Ottawa's Canada Agriculture and Food Museum at the Central Experimental Farm is giving locals the perfect excuse to get outside this spring — and it involves some very tiny, very cute farm animals.
CBC Ottawa recently paid a visit to check out the newest arrivals at the farm, and the photos speak for themselves: wobbly-legged lambs, playful baby goats, and impossibly small quail chicks are now part of the museum's living exhibits.
Meet the New Arrivals
Spring is lambing and kidding season, which means the farm's barns are busier than ever. Visitors can get up close with newborn lambs and kid goats — animals that are typically only days or weeks old. The quail chicks, small enough to sit in the palm of your hand, round out what might be the most heartwarming exhibit in the city right now.
Museum staff are on hand to share information about the animals, their breeds, and the role these species play in Canadian agriculture. It's educational, sure — but mostly it's just a joy to watch a baby goat figure out its own legs.
Why the Experimental Farm Is Such a Local Gem
The Central Experimental Farm is one of Ottawa's most underrated green spaces. Spanning nearly 500 hectares right in the heart of the city, it's a working federal research farm that also doubles as a beloved public park and heritage site. The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum sits within its grounds and offers year-round programming connecting Ottawans to Canada's farming heritage.
Spring is arguably the best time to visit — the fields start greening up, the ornamental gardens begin to bloom, and the barns fill with new life. It's the kind of place that reminds you just how much agricultural history is woven into Ottawa's identity, even as the city grows around it.
Plan Your Visit
The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is located at 901 Promenade Prince of Wales Drive. Spring hours and admission details are available on the museum's website. The farm is accessible by OC Transpo, and parking is available on site.
If you're bringing kids — or if you're an adult who simply cannot resist a baby goat (no judgment) — this is one spring outing worth making time for. These little ones grow up fast, so don't wait too long.
Source: CBC Ottawa
