CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — In the middle of Chicago’s West Side lies a unique attraction: an urban goat farm.
“We moved to this neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago about 20 years ago, and we found that these goats have worked real well with the community,” said David Ioder.
David and his wife Carolyn operate Glenn Art Farm, a goat farm in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. Their goats wander the alleys as they alternate between the Ioder’s home-turned-farm and the local community garden. Ioder said they operate the only certified dairy farm in the city of Chicago thanks to his wife’s hard work.
“She is actually the goat whisperer,” David said.
The couple hold different events, including goat yoga, birthday parties, Airbnb stays and most recently a partnership with a local brewery: Brews ’n’ Baahs.
“People come here for about 45 minutes to an hour to hang out with the goats,” said David. “Then they go just two blocks to One Lake Brewery, and they get a flight of beer.”
One Lake Brewery has worked with the Glenn Art Farm since the beginning of the pandemic. The owners, Jason Alfonsi and Shawn Stevens, said working with the farm gave the community a chance to escape from COVID-19 worries with the help of animals and beer.
“We’re tucked in an area that maybe people don’t appreciate or think about as a kind of urban oasis, as we’re surrounded by parks,” Alfonsi said.
The brewery sits between Austin park, Stevenson park, and Glenn Arts farm. The historic bank turned brewery is serving up craft drinks with a locally sourced menu.
“If you’re looking for something to do, check out the goats at Glenn Arts Farm, and then come over to an old bank building that’s been converted into a great brewpub with a rooftop,” Alfonsi said. “We hope to see you soon.”
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