farm, preserving agricultural land in a predominantly suburban area. On arrival, it may seem like you've just come to someone's house, and you wouldn't be entirely wrong. The owners, Mike and Kathy Densmore, actually live on the farm.
Why a Goat Farm?
The answer is simple: goats are cute and fun, so why wouldn't you want to visit? Moreover, this is a place for hands-on learning. The owners will give you a tour of the farm and provide insights into running a small local farm. As it's a working farm, you and your kids will witness firsthand what it takes to make a farm successful. There will be plenty of fun and memorable moments, creating opportunities for photo ops and lasting memories.
Milk a Goat
Arrive early in the day to catch the morning goat milking. Contact the owners to coordinate the best arrival time so you don’t miss out. The owners will demonstrate goat milking, and visitors will also have the opportunity to try milking a goat themselves. I really enjoyed this part of the visit. It was more challenging to get the milk flowing than I expected. The goats are well-behaved and used to being milked; they actually seem to enjoy it, so it’s a good experience for everyone.
Hold a Baby Goat
Absolutely! If milking a goat isn't your thing, maybe holding a baby goat is. There's nothing sweeter for me than holding a baby, whether it's a human, dog, cat, or a GOAT! When we visited, there were two babies, and we could hold them for as long as we wanted. They were incredibly cute and sweet. Even our teenagers were excited about it. It's not only a wonderful experience but also a great opportunity for photos!
Search for Chicken Eggs
True Trail Farms has free-roaming chickens in addition to goats, which means that there are chicken eggs scattered throughout the farm. Our group found quite a few, but be sure to ask before disturbing a nest. True Trail Farms also has many chicks running around with their mamas, so not all the eggs are for eating. Watching the hens and chicks exploring the farm was very cute.
Find the Hidden Objects and Win a Prize!
Kids will love the hidden object game. Many balls (bowling, tennis, etc.) are scattered around the farm. If the kids find them, they can win a special prize! It sounds easier than it is. We had 7 kids on the search, and although they did not find all of them and didn’t win the prize, they still had a great time.
Buy Farm Fresh Products
While you are visiting, make sure to check out their selection of farm-fresh products made right there from plants and animals grown on the farm.
Some of the items available are:
Goat milk
Goat cheese
Free-range eggs
Goat milk soap
Candles
Extend your Stay
If a quick goat visit at True Trail Farms isn’t enough, you can extend your stay with a few different options!
There is an onsite studio apartment that is pet—and family-friendly and sleeps 4. It has a full kitchen, queen bed, and futon. Wake up each morning to free eggs directly from the farm. During your stay, explore the 3 acres of gardens and wilderness.
Camp at the Farm
Yep, you can RV camp or tent camp on the farm! Experience the farm while still being close to civilization. If you have only camped at RV parks or other campgrounds, I highly recommend staying at a farm. Years ago my family and I got to RV camp on a farm in Florida. It was nice to share the space with only one other camping family and farm animals.
More to Do in the Area
If you want to add other outdoor activities and opportunities to see wildlife, consider these:
