Lisa M.
Yelp
Bergey's Breadbasket & Barnyard (BBB) is a small bakery/sandwich deli/ice cream shop on a family owned, working farm that offers a petting farm.
-- The Barnyard --
BBB's petting farm was the highlight that prompted us to head over from VA Beach. BBB offers an enjoyable petting farm with opportunities for children (& adults) to interact with, visit, and pet the animals. Overall the animals appeared well cared for. The visiting areas include clear signage and while worn were well kept. There was very little shade except for near the enclosures for the cows and "kitty city" and inside the barn itself (ponies, bunnies). The early afternoon was sweltering in the August heat.
-- The Animals --
BBB's farm animals include goats and kids, cows and calves, piglets, ponies, cats and kittens, bunnies, and more. You can offer feed to the goats from outside the enclosures (which are clearly marked with warnings that the larger ones may headbutt the pen). Or you can go inside the pens for a closer visit of some of the animals like the goats, piglets, and kitties, and there's an area in the barn to sit and hold the bunnies. BBB's website talks about bonding with the animals, and being able to go in many of the enclosures and feed the calves a bottle offered meaningful opportunities for interaction. My favorite was the very friendly brown & white cow, and my toddler's favorite was the piglets, who he joined in their pen and gently pet.
-- Visitors & Other To-Dos --
While it wasn't crowded, there were several families visiting at the time of our visit; parents supervised their children while the children were interacting with the animals. We were glad to see guests treating the animals well! There is a sandbox, an area with pedal tractors, and basketball hoops, so there's a lot to keep family members busy.
-- Ice Cream & Seating --
We stopped by the market and tried their fresh ice cream--delicious! There isn't room to eat inside, and there are limited chairs on the porch and limited covered outdoor picnic tables, so without many shade options, we didn't stay to try out the sandwiches. The flowers make for a pretty sitting area and despite it being mid-afternoon, there were customers enjoying BBB's fare.
-- Prices --
Costs are more than reasonable. Prices (as of 8/14/21): Petting Farm Admission $4. Ages 65 & older are free. (Not posted/guaranteed, but our baby was free.) Add ons: $3/small goat feed cup, $5/bottle for calves, $5/pony ride (45 lb maximum), $0.25/handful of goat feed. Hours: Monday - Saturday 9am - 6pm. (Closed Sundays.)
-- Takeaway --
While it is a bit out of our way, we very much enjoyed it and will return, hopefully on a cooler day!