Comfort Creatures

THERE WERE NEIGHS, brays, bleats, and tweets.

These were just average ordinary greetings from the friendly two and four-legged residents at Brookhollow’s Barnyard in Boonton Township. Some, like the horses, alpacas, and sheep, even came up close as if expecting a selfie.

The 100-acre multi-generational owned and operated “barnyard,” is situated on Rockaway Valley Road, at the intersection of Kinnelon, Powerville, and Denville Roads, which is affectionately referred to by locals as the Four Corners.

60 of the acres are dedicated to the more than 200 animals who call it home. About 80% of the furry and feathered friends living here were rescued and are living out their best lives, being tended to by family and visitors eager to indulge them with cups of carrots.

BEGINNINGS

The property lends its history to John and Edna Johanson, who purchased it in the 1670s for the sole purpose of land preservation. “There was no product involved or envisioned for the land other than hay,” says Annelise Wisniewski who handles the administrative side of things. In a case of putting the hay before the horse, the farm became home to Dutch Warmbloods, which were bred and shown successfully.

In 1999, the farm changed species and dedicated itself to alpacas. It was the 90s, and alpacas were having a moment, Wisniewski says.

“The farm became well known in the alpaca community,” she says. “The alpaca shows and auctions brought enthusiastic visitors and buyers from across the country.”

The alpaca auctions were one of Wisniewski’s first and fondest memories of her family farm. She is the granddaughter of the original owners, and now the farm is in the hands of Tina Krawczyk and Nancy Johanson. When it comes to barnyard operations and animal care, it’s all hands-on deck. In addition to Wisniewski, her three older brothers, Connor, Reid, and Chad Silverstein, help out alongside five outside employees.

A HOME FOR ALL

Then along came Krawczyk, who opened the farm to all creatures, including but not limited to sheep, goats, cows, ducks, pigs—even a peacock. The farm has become a destination for goat yoga, as in practicing yoga in the company of the four-legged companions, at least the ones that don’t have horns.

Besides, what’s a little downward dog between goats and humans? The goats are also available for 30-minute goat cuddling sessions.

Goats aside, the farm has been the go-to destination for school trips and serves as a safe haven for city children to explore the outdoors. Brookhollow’s also operates a summer camp for children aged 4 to 10.

With fall rounding the bed, the barnyard will be hopping. It’s all aboard the cow train or a tractor ride to tour the farm or fetch fresh pumpkins in their harvest.

So, what’s in the future? Maybe expanding to include apple picking, but for now, maintaining a thriving multigenerational farm will do just fine, Wisniewski says.

Brookhollow’s Farm is located at 301 Rockaway Valley Road in Boonton Township. The farm is open from May 1 to Oct. 31.

BY ELLEN S. WILKOWE