Fable Farm In Manhattan Is Where Animals' Stories Come To Life

MANHATTAN, IL — Every animal at Fable Farm has a story to tell. Some are rescue animals, while others have been adopted into the Fable Farm family. It’s a place where those animals can live out their days in a well-nurtured environment, and children and families can come and share in the farm-life experience.

Kayla LeVine, a resident of Joliet, started Fable Farm in March with two rescue horses. The farm sits on the property of Chris and Lisa Miller at 23754 S. Cedar Road in Manhattan.

“We started with just a big empty barn and our two girls,” Levine said.

Today Fable Farm is home to approximately 50 animals, including horses (full size and minis), goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits, ducks and a sheep. And the farm keeps growing; one of the big pigs, Ethel, recently gave birth to seven healthy piglets.

“We started adopting and rescuing small animals and setting ourselves up making it a place that people would want to spend the afternoon at,” Levine said.

Fable Farm does generate some revenue from renting out stables for horses, but the majority of funding for the farm comes in the form of events at the farm and donations from the community.

Levine said one of the most popular events at Fable Farm is its Open Farm Days, which takes place from 9-10 a.m. every Monday. Levine said she has plans to expand the hours to include 5-6 p.m. so children and families have more opportunities to experience Fable Farm.

“Everybody likes to come,” she said. “We have quarter machines for corn and feed, and all the kids get to feed the goats and the sheep. We sell the horse treats to feed the horses. [Children] will chase the chickens and ducks around.

“ … Being on a property like a farm is the definition of simplicity for those who are coming to enjoy it. It’s very tranquil, it’s very serene. I think everybody likes to come down and put the busy life behind them and slow down for five minutes.”

Another event that draws people in is Fable Farm’s Movies Under the Stars. The event is free to attend, but visitors can purchase popcorn, hot dogs, cotton candy, snow cones and more. The feature movie for Aug. 6 is “Ferdinand.” Visitors can arrive starting at 7 p.m., and the movie will begin at dark.

Fable Farm is a not-for-profit organization, so all proceeds from events at Fable Farm go directly back to running the farm and keeping the animals fed, Levine said.

For more information, visit Fable Farm's Facebook page or its website.

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