By Kelly A. Shue
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Temple Hall Farm Regional Park, located less than ten miles from the Ashby Ponds campus in the heart of Leesburg, Va., provides both educational and recreational opportunities for adults and children eager to learn about farm animals and Loudoun County’s rich agricultural past.

Celebrating new life
Visitors to this beautiful  286-acre working farm also enjoy up-close-and- personal encounters with several heritage breeds of poultry and livestock as well as draft and miniature horses.

Each spring Temple Hall Farm invites visitors to experience the joy of new life as many farm animals celebrate the birth of their young. Living among the adult animal members of the farm community, new piglets and awkward calves can be seen learning their way in their new world.

Other visitor favorites include proud male peacocks strutting across the fields, cackling roosters, and playful sheep. Many times children and adults interact with the animals and experience their behaviors amidst their natural surroundings, separated only by a farm gate.

After an adventurous morning exploring the farm and meeting the variety of animals, visitors are encouraged to enjoy a picnic lunch or snack on the farm’s picnic tables or under the  shade of a big tree. Others may prefer a leisurely walk on the babbling brook trail over the creek and through the woods. Those visiting with grandchildren may opt instead for a relaxing hayride around the farm grounds.

Fall fun
In the fall, visitors enjoy the acclaimed Fall Festival of Fun and the giant  cornfield maze. After exploring the challenging maze, children and adults alike are invited to pick their own pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, shoot the corn cannon, ride the cow train, bounce on the cow belly bounce, or take a hayride through the farm.

Temple Hall Farm is located at 15789 Temple Hall Lane, Leesburg, and is open to the public Tuesday through  Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. now through November 2.