If you and the family are looking for a little fun this weekend, there’s a place in Brogue, PA (about 10 miles southwest of Lancaster) called Hope Acres.
Hope Acres is a dairy farm that offers guided public tours. But it’s not your average dairy farm. It’s one of only a handful of farms in the country that uses a fully-automated milking system. This one features laser-guided robots milking the cows, mechanical back scratchers (for the cows) and waterbeds (yes, also for the cows). The tours last about 75 minutes and end with a free scoop of homemade ice cream. A restaurant is also available in case you’re hungry.
If you’re too far away to make a day trip out to Hope Acres, check out the video on their website here (including a bit about the cow waterbeds).
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If you’ve got a technical question about the ice cream making process or some other inquiry about the nuances of America’s favorite treat, chances are Ernie has the answer. He might not be able to answer all questions, but he’ll try his best and some may be featured on the Ice Cream Journal.
I don’t know… I find a waterbed kind of cumbersome to climb in and out of… and I’m a human! I would certainly be curious to see how the cows manage, but I guess they must like it!
I’m happy to hear that Turkey Hill buys milk from dairies that pamper their cows. Cows deserve to be pampered,, for giving us all that milk, allowing you to make all that delicious ice cream!
Thanks for the info about the dairy. On my next trip to Pa I will take the tour.
How do I get Turkey Hill ice cream coupons?
First let me say we love yuor various ice cream flavors. I esp like the chocolate-marshmallow. reminds me of when i was small- a long time ago- and sat at the counter eating a chocolate/marshmallow sundae. also loved the article and video of this farm. we are all animal lovers here. so glad to see how they are pampered. even i do not get an automatic back scrathing– though we do have a water bed. Must visit this farm as we live in Philadelphia.
Wow, this is perfect. My sister and family are moving to the Philly area and my nephew is infatuated with cows! Sounds like a great little trip for the family. Thanks for sharing!!!
I think it’s terrific how they pamper their cows. Who wouldn’t want a nice waterbed and good back scratching? I would prefer a good back rub however. PASS.. on the milking machine!
I spoiled all our pets. Shannon the Irish Setter got her raw carrots almost every day. On Fridays she would get popcorn we tossed to her to catch. She would plop her paw on your knee if you didn’t give it to her fast enough. Bernie the Guinea Pig loved to cuddle and have his chin scratched. Holly the Cat is very spoiled. She gets treats and lots of attention also. I’ll say “Kitty Time” and she’ll run to the chair and wait for me. She loves to lay on my lap,on her back and have her belly scratched. She loves T.H. Vanilla. She gets it once in awhile. Its a proven fact that children perform better in school after a good nights rest and breakfast. This just shows that humans and animals all preform better when given the right envvironment.
I should proof read before I submit!(environment not enwironment) You see, I didn’t have a good nights rest. It shows!LOL
Sounds like a great Red Hat trip!
Thanks.
Thanks for the info, it sounds like a great place to visit some happy cows.
If you have younger children it would be a great trip for them!
Sounds like a great tour.
CAROL – Speaking of pets and ice cream, look for today’s entry about a dog named Duncan and his love of Turkey Hill Peanut Butter Mania. Send us a pic of Holly with some ice cream and we’ll post it!
ROSEMARY – Look for Turkey Hill coupons in newspapers. We sometimes place them in Sunday papers and other editions. You also have a good chance of winning coupons simply by leaving a comment here on the Ice Cream Journal (every month we give away prizes and we usually throw in a few coupons for free ice cream). Good luck!
That sounds like the life (except like Carol said, I would pass on the milking machine)! How come those cows are treated better than I am?!?!?! I don’t have a waterbed or a back scratching machine!!!
That does sound cool, especially the free ice cream at the end. I love homemade ice cream!
We will be in Lancaster and Hershey next week and are making reservations to visit Hope Acres. Sounds like great fun, something different! Thank you!!!
also forgot to add- with the automatic milking machines, the back scrathers, and water bed– all the cows must be in a GOOD MOOD!!
we miss your ice cream since we moved here to florida. could you branch out to florida??
nm
im vegetarian and this is the only dairy i will consume from. and kinda strict and turkey hill is the only dairy i will do.