EMU a culinary comeback
by Courtney Squire
Winter Caplanson photos
Approaching the main central barn area at Penfield Farm in Portland, Connecticut, visitors are treated to a symphony of the happy moos, clucks, cackles, chirps, neighs and honks of the many animals and birds that call this little slice of paradise home. In addition to the animals raised for meat and eggs here on the farm, a variety of rescue animals are lucky enough to live out the rest of their lives here in the rolling green hills of the Connecticut River Valley. Perusing the outskirts of the main central pens, one quickly notices how the animals easily mesh together, sharing the gorgeous views on this twohundred-year-old family farm. Sheep, geese, chickens, peacocks, guinea fowl, pheasant, cattle, pigs, miniature horses, and a llama named Opie all share this lovely space, adding a vibrant cadence of sounds and energy to the landscape. But none are more unique or interesting than the group of prehistoric-looking emus that round out the cheerful array of inhabitants on Penfield Farm.
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CT FOOD & FARM / WINT ER 2020
