Planning a farm-ily day?
Instead of spending your free time cooped up at home surfing the net aimlessly, you could take a trip down to Singapore’s very own countryside for a breath of fresh air. Many farms reside in Kranji Countryside, and visitors are welcome to tour the farms and enjoy fresh local produce. For just $3, visitors can take the Kranji Countryside Express bus from Kranji MRT to visit Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Jurong Frog Farm, as well as the farms included in this list.
1. Bollywood Veggies
I know what you’re thinking – What has Indian blockbuster films have to do with farming? Well, the name was chosen to reflect co-founder Ivy Singh’s half-Indian heritage, as well as the enthusiasm and boisterous personality of the farm. Born of a retirement plan in year 2000, Bollywood Veggies has expanded beyond its farm to include a bistro (I’ll tell you more about it later!), museum and a host of culinary classes.
Currently, Bollywood Veggies offers a large variety of activities that you can (and should) try out:
Guided Farm Tour
Led by friendly and experienced guides, visitors can expect to touch, smell and even taste some of the fruits, spices and herbs on the farm. You’ll also be given snippets of interesting facts and learn about sustainable and planet-friendly farming methods.
Don’t forget to look out for fruit trees during the farm tour, especially the uncommon ones like crystal fruit, breadfruit and the medicinal Horse Radish tree. What’s even more fascinating is that more than 20 types of bananas can be found on the farm! That’s right, Bollywood Veggies grows the Pisang Ambon, Pisang Rajah, Pisang Rajastali and many (many) more varieties! Taste the goodness for yourself when you try their banana bread and other desserts!
Potting Session
Perfect for the young (and young at heart), this hands-on activity allows participants to pot herbs like lemongrass and dill with the help of enthusiastic facilitators. Visitors can then take their pot of love with them, and continue caring for it in their homes.
Bollywood Bhanchha
All you culinarians out there will be happy to know that Bollywood Veggies hosts a variety of tailored culinary classes. The classes range from kid-friendly ones (with no flame cooking) through to teenagers and adults. With the help of an experienced chef, participants should be able to whip up healthy wraps, exotic salads and local desserts after the 3-hour session.
Poison Ivy Bistro
Don’t worry if you’re not cut out for the kitchen, you can still enjoy delicious local and fusion cuisine at the bistro! Taking farm-to-table to a whole new level, Poison Ivy Bistro offers mouthwatering dishes like otah omelette, vegetarian curry, samosas, spring rolls and much more! Take a look at the menu here!
Food Museum
After filling your tummies, take a 15-minute guided tour of the Bollywood Food Museum to learn about humankind’s interaction with food and agricultural revolutions. For this activity, you’ll need to schedule a special guided tour, which can be done here.
All this makes up a fun-filled day with good food and great experiences. But that’s not all! Bollywood Veggies has more planned for you: treasure hunts, rice planting, educational talks, and even a blind test taste of different honeys from 3 Asian bee species! Find out more at Bollywood Veggies’ Facebook page or official website!
Details
Address: 100 New Tiew Road, Singapore 719026
Contact: 6898 5001
Operating hours: Wednesday – Friday: 9.30am-6.30pm. Sat, Sun & PH: 8am-6.30pm.
2. D’Kranji Farm Resort
Instead of a staycation in the city, why not try D’Kranji Farm Resort for a laid back experience that gets you in touch with nature?
What To Expect
Apart from the tropical fruit and vegetable farm and agriculture kiosks, you can look forward to appetizing food and lots of entertainment. The farm resort features an in-house seafood restaurant as well as Ginza Butchery, which is raved about for serving top grade beef straight from Japan at affordable prices.
Other Attractions
While enjoying a drink at the Beer Garden, guests will be entertained by talented performers and can even have a go at the karaoke themselves! After a good night’s rest, start your morning with D’Cafe’s simple American breakfast that promises to keep you happy with delicious scrambled eggs, fresh farm vegetables and toast.
Complete your experience with a visit to the Swiftlet Garden Museum which features a variety of displays, videos and demonstrations focusing on the bird species responsible for the production of edible bird’s nest! Learn more about it here!
Details
Address: 10 Neo Tiew Lane 2, Singapore 718813
Contact: 6898 9228
Operating hours: 24 Hours
3. Hay Dairies
Hay There!
You probably visited the goat farm as a kid, and now you should bring your kid to Hay Dairies for the experience of operating a farm right here in Singapore. Since 1988, Hay Dairies has been producing fresh and pure goat milk locally, with over 800 goats on its farm today.
What To Do At Hay Dairies
Enjoy an educational farm tour conducted by experienced goat farmers and get a hands-on experience of feeding the goats! If you reach the farm at 9-10.30am, you’ll be able to view the goat milking session, and be impressed as these smart animals queue patiently for their turn.
While you’re there, don’t forget to purchase fresh goat milk directly from the farmers, or pick out a souvenir to remember the day’s adventure. Learn more about Hay Dairies here!
Details
Address: 3 Lim Chu Kang Lane 4, Singapore 718859
Contact: 6792 0931
Operating hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm Daily, except Tuesday.