08/02/2007

Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Steven Shaw, 2, of Tampa, Fla., and James Rochowiak, 2, of Chesterfield Township, check out one of the miniature horses in the petting zoo at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay. The zoo features miniature goats, lambs, llamas, Vietnamese potbelly pigs and rabbits.

Wine and sheep

Black Star Farms offers petting zoo

BY JOLYNN PAIGE
Special to the Record-Eagle

Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
A Vietnamese potbelly pig in the petting zoo at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay.

SUTTONS BAY — Wine tasting may be one of the main attractions at Black Star Farms, but visitors with the inclination can get a taste of farming, too.

Tucked away on the Black Star grounds is a petting zoo, farmers market, garden and stables. Pot-belly pigs, llamas, roosters and sheep — some bearing exotic wools which Stables Manager Diane Kiessel hopes to learn to dye and spin in the near future — are just a few of the critters at the farm. People of all ages are welcome to visit, feed and pet the animals.

"We are trying to get people in touch with their farming past,” Kiessel said. "We have many families who come here for the petting zoo, and the parents go do the wine tasting in the same trip. There's really something for everyone here.”

The idea of expanding the petting zoo and building a permanent structure for a year-round farmers market has evolved slowly over the past five or so years.

"I started out here boarding my own horse, and then eventually, I started collecting more and more critters and working with them at the barn, which is what has evolved into the petting zoo,” she said.

The large red and white, neatly painted barn is surrounded by well-kept gardens. Horses gallop around the nearby fields of wildflowers, and a multi-tiered water fountain located at the entrance to the inn creates the bubbling sound of water. Hilly vineyards and classic architecture create a balance between a laid-back farm and an upscale tourist destination.

Although not a farmer growing up in her girlhood town of Mancelona, Kiessel has discovered that she loved being around animals and working with the earth. Before taking over management of the agriculture portion of Black Star Farms, she was a Leelanau County government employee who spent most of her time at a desk.

Under Kiessel's guidance, Black Star Farms now operates a Community Supported Agriculture garden, which has participants paying a fee to receive fresh produce. About 15 people are enrolled in this first year of Black Star's CSA garden, and Kiessel is hopeful that they will expand the program next year.

In addition to carrying products from the Black Star vegetable garden, the recently opened farmers market sells other local produce, ice cream toppings, jams, jellies, honey, maple syrup, lavender products, baked goods, frozen meats and even dried, local exotic mushrooms.

"Black Star Farms is really interested in supporting the local farmers, and creating a place where local products can be sold and purchased,” said Kiessel.

She said they've also built a kitchen at the market where plans are underway to offer cooking demonstrations using local products.

"There is just a lot of support and excitement for having this type of agricultural destination in the area,” said Kiessel.