Schaumburg heritage farm welcomes new arrivals
A few more “oinks” and another “moo” can now be heard on Schaumburg's Volkening Heritage Farm at Spring Valley. The farm, 201 S. Plum Grove Road, welcomed two sows, a boar and a calf.
A Berkshire duo of a black sow and a boar, and a Chester White sow arrived from a Marengo farm in early September. The trio joins a red Tamworth sow in the hog house. The new additions are heritage breeds, traditional livestock breeds raised by farmers in the 1880s. They will be used for breeding and demonstrations.
Berkshire pigs originated in England were considered the pigs of royalty. The breed was domesticated and raised on farms after it was imported to America. Chester White pigs have an American origin with roots in Chester County, Penn. The breed is known for producing pork products.
“We hope these pigs produce many litters in years to come,” said Evan Zimmerman, farm operations coordinator. “They are all a good representation of the breeds present in the 1880s.”
The hog house wasn't the only building on the farm to have new occupants. Bertha, a 9-month-old milking shorthorn heifer calf, joins Otto, Heidi and Lottie in the barn. The calf spends her days in the fields and will be bred to eventually be used in milking demonstrations.
Bertha has existing ties to Heritage Farm. She is related to Hanna, a former resident on the farm.
“It's always neat to have new animals on the farm, especially ones related to other farm residents,” Zimmerman said.
For more information, call (847) 985-2100 or visit www.parkfun.com.