Old MacDonald's Farm in Bever Park is maintained and operated by the Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation Department. Located on the southeast side of Cedar Rapids, it is a free petting farm that is open to the public and features farm animals and North American waterfowl. This city landmark is over 100 years old and is enjoyed by people of all ages.
GROUP TOURS
One-hour group tours of the farm are available by appointment only for all groups, including school groups and day cares. Tours are $4 per person and available weekdays between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Participants receive in-depth, hands-on experience with the animals. Call 319-286-5763 to schedule your tour.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
The first hour of your party will be a guided farm tour with a party host. In this hour, you will have hands-on contact with the animals and will be able to feed them as well. The second hour will be free time at the pavilion near the duck exhibit. The birthday child will receive a gift. Bring your own cake, snacks, and beverages. Two-hour party reservations are available May 6 - September 29 and can be scheduled between 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Call 319-286-5763 to set up your party. Reservations are required two weeks in advance. The fee is $175 per two-hour period and includes pavilion reservation and farm tour. Non-refundable.
GOAT YOGA PARTIES
Need to let go and escape the usual routine with some friends, colleagues, or family? A Goat Yoga party may be the perfect option for you! Fun and laughter are the foundation of this unusual yoga class where you can interact with these smart and social animals. Parties for ages 13 and up are available June - August. The fee is $150 for a one-hour class. Please wear appropriate clothing and bring your own mat or towel. Call 319-286-5763 to set up your party or to discuss a different age range. Reservations are required two weeks in advance.
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McDonald Farm is a place where Native Americans walked this land long before our story begins. Our Native American Land Acknowledgment Statement is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as traditional stewards of this land and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.
For 20 years, the Green Earth Institute leased a portion of McDonald Farm for their Community Supported Agriculture organic farm program which focused on education and regenerative farming practices. That partnership culminated in the 2018 merger of the two organizations, in which the Green Earth Institute became a major program of The Conservation Foundation, now known as Green Earth Harvest.
In order to ensure that her wish would be honored, Lenore gave her farm to The Conservation Foundation in 1992. Her donation specified that the property must be kept in conservation, education, and agricultural uses. Lenore retained a life estate, giving her full use of the property until her death or until she chose to relinquish the life estate. She did the latter in late 1997, passing full control of McDonald Farm to The Conservation Foundation.
Ever stubborn, Lenore continued operating the farm as she had always done. But her task increasingly became one of holding out against the encroachment of suburbia. The City of Naperville dried up ponds on the property, cut trees to widen Knoch Knolls Road, and built sewer and stormwater lines across the property. It became difficult to move farm equipment on busy suburban streets. Streets in the adjoining subdivisions were paved right up to the property line. Everything seemed to be pointing to a not very distant day when the McDonald Farm would be just another subdivision.
Sometimes greeting them with shotgun in hand, Lenore turned away the developers who stopped by to offer more and more money for the property. Even though the temptation must have been great to take the money and move beyond the reach of suburbia, she had decided that no one was going to build houses on her farm.
Our 1850s barn and granary were in dire need of new roofs. We viewed it as an opportunity to solve a problem, do the right thing for the environment and provide a helpful example of what others can do as well. Instead of simply installing traditional asphalt roofing material, we completed a renewable energy and water conservation demonstration project. The project shows our visitors real options that people can use at their homes and places of business to be good stewards of the environment.
Project Details
In an effort to make McDonald Farm a concrete example of conservation principles put to use, we have installed two rainwater harvesting systems-including one of the largest in the Chicagoland area, set up numerous rain barrels, redesigned and planted several native gardens, and restored 8 acres of wetland. We have also replaced the barn and granary roofs with high recycled content metal roofing and installed solar panels on the main barn roof. A small 60-foot wind turbine has also been installed and is spinning away. This project has four interconnected components: Rainwater Harvesting, Renewable Solar and Wind Energy, Roofing Material and Education. Click on each component title for details.
Objective: Demonstrate a new stormwater best management practice by directing 100% of all rainwater from the barn roof into the 25,000 gallon rainwater harvesting system to be used to irrigate organic vegetables.
Objective: Demonstrate a simple solar panel system and small wind turbine options for residential, commercial and agricultural purposes, and utilize the energy generated by the solar and small wind systems to power the rainwater harvesting and irrigation pumps, with any extra power generated being sent back to the grid.
Solar photovoltaic panels (2.4Kw) have been installed (in July 2010) on one side of the main barn roof that faces south by Solar Services out of Niles. This system demonstrates how easy it is to generate electricity in any situation with direct sunlight.
We have also installed (in October 2010) one 60-foot pole-mounted wind turbine (2.4 Kw SkyStream 3.7), provided by Monarch Renewable Energy of Elgin, in the adjacent farm field next to the barn. Electricity generated is metered, tracked and sent directly to the grid.
Objective: Demonstrate environmentally friendly roofing options by replacing the roof on the main barn, granary and chicken coop with recycled and environmentally friendly roofing materials.
Facing a severely degraded and leaking barn roof, we saw an opportunity to demonstrate to the public that there are environmentally friendly roofing options. Instead of replacing the roofs on the main barn, granary and attached chicken coop with traditional asphalt shingles, we chose a high recycled content metal roof called Central Guard Panel-Loc Plus manufactured by Central States Manufacturing.
Objective: Use this demonstration project as an effective public and school educational tool on environmental sustainability in general and on each component specifically, promote rainwater harvesting as a new stormwater best management practice to local units of government and the stormwater industry, and continue to showcase the McDonald Farm as a sustainable urban agricultural landscape that promotes innovation while preserving the cultural and historic nature of the site and the community.
After installation was completed, we hosted a Small Scale Renewable Energy and Water Conservation Open House and Workshop event to showcase the project and hear more about these technologies from experts in the field. Click on the titles below to see presentations from this informative day:
How You Can Help
We encourage you to visit the farm and learn more about who we are and what we are doing. Come see your donation in action as we strive to be an example of how to build better, more sustainable energy options and work to conserve water, our most precious resource.
Looking for a change of pace this weekend? Look no further. Come enjoy our 15 acre farm, loaded with petting zoo animals, pony rides, train rides & so much more. We have been bringing families & children together with nature for 30+ years, come see what makes us so special!
Founded with a passion for preserving the charm of rural landscapes, McDonald Farm has been a loved destination for generations. The commitment to sustainable agriculture and community engagement has shaped the farm into a sanctuary where nature and celebration harmoniously coexist.
Nestled conveniently on Highway 16, halfway between the bustling city of Rapid City and the majestic Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Old MacDonald's Farm offers a perfect slice of rural charm and fun right in the heart of the beautiful Black Hills. As a family-owned and operated gem, we're excited to welcome you under new ownership while maintaining the same beloved farm experience that has delighted visitors for years. Get ready to enter a world of agricultural wonder and make unforgettable memories with your family!
Our farm is not just about the animals. We offer a variety of activities that cater to every member of the family. For the little ones, pony rides and farm tours aboard our kid-sized tractor train provide an adventure that's just their size. The entire family can enjoy exploring the grounds, having a picnic in our designated area, letting loose in the playground, or finding the perfect souvenir in our gift shop, which boasts farm-related toys and keepsakes. There's truly something for everyone at Old MacDonald's Farm, making it the perfect spot for a family day out.
Located at an incredibly convenient spot, Old MacDonald's Farm is your go-to destination for an unforgettable family outing. Whether you're passing through on your way to Mount Rushmore or looking for a fun day out in Rapid City, we promise an experience filled with joy, learning, and the unbeatable charm of the farm life. Join us at Old MacDonald's Farm, where every visit is an adventure and every moment is a memory in the making. We can't wait to welcome you to our family farm! 152ee80cbc