Putnam County added a couple more pigs to the growing animal population at Tilly Foster Farm in Brewster. Levi and Lucy have joined Penelope and Ginger, who already call the county-owned farm home, in the pig pen. All of the pigs are Kunekune piglets that were purchased from Bel Canto Farm in Trumansburg, NY.
“Our family on the farm just got a little bit bigger,” said veterinary technician Teresa Delahanty, the caretaker of the animals at Tilly Foster Farm. “People have taken a great liking to Penelope and Ginger. So, when we were given an opportunity to obtain two more Kunekune pigs the County decided that the time was right to expand our family.”
Levi, the sole boar of the team, is a year old. Lucy, who is five months old, was gifted to the County when Levi was purchased.
Delahanty stated that the Kunekune pigs were chosen for Tilly Foster Farm because of their friendly dispositions, their mini-esque size and their non-rooting and non-roaming characteristics.
“Kunekune are very friendly, easy to manage little pigs,” said Delahanty “and they will be able to feed mostly on pasture grass unlike other breeds. They won’t grow to be taller than 24 inches, very child-friendly.”
After a consensus by residents at a set of public meetings last year, the County has been working diligently toward repopulating Tilly Foster Farm with small farm animals.
“We are fulfilling our commitment to our constituents,” said Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell. “We have brought back the animals to the farm for everyone to enjoy.”
Last June, newly hatched chicks were the first animals to move to the farm under the County’s intendance. Since then Tilly Foster Farm has welcomed four Kunekune pigs, four alpacas and two mini horses.
“We are adding animals strategically,” said Odell. “When Putnam County took over management of Tilly Foster Farm it adopted an animal acquisition plan that calls for a variety of low maintenance animals that have the least impact on the County financially as well as environmentally. We are balancing our fiscal liabilities with our social responsibilities.”
Tilly Foster Farm is located at 100 Route 312 in Brewster. The farm is open daily to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.