3418 Goodin Rd. Spencerville, ON K0E 1X0

https://www.happylittlefarmstead.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/happylittlefarmstead

info@happylittlefarmstead.com

Happy Little Farmstead offers an authentic farm experience through educational programs, seasonal events, and community outreach. Visitors can explore the farm, celebrate special occasions in a peaceful country setting and enjoy quality farm-fresh products. With a focus on learning, relaxation, and connection, the farm provides a welcome space to experience the charm of rural live. Follow on Facebook for latest farm news and upcoming events!

Farm Directory - Feature Story

By Tanya Hammond

Located in the heart of Spencerville is a happy young couple caring for happy and friendly farm animals at the Happy Little Farmstead. I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Lea and Alex, Owners of Happy Little Farmstead, while taking a tour of their agri-tourism event venue.

Lea and Alex’s story is one of love for each other, the land, their animals and a love of place. Lea, who grew up on the family farm where Happy Little Farmstead is located, has the utmost praise for her mother and father and credits them for her love of agriculture.

Lea’s parents moved to Spencerville, Ontario, from their homeland, Switzerland, in 1993. They established and operated a dairy farm for thirty years before deciding to sell their cows and quota. They transitioned from milking in 2020, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The retirement from a dairy farm meant the barns were empty, though the farm remains a working farm focused on cash crops.

Simultaneously, the pandemic resulted in the return of Lea and Alex who were away at University in Ottawa. Lea recounts finding peace and comfort in nature and the farm. Soon after returning to the farm in April of 2020, Lea and Alex decided to start Happy Little Farmstead, setting out to use the recently emptied barns to offer the community fun and educational farm experiences.

Lea, who went to school for History and Art History intending to work in a museum, worked at the Agricultural Museum while in Ottawa, where she first fell in love with the idea of being able to educate young and old on everything farm-related. She was also the program coordinator for a popular agritourism-based apiary in Ottawa, where she became experienced in planning and hosting events and entertaining crowds.

Alex, who currently works off the farm as an electrical apprentice, says his farming knowledge comes from Lea and her family, who he admires, saying he has learned a lot from working alongside Lea’s dad.

The transformation from dairy barn and heifer barn to event space and animal barn lasted until October 2022, when they were finally ready to open the doors to the public.

Upon introducing their farm and event space to the public, Lea and Alex were met with overwhelming support, and Lea immediately made this her full-time job. At the same time, Alex also devotes his days off and after-work hours to the operation. The two say they were shocked when three hundred guests attended the grand opening. The first year was a busy one with their own wedding plans worked into the mix. Lea says they hosted events for every holiday imaginable that first year to see what worked and what area residents responded to.

Initially, Lea reports that probably ninety percent of their visitors were from nearby Brockville; however, now they regularly see people from Ottawa, Kemptville, and the area. The biggest surprise since opening, Lea and Alex say, was the great response and community support they have received. For instance, during the first Family Day event they hosted, they planned to have maybe thirty people but ended up with two hundred and fifty people to entertain.

The Happy Little Farmstead special events are the most popular service offered so far. With Easter weekend fast approaching, they have family and student volunteers on hand to help with all the various tasks needed to greet and entertain visitors. Last year, there were twelve hundred guests over the four-day weekend. Even more are anticipated to come through the doors this weekend, as Lea and Alex have an abundance of family-friendly activities planned.

I got a sneak peek before little ones are eagerly vying for the attention of The Easter Bunny and Little Bo Peep and her sheep. The three little lambs that blatted and greeted me in the barn were my absolute favourite. They were so cute and ready for all the petting one could give them. A second close favourite was the baby bunnies, fuzzy bundles of baby farm animal bliss. The chicks and chickens were also fun to watch and made me miss having my own hens.

Did I mention there are pigs, calves, donkeys, and more? Of course, the friendly barn cats were a constant companion. Lea and Alex tell me the cats are a favourite among the kids who visit, so much so that Lea brought in a stuffed animal to sell at the shop that resembles the popular kitties.

The cute little gift shop is filled with farm-related books for kids, cute stuffed farm animals, colourful and natural farm character beeswax candles, and lovely wooden cows hand carved in Switzerland and brought back from there by Lea’s parents while they were visiting back home. I learned that Lea’s mom, Martine, makes the candles, a few of which I couldn’t resist because who doesn’t want a funny pink pig beeswax candle? I also bought some educational farm books for my youngest grandkids.

Speaking of grandkids, they would love the huge (60’ x 70’) space with the biggest corn box for playing in that I have seen. There is also a bright red barn with a slide, ride-on toy tractors to zoom around on, jumbo yard-type games and ample seating spaces at big wooden tables. Again, Lea and Alex were quick to mention how helpful Lea’s parents have been with Lea’s dad, helping build structures and providing lumber freshly cut from his portable sawmill.

It is no surprise that birthday parties are the next most popular service offered at the farm, with such a great space for kids to play. Lea and Alex said the winter weekends are always booked full with birthdays, and because the space is heated with in-floor heat and big box heaters on the wall, they can host parties all year round. Alex jokingly commented that the best compliment is when a kid starts crying because they don’t want to leave. Usually, parents can negotiate by giving the kids a few more minutes to enjoy the place and pet some of the animals once more, promising to visit again.

Their popular wagon rides around the farm and their corn maze are other noteworthy highlights, as are their special events. Lea and Alex make sure to give back to their community by waving their entrance fee to their Christmas Holiday at the Farm & Market event and requesting donations instead to donate to a local cause. This past December, they donated $1,550 to The Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Leeds and Grenville from all the donations they received at the door.

Happy Little Farmstead continues to grow, and Lea and Alex have endless plans for the future. The young couple says they saw a need for the agri-tourism services they provide in the area, and they will keep responding to consumer requests. When asked what the biggest challenge has been since opening, Lea and Alex commented, “It’s a really positive one: keeping up with the growing interest! We’ve been so fortunate to have such an incredibly supportive community, and things have been evolving so quickly that our biggest challenge is simply keeping up.”

Lea and Alex said they are now in a place where they need help running the farm while representing Happy Little Farmstead at festivals and local events. They are discussing the need for weekend employees. With so much on their plate, the young business owners admit that it is a full-on lifestyle for them, often working twelve-hour days, seven days a week, but say they wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s been the most rewarding adventure, and we’re so excited to see what’s next,” commented Lea. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Happy Little Farmstead, too.

For more information about Happy Little Farmstead, visit www.happylittlefarmstead.ca, e-mail info@happylittlefarmstead.com or visit 3418 Goodin Rd. Spencerville, ON (it’s a paved road all the way). You will be happy you did!

Open weekly for Drop-In Visits, seasonal Farm Events, Kids Birthday Parties, and More! Easter at the Farm is Friday, April 18^th to April 21^st, daily, from 10 am to 3 pm.