Children love animals. They especially love animals that they wouldn't normally get to see or interact with on a typical day. Fortunately for us, we found Whispering Oaks Farms. Whispering Oaks Farms is a local, family owned and operated working farm, right here in Fort Myers, FL. Located in the rural area of the Buckingham neighborhood, they have plenty of room for animals to roam, people to visit, classes to take place, and even an overnight glamping experience in an RV!
One of the very many things that Whispering Oaks Farms offers, are mobile animal encounters. My family and I were looking to host a small event for my son and daughter's classmates. Our goal was to get them all together outside of school and create comfort and bonding time. Our hope was that they would be able to return to school with blooming friendships and a sense of belonging in their classrooms. Bonding time can be created in many ways, but seeing as children love animals, a fun way to get them together is to incorporate animals. So, I thought a great addition to our party would be to bring in a mobile petting zoo.
The author was provided a mobile animal encounter in exchange for the purpose of this review. All opinions stated are her own.
Getting in touch with Miss Ashley Pruitt, from Whispering Oaks Farm, was wonderful! She was so kind and communicative from the time I first reached out to her; I never had a question about what she offered, the booking process, arrival and setup, nor packing up the mobile animal encounter and departing. She explained everything before, during, and after, which I was truly grateful for.
Miss Ashley reached out the day prior to our party as well as the morning of. We confirmed the details and had a backup plan if it were to rain. When she and her husband (Jake) arrived, I greeted them in our driveway. I brought Miss Ashley to our backyard to determine the best location for the pens and her animals, which didn't take long at all. Then, I offered to help set things up, but they already had a whole process that worked for them -- which told me this wasn't their first rodeo!
The set up process took less than 30 minutes for them to set up the pens and bring their animals in. By then, our guests had started to arrive. When the kids realized that there were cute, fluffy, animals in our backyard, they screamed with joy! I let each of the parents know that they were allowed in the pens to pet the animals, so long as the parent's were okay with it.
For our mobile animal encounter, Miss Ashley and Mr. Jake brought three fluffy American rabbits, two adorable Kunekune piglets, one Nigerian Dwarf Goat and one Babydoll sheep. All of the animals were a hit, of course, but I saw the most visitors in the goat and sheep pen (kids and parents alike). My four-year-old son loved the rabbits the most because they were so "cute and fluffy." My daughter liked the Babydoll sheep the most because she was so "big and fluffy." My husband and I loved the little Kunekune piglets the most because, well, just look at them!
The piglets spent their time wagging their adorable little tails and eating the grass. Miss Ashley said that their grass is different at the farm, so it was a nice change of pace for them. We have St Augustine grass, which is more viney than normal grass, so I imagine the piglets had fun pulling it up in strands! If we could've, we would have kept the little guys, and I'd be willing to bet we wouldn't have to mow the lawn as much!
The goat and sheep loved to be pet and liked to nibble on our shoes, shoelaces, and some of the looser shirts. I'm pretty sure goats are famous for taste testing just about anything, so I wasn't worried. The kids all thought it was hilarious to see them nibbling on shoelaces, though!
The three little rabbits were as cute as you would expect. Some of the younger kids just liked to sit and watch their rabbit noses wiggle. It was nice to see three different colors of rabbits as well: albino, cream, and gray.
Throughout our two hour long mobile animal encounter, Miss Ashley and Mr. Jake were readily available for the parent's questions, and they were so patient and kind with all of the kiddos! We had a mixture of kids from preschool to third grade, and everyone enjoyed the animals ... just as I expected. We are so thankful that we were able to host Whispering Oaks Farm and meet just a few of their many animals.
We highly recommend Whispering Oaks Farm for all of your needs and we look forward to visiting their farm in the future for educational and interactive classes, farm school, an overnight RV experience, birthday parties, or more!
About Whispering Oaks Farm
Whispering Oaks Farm is a local family-owned and operated, Working Farm that began in November 2020.
We raise ADGA Registered Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Babydoll Sheep, Jersey Cows, Kunekune pigs, Pedigree American Rabbits, Pedigree English Angora Rabbits, as well as a variety of Chickens, Ducks & Turkey's
If you are interested in learning more about what animals we have available for rehoming, please message us.
We are proud members of the American Dairy Goat Association, the American Rabbit Breeders Association, the Livestock Conservancy & the Florida Farm Bureau Federation.
We offer a variety of classes, Public & Private Events, Mobile Animal Encounters & Camping Under the Oaks - A Unique Farm Experience. We also host homeschool events and field trips.
If you are looking for Farm Fresh - Cage Free Eggs, hand crafted natural Beeswax products, produced by the bees on our farm, cold- pressed goat milk soap, made from our fresh goat milk & other locally produced, natural products, check out our Shop Page. Items are available for purchase online, at Local Farmers Markets, or for local pickup.
We are blessed to be members of our community and love being able to share what we love, with all of you!
Thank you for your Support!
Shopping
Offering many products, fresh from the farm!
Women's Tanks, Insect Repellant, Lavender Linen Spray, Natural Beeswax Lip Balm, Goat Milk Soap, Beeswax Melt, Natural Beeswax Candle, Farm Fresh Eggs, Feed Bag Tote, and more!
Farm animals are occasionally for sale as well: rabbits, goats, pigs and poultry.
Events
Check out our full calendar, complete with Farm School, Little Acorns Nature Play, and more!
What experiences do we offer?
Farm School for Tots - Ages 2-4
3 hours per month | $30
Farm School for Tot's will be held on two separate days within a single month, from October 2022 through April 2023. Farm School is a hands-on, animal interactive, program on our family-owned farm that allows your child the opportunity to learn by doing.
Farm School - Ages 5-7
Farm School - Ages 8-10
Farm School - Ages 11-13
4 hours per month | $80
Does your child love animals? Have they ever wanted to milk a goat, give belly rubs to a pig, socialize baby rabbits, or incubate & hatch a chick? Farm School will be held one day per week for 4 weeks & repeat each month, from October 2022 through April 2023. Farm School is a hands-on, animal interactive, program on our family-owned farm that allows your child the opportunity to learn by doing. Each four-week session will follow the schedule found here.
Growing Gardeners: Little Sprouts - Ages 4-6
Growing Gardeners - Ages 7-10
8 Classes over 8 weeks | $275
Ms. Carolina will be leading this 8-week Christian-Based Gardening Class following the Campfire Curriculum. This class is not just about growing stuff in the garden but growing the kids at the same time. Ultimately, the goal is teaching them to “work the ground and keep it,” to do what God created us to do in exercising dominion and being fruitful.
Strings & Stitches - Ages 16+
8 Classes over 8 weeks | $200
Ms. Kailey's 8-week Strings & Stitches Adult Beginner Crochet Class teaches all about the foundations of crochet. Crocheted works are sculptural, creative, practical, and functional – sometimes all at the same time! If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to crochet or have simply been intrigued by and about the process of crocheting, this is the class for you. This beginners’ introduction to crochet will give you the tools to tackle fun and useful projects like phone cozies, stitch sampler scarves, farmers market bags, and classic mesh plant holders.
Little Acorns: Nature Play - Ages 0-5
1.5 hours per class | $18
We will begin our morning with a walk through the farm, where you & your child will have the chance to meet some of our animals. Then under the shade of our beautiful oak trees, we will reflect on what we all saw & experienced during our walk. The children will be invited to play with open ended materials, join in on a story time and get crafty with art materials. In this outdoor setting, your child will learn through play, in a fun and unique way. Our morning will be led by Early Childhood Educator & Owner of Gear'Em Theorem, Beret Scangarello M.S. Ed.
Story Explore - Ages 3-6
1.5 hours per class | $18
Join Ms. Beret from Gear'Em Theorem as she explores a children's book through play, art, song & craft. This unique, Outdoor, Story Exploration Time offers learning and hands on play in a beautiful & natural environment. "When you give a child the chance to play with a story, off the page, their imagination becomes ignited and the story becomes theirs." Beret Scangarello M.S. Ed. ( Gear'Em Theorem )
Hooks & Chains - Ages 7+
12 classes | $220
Ms. Kailey's Hook & Chains is an Intermediate Crochet Class for Ages 7+. In this multi-course class, students will learn how to read a crochet pattern in order to make a simple and cute octopus. This course is designed for those that already know how to do the basics in crocheting, such as doing a single crochet stitch. If you are just learning how to crochet, I HIGHLY recommend taking my beginner class first. It will teach you the very basics of crocheting! We will learn about how to do the basic stitches that are often used in amigurumi, such as making a magic circle, the single crochet increase and decrease.
Camping Under the Oaks
20 hour experience | $275
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wake up on a farm? At Whispering Oaks Farm, you can!
Come spend the night in our comfortable camper located on the backside of the farm, across from the pond and a safe distance from our honey bees. We are a working farm that raises cows, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks & turkeys. (Sleeps a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children.)
Enjoy your evening under the stars and beautiful live oaks trees, while you unplug from the rest of the world. Relax by the campfire, making s’mores or snuggle inside, in the AC, and play some board games. You can even join us for night chores if you would like.
In the morning, wake up to the sounds of the farm, & be ready to help us with chores. We will milk our goats (or cows), turn out & feed the animals & gather eggs for you to prepare your very own farm fresh breakfast. Interact with our animals in a whole new way.
Our camper will be stocked with many of our natural handmade products for you to try during your stay: Cold Pressed Goat Milk Soap, Lavender Linen Spray & Natural Bug Repellant (also available for purchase).
Birthday Party
3 hour experience | $250
A 3-hour event hosted by us under the shade of our beautiful oak trees on our working farm for up to 25 guests.
Includes: Use of the space Tables and chairs Cups, plates, silverware, napkins (in color of choosing when possible) Set up/ Clean up (can set up decorations if we receive ahead of time) Animal petting area & Farm tour (approx. 45 min) Trash cans Cooler(s) with ice
$250 - Price is based on 25 guests. For parties over 25, a charge of $5/ additional guest will be added to the invoice.
Additional Options:
- Pizza & Soda, Water - $125 | Price based on 25 guests – For parties over 25, a charge of $5/ additional guest will be added.
- Fruit, Pastries & Cheese. Water, Tea/ Coffee, Juice - $150 | Price based on 25 guests – For parties over 25, a charge of $5/ additional guest will be added.
- 10 x 10 Covered Canopy Tent with up to 4 covered sides - $40
Mobile Animal Encounter
2 hour experience | $200 | At Your Location
We will have pens set up at your location, for 2 hours with some of our farm animals, (Pig(s), Goat(s), Sheep, Rabbit(s), Chick(s)). Kids, depending on age and ability, will be able to pet and interact with the animals. Children, as well as adults will be able to enter the enclosures, with assistance from our staff. We will need to have access to water if possible.
Additional Options:
- Additional Hour - $100
- Price is based on locations within 20 miles of our farm, an additional $25/ 20 miles will be added to the final invoice.
Painting under the Oaks
2 hour experience | $40/person
Our Artist, Alexis, will lead a morning of painting under the shade of the live oak trees on our farm. Your group will be able to choose from three different painting options and will have a front row seat to our Nigerian Dwarf Goat enclosure while you paint. You'll be able to see our Free Range Chickens, Turkeys and Ducks, and have a chance to meet our beautiful Jersey Cows and Rabbits.
Supplies provided include: 16x20 canvas, paint brushes, paint
For Groups of 5-15 people All experience levels welcome!
* Price is based on a rate of $40/person with a minimum of 5 people required to book. (minimum purchase of $200)
Additionally Available:
- Mimosas ( For guests 21 and over) +$10/person
- Charcuterie Board with Farm Fresh Goat Cheese +$15/ person
- Fruit, Pastry & Juice Bar +$15/person
Private Events
2 hour experience | Pricing Varies
Want to plan an amazing party, private dinner, family get-together, private class or meeting, but need the perfect venue? Look no further!
Let us know your vision and we can take care of the hard part!
Rabbit Grooming
4 hour experience | Price Varies
Appointments are drop off / pick up and can last between 4-6 hours depending on the rabbit and its condition. In cases of severe matting, multiple appointments may be necessary.
Earlier drop off times possible if needed.
Learn more about this business and find their contact information in our business directory!
