A Barn for Rosebud
Help Gibbs Farm House Their Animals
Gibbs Farm helps bring Minnesota’s history to life by introducing students to the various types of farm animals the Gibbs family would have raised. Sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, geese, and chickens delight visitors of all ages, many of whom have never encountered these animals before. Visiting animals provides a total sensory experience; the sounds, smells, and sights animals provide engage visitors and help connect the past with the present.
RCHS has embarked on a campaign to build a four-seasons barn for its animals, with its unofficial mascot, Rosebud the goose, leading the cause. This new barn will help ensure the year-round health, safety, and comfort of the 15 beloved animals who make their home at Gibbs Farm.
A 20’x32’ barn and chicken coop combination, built by a Minnesota company, will address improved animal care, safety, and interpretation on a year-round basis. Fully insulated with electric and water connections, the barn will provide enhanced opportunities to learn about agriculture and animal husbandry. Children attending summer camps will also have improved access to the animals, allowing them to participate in the animals’ care.
An integrated chicken run will connect the new barn with the heritage apple orchard. Chickens, ducks, and geese will provide non-toxic pest control for the apples, ensuring a bountiful fall harvest in time for Gibbs Farm’s annual Apple Festival. The larger chicken coop will provide space for a larger flock of heritage breed chickens… and a rooster! Gibbs Farm’s chickens and ducks produce an abundance of eggs that are shared with the local community.