Have you ever wondered what life would be like living on a farm? The 68-acre Learning Tree Farm (LTF) offers hands-on farm experiences for all ages and is located at 3376 S Union Road in Dayton.
I first learned about the LTF in the late eighties. I lived in the city of Dayton, and one morning two Bantam chickens showed up on my enclosed back porch. I started feeding them until I realized that my back porch was not a good place for chickens, even little Bantam chickens. After searching for a chicken refuge, someone recommended I take them to LTF, which became their new home.
Years later, I would take my grandchildren to LTF several times a month. They loved being there. We would arrive early in the morning as the LTF animals were waking up. We would pack a lunch to take with us and spend the morning exploring. The kids enjoyed playing in the nature play area. There are a couple of tractors, a playhouse, balance beams, tunnels, rocks to jump, trees to climb, and a short, wooded trail that children can explore by themselves.
You might see a few barn cats you can pet and the canine staff, Trip, Scout, and Bean. They welcome visitors, safeguard the LTF, and sometimes invite you to play a game of fetch! My grandchildren thought they were the best dogs and enjoyed playing fetch with them.
The best part of the LTF is everyone is encouraged to explore the animal pens, the herbs, vegetables, and flower gardens. For families, they have trails that are well marked that take you through meadows, hayfields, and thickets.
There are five buildings on the Farm. The Bank Barn, Tobacco Barn, Century House, Milk House/Wash House, and Smoke House. The Century House, the original homestead, was built in parts. The first part has one room downstairs with a winding staircase that leads to a room upstairs. The downstairs room was the kitchen and sitting area. The original fireplace is still usable. Over the years, six additional rooms were added, with the last addition in the late early 1900s. In the 1970s, indoor plumbing was installed.
In the Century House, you can learn how the pioneers lived. Explore the Bank Barn and the Tobacco Barn. It is encouraged to enter the pens to pet the goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens. The animals enjoy and are used to being around people.
In the early 1970s, two teachers, Sally Keyes and Jean Ryan noticed that not all students learn well in a classroom setting. They took their students on walking or biking field trips to Island Park and Triangle Park in Dayton. Students became excited about seeing “so many trees in one place,” bird nests in trees, bugs under rocks, and the river. When the students returned to school, they shared their adventures. Sally and Jean believed in the value and importance of hands-on learning! You can find the Living Tree Farm at 3376 S Union Rd. Dayton, OH 45417.
Diane Sikora
Social Media Coordinator/Intern