Spring Valley's Volkening Heritage Farm welcomed new piglets

A full chorus of “oinks” can be heard in the hog house at Spring Valley's Volkening Heritage Farm.

Schaumburg Park District's 1880s living history farm, located at 201 S. Plum Grove Road, welcomed 10 new piglets this summer. The farm's Berkshire sow gave birth to dark black, full-bred Berkshire piglets. They are her first litter this year.

And the newest residents are a hit with even the youngest visitors.

“They're cute,” said Ella Morrone, 3, a recent visitor to Heritage Farm. “I like the little piggies the best.”

Ella joined her mother Siri and brother Santino, 4, on a recent trip to the Farm. The trio visited the barn, visitor center, and hen and farm houses before stopping by the hog house to learn about the pigs from Farm Operations Coordinator Evan Zimmerman.

“It's rare for all the piglets to survive birth,” said Zimmerman. “The mother seems happy with the full litter and hungry little mouths.”

When they're not feeding or napping, the piglets keep cool in the hog house and occasionally run through the mud in their pen.

The piglets are cared for daily by Farm volunteers and staff. Children ages 8 to 12 in Farmer Boot Camp also feed and care for the piglets and other animals on Heritage Farm.

Heritage Farm's other camps including Animal Crackers, Chores and Chortles, and Wee Sprouts will also have the opportunity to visit and learn about the Farm's newest additions. Registration for Farm camps is now available at parkfun.com or at the District's registration facilities.

Heritage Farm is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The farm's interpretative program runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, call (847) 985-2102 or visit www.parkfun.com.