Barnyard breakdown Old MacDonald’s Farm in Humble oers patrons a number of ways to get up close and personal with animals, but it also features several other attractions to keep visitors entertained. • Duck pond • Train ride • Swimming pool (seasonal) • Volleyball court • Petting zoo pens • Hay barn • Sand mountain • Indian village
Visitors can go on a train ride that circles most of the Old MacDonald’s Farm property.
BUSINESS FEATURE
Mitchell Wilkerson, co-owner and operator of Old MacDonald’s Farm in Humble, stands near the front entrance of the farm.
WESLEY GARDNERCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
WESLEY GARDNERCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
OldMacDonald’s Farm Family-run business remains Humble mainstay decades later O ld MacDonald’s Farm has been a com- munity staple for school eld trips and family outings since 1991. But for Mitchell BY WESLEY GARDNER
the word about the new establishment. “In the beginning, [my parents] let schools in [for eld trips] for free,” Mitchell said. “The theory was if we let the schools in for free, the parents would see it and say, ‘Oh, I want to do a birthday party there.’ It’s like a snowball eect.” According to Mitchell, it took a few months for the business to gain popularity, and three decades later, that popularity has persevered. Mitchell said two of the farm’s most popular attractions have been the train and pony rides, noting the business is one of the few in the area that feature a train on rails. He also pointed to a handful of seasonal oerings that have become customer favorites, including summer access to the facility’s swimming pool, a winter wonderland setup designed to serve as a backdrop for holiday photos and an annual pumpkin patch. While Mitchell noted he did not foresee himself taking over the family business as he was growing up, he has found a lot of joy in operating the farm, especially when he gets to work with children. “When they get o the bus, they’re all wide eyed and happy,” Wilkerson said. “When they get back on the bus as I’m putting their stu up, they’re just as excited. That lets me know that we have some- thing good here.”
Wilkerson, it has helped dene his life. Mitchell’s parents, Donald and Susanne Wilker- son, opened Old MacDonald’s Farm in March 1991 after the pair visited several drive-through safaris that let them get up close with exotic animals. “They always noticed the most popular part was the cheesy section at the end where they had goats and people … could touch the animals,” Mitchell said. “They had the idea to just open up a place where you can pet the animals, and that’s how [Old MacDonald’s Farm] was born.” While Donald and Susanne are still part owners of the business, they have since handed the reins to Mitchell to operate and manage the facility. Old MacDonald’s Farm oers a number of activities for visitors to enjoy, including access to 12 petting zoo barns with animals including sheep, goat, llamas, pigs, tortoises and cows. Additionally, the farm features a train that circles most of the property, pony rides, a seasonal swim- ming pool and several playgrounds for children. Upon opening, Mitchell said the business primar- ily relied on word-of-mouth advertising to spread
The baby animals pen—featuring a rotating group of young animals—is one of the most popular attractions.
COURTESY OLD MACDONALD’S FARM
OldMacDonald’s Farm 3203 FM 1960 E., Humble 281-446-4001 www.oldmacdonaldsfarmtexas.com Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
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