Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
A Virginia Tech professor is turning her love for Scottish Highland cows into an agritourism attraction.
Meghan Wilson owns an 80-acree farm called Whiskey Spring Farm in Blacksburg, which is home to four of the unique animals along with two miniature donkeys. She describes the farm as a family-owned hobby farm obsessed with all things mini moos.
“I love this type of cow. I have never owned any or never grew up with any on a farm. I just thought it would be great to have,” Wilson said.
Activities at the Glade Road location has included unique events like pictures with the animals and “coffee with cows,” which she described as a peaceful moment for people just come early in the morning, have a cup of coffee with the animals and enjoy the solitude of the farm.”
The eight-acre farm is located in close proximity to a local brewery, where Wilson also takes a cow for a visit on weekends.
Other activities include birthday parties, Future Farmer of America events and fall festivals at local schools.
The popularity of petting zoos increased following the COVID-19 lockdowns as families sought more outdoor activities.
This idea, like Whiskey Springs, provides a rare opportunity for people, especially children, to get up close and interact with farm animals.
Cow cuddling, a trend that has been quietly gaining popularity over the past few years, offers a unique and therapeutic experience that combines the joy of animal interaction with the benefits of mindfulness and stress relief.
Wilson has not gotten as far to allow cuddling with her cows, but she has recently hosted a bachelorette party with a photographer.
This type of “petting farm” also opens doors as “agritourism” (a form of commercial enterprise that links agricultural production and/or processing with tourism) blooms across southwest Virginia.
Also, the popularity of “fuzzy cows”, specifically Scottish Highland and miniature versions, is soaring due to their cute and fluffy appearance. They are also becoming popular for pets and for agritourism, thanks to their gentle nature and unique look, which resembles a “teddy bear.”
This popularity has also led to increased demand, making them sought after farm animals and stars of their own social media channels.
Viral photos and videos on platforms like TikTok and Instragram have introduced these animals to a vast audience. Their gentle and curious personalities make them appealing as pets and farm attractions.
The cows’ docile nature has also made them popular for cow-cuddling and animal therapy. Thus, in the case of the Scottish Highland breed, they love to be petted and brushed.
For now, Wilson tries to keep her herd hands-off but hopes to change that in the future.
This coming weekend, Sunday, Oct. 25, Whiskey Springs is holding its own fall festival from 1-4 p.m. In cooperation with the Little Big Dog Rescue, there will be pets to be adopted. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information or to schedule a visit, contact Whiskey Springs at the Facebook page or emailing at whiskeyspringsfarm@outlook.com.
