Davis Farmland is a popular petting zoo for kids in Sterling. It has farm animals, water crap, jumpy houses, corn mazes, and has featured celebrities like David Ortiz. I’ve been there many times, and it’s a good way to kill a day with the crotch fruits. But apparently they are run by morons who have no concept whatsoever of PR, because a local mother is alleging that they wouldn’t let her disabled son in because he was too old.
Shitty, if true. I get the desire to keep the pedos out, but clearly an exception to the “you must have a kid under the age of 12 with you” rule could be made in circumstances like this one. But if they really told this woman to find another family in the parking lot with a crotch fruit under the age of 12, pretend to be with them, and get in that way, it completely defeats the purpose of even having that rule. The “rules are rules” people are some of the dumbest people on the planet, because they’re incapable of critical thinking in situations like this.
Normally I’m skeptical of any viral Facebook story without getting confirmation from the other side. I’d usually call up Davis Farmland and ask for comment, but luckily they took care of that for me.
“This policy applies to everyone regardless of age, physical/cognitive abilities, race, or gender.”
Are they stupid? They’re really comparing race to disabilities? As if a 21 year old black man and a 21 year old non-verbal man in a wheelchair are somehow comparable. How tone deaf can you be?
The correct answer in a situation like this, if you’re at all concerned about not looking like major assholes, is “we can amend our stupid rule to allow disabled adults of any age.” Because they don’t have the cognitive or physical abilities of adults their age. They’ve also been dealt such a shitty hand in life, and all this poor man wants to do is pet goats, and these soulless assholes made him cry.
Human. Garbage.
Everyone is piling on Davis Farmland right now and rightfully so. Everyone except for this simple bitch.
No moron, their hands are not tied. No, this will not lead to lawsuits or open up any doors. They just say they were wrong, announce that this age rule does not apply to the mentally disabled community, and move on.
I’m even more blown away by the fact that they not only lied about this man having a great day at Davis Farmland, but suggesting saying that “this 21 year old nonverbal, nonmobile man arranged to comply with this rule and then enjoyed visiting the farm.”
They really couldn’t even say his name. They just referred to him as a 21 year old nonverbal, nonmobile man. This is EXACTLY how you sabotage a business that prior to this had a great reputation in the community.
Newsflash – he didn’t arrange anything because he’s not mentally or physically capable of “arranging” that, you stupid, idiotic fucking morons. And even if he did, what you are publicly admitting in this horribly put together statement, is that you are ENCOURAGING any potential child molester that they can get into Davis Farmland if they pretend to be with another family. Or, a diddler can bring a child they’re currently molesting and use them as bait to attract more kids. That’s how fucking stupid and useless your rule is.
Here’s another question about your stupid rule – why would you allow three adults to purchase tickets without also purchasing a ticket for a kid? Didn’t think of that one, did ya?
Then these nudniks copy and pasted that answer to the hundreds of people who have flooded their Facebook page.
Pro tip – when something like this happens, just say you made a mistake and offer to let the guy come back for free. The spirit of your rule is to protect kids from creepy adults. Clearly Austin is not a creepy man, and this has clearly exposed a fundamental problem with your rule. Adjust and move on. It’s really that simple. Plus, they don’t mind discriminating based on your profession.
All respect to healthcare workers, cops, firefighters, CO’s, and active military, but teachers, sanitation workers, the people who keep our electricity on, small business owners, and pretty everyone else in society with a job has some sort of value too. That’s one thing the lockdowns have taught me – the concept of some people being more essential than others is discriminatory bullshit.
Anyway, I’m so sorry this happened. Davis Farmland rightly wants to honor first responders because they are selfless and noble. But who’s more selfless than a parent who signs up for a lifetime of taking care of a developmentally challenged child? A lot of people in a situation like this might choose to terminate the pregnancy, but Kelley Foley heroically chose life instead. Every day is a struggle not only for people like Austin, but for their families as well. And this is how they get treated. I will never, ever, ever go to Davis Farmland again unless they change their policy and find a way to make this right.
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55 Comment(s)
I side with Davis Farmland on this one, they have *their* rules in place for *their* reasons, and it’s posted on their website. I’m sorry that Mom and Austin were disappointed by their rules, but the son being disabled doesn’t buy you a free pass to do whatever you choose regardless of the rules.
I’m diabetic. If I went to the movie theater where there is a big sign clearly stating “NO outside food allowed”, can I expect them to make exceptions in my case? Can I bring in a bowl of fruit because all of their snack options are loaded with sugar? No.
We’ve all heard how the disabled “just want to be treated like anybody else”…except when they can get special treatment just because they are disabled. And if they can’t get that “special treatment”, Mommy makes a public Facebook post slamming the ‘discriminating’ business.
Stavros should be able to resolve this. I used them for a similar situation st Six Flags. They cleared it right up for me and Six Flags was decent about it.
Worked there for one season. Never again. And I have told animals loving friends to avoid Davis Farmland as well This place is abusive to their farmland animals. They allow their seasonal employees to roughly handle them- throwing them over fences, kicking them to get up. And they also allow their guests, both those under 12 and their accompanying adult, to abuse the animals as well.
In addition you should see inside the “winter” barn/sheds. Where the breeding for “new spring babies” happens. This place should be closed. I’ve always been shocked that no one reports them, and that PETA hasn’t infiltrated their “family fun” spot. All they care about is the $$$$ they rake in. They simply don’t care about anything else.
How do so many disabled people get such smoking hot helpers? Is it the same reason young millennial school teachers fuck their students?
Non-mobile or not, that dude likes ’em young.
It literally says all over the website, and when you go to purchase a ticket, that adults must be accompanied by a child 12 years old or younger. There is no way this was a surprise to anyone.
Casual Observations:
1) Fuck Davis Farmland and their cocksucker owners.
2) Clearly a policy put in place to make helicopter parents feel good about the boogie man. Newsflash: Your kid has a greater chance of being abducted by an alien than a child predator. Meanwhile, parents let their kids eat shit at the tune of 50% obesity.
3) Appears to be a decent ADA play here. It’s free to play with the DOJ.
I’m with you for the most part. Except for having a higher risk of alien abduction that child predator. I know you were being hyperbolic but…. come on.
I live in California and have a 16 year old special needs student who hates to fly. I will NEVER pack up my family and drive 3000 miles to visit your stupid farm!!!!
Same here! I live in Ohio, have never heard of this place, don’t have any kids under 12 years old, and never planned to visit. However, after this disgusting act of discrimination, I’m never taking my kids to this so-called “farm.”
I live in Sterling,the same town as this tourist trap, I have 4 children ages 7-11, and we’ve never gone to this horseshit smelling place.
And now we won’t go. Ever again either. Fuck them & their fucking goats. Who the fuck wants to get lost for days in tick infested corn-fucking-maze anyway.
Forgot to note that it would be interesting to see if Davis Farmland gets any sort of state tax credits/breaks for being in the agricultural business. They’re considered agro-tainment in slang but I wonder if they do get any sort of agricultural incentives.
8/5/2018
Today I took my 15 year old daughter to this zoo. She has autism but loves to see and play with animals. When she was younger we took her her constantly and she loved it. We drove an hour only to be told she can’t be let in because of her age. We looked over the website and it says nothing about age limits for entry. I am embarrassed and angry and most definitely will not be returning.
3/16/2015
My wife and I were visiting our daughter in Leominster. We thought it might be fun to go to Davis Farmland with our 14 year old special needs granddaughter.
We were denied entrance because “Adults must be accompanied by a child 12 years or younger”.
Are you kidding me????
No exceptions and and another woman behind us was told the same thing. She was alone and just looking to have some innocent fun. She was about our age as well, sixty – ish.
Our granddaughter could not understand and neither could we.
“It’s for safety” we were told.
What have we become?
We will go tomorrow to Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. We called and we are welcome at Drumlin.
I can NOT and will NOT recommend Davis. In fact I discourage a visit.
It’s obvious Davis Farmland doesn’t want teenagers hanging out there and destroying the place. Why else would they age restrict to 12 and under with parent(s)?
This was our favorite place years ago when our daughter was a little one, every weekend, with our yearly membership. So sad to read this.
Davis Farmland is getting roasted on their Facebook page and all you hear is crickets from management. They have to be hunkered down wondering what to do next and how to address this. Have to imagine it’s affected attendance today and people are also making comments there and calling them on the phone. Wonder how long until the Globe, Channel 5, or some other media outlet picks it up. And they better credit TB for the initial report.
Props to the mom for hiring some hot trim to be his caregivers. He may not be able to speak but I’m sure he appreciates it
The smart money’s on no Dad in the picture
Pretty sure he’s staring at the girl’s tits in one photo. Can’t say I blame him!
In East Bumfuck it’s not the children they fear will be violated, it’s the goats…
I visited San Diego Zoo as an adult without a child what does that make me? Please, what a ridiculous policy and stupid statement so the parents have peace of mind to have their child run freely. Really, who says that there aren’t weirdos there with children.
Well, to be honest, everyone knows that adults who go out in public with a 12 yr old or younger are most definitely not pedophiles.
Yet another Uncle Hypocrite story. What a joke making this about exceptions when you are taking wedge stances on every other issue. If any person should be banned for suspected creepy behavior it’s YOU
I bet if you put a BLM or rainbow Pride shirt on him the issue would have never happened. Seriously, bring back common sense.
What a bunch of heartless idiots!!! I used to.love taking my littles there .. Will no longer be taking them unless they update that policy with a bit more common sense. Every day i realize more and more just how quick this country is going to the incompetent entitled shmucks
Says the incompetent entitled schmuck…
Go Suck a goat you dumbass snarky Pete… I see you looking all dumb and full of cum over there you dumb shit.
Hey Honey, let’s do something fun today with the kids!
Sure, I got an idea! How about we drive to East Jesus and pay $100 for the 4 of us to look at some goats and chickens and run under a sprinkler?
Life is a chance to display your character and the depth of your soul. And the manages of Davis Farmland just made the nature of who they are, abundantly clear.
Kelly, I wish you every success in advocating for your son Austin. Your struggles are unknown to most of us. But as we learn a bit about you, the nature of your character and the depth of your soul serve as inspiration to the rest of us.
Well stated.
“Simple bitch”: Rules must be applied uniformly or else it’s discrimination.
Wise Uncle Turtleboy: hOw iS maKiNg eXcEpTiOnS bY cLaSs dIsCrImiNaTioN???
Dear Davis Farm,
I’ve got a big hog that I would like to put on display. Let’s get in touch.
You’re a genius, oooohhh yeahhhh
This is the problem with blanket policies. Often times they are a replacement for rational decision making. Who could look at this guy and not let him in a petty zoo? Who could look at this guy and think he’s a threat to anyone?
What a bunch of assholes!
Blanket policies replace screening each and every potential customer.
I with Farmland on this one. Soon they’d have group homes of 23 year old adults with emotional problems coming by the van load. Have an age based policy, no exceptions.
I go for a walk by one of those group homes everyday. I’m with you on this one. The “kids” grown men are loud and out of control yelling and smashing at least one window a week. Next time to this mom, buy your son a kids ticket and tell them he’s 11, what the fuck are they going to do, ask for a birth certificate???
Forgot to add I’d like to give that blonde “caretaker” a Cleveland steamer.
Gotta disagree with you, Cousin Eddie. They should’ve taken one look at the guy and whispered to the caregivers, “Psst… meet me at the employee entrance around the corner.” There: done.
I throw touchdowns on every pass
As soon as they start sneaking in older people through the back door, it will get back to the group homes who will then be the ones crying on Facebook and shaming the place for picking and choosing which disabled people they let in when they get denied entry. The place is for young children. It clearly states that adults need to be accompanied by a child younger than 12 in multiple places on the website, and I am sure at the ticket booths. Anyone getting turned away at the door probably doesn’t bother reading, or has a sense of self-entitlement and thinks the rules are for other people. Nothing is going to spoil a kids weekend more than having a bunch of mentally disabled adults shoving their way in front of them at every turn so I hope they don’t cave into the outrage mob. At the very least, in the future, no one should claim they were not aware of the 12 or under rule at this point.
Attitudes and remarks like yours, Jerry, makes me very concerned for the children you would bring to this place! This young man- in a wheelchair- is not going to cut in front of anybody! The fact that I would have to point that out to you is… well, shocking! Teaching children kindness, compassion and tolerance is the most important lesson they will learn in their entire life. If you are speaking as a parent of a child going to the farm, I hope that you consider what kind of person you hope to raise…. one who is a kind, compassionate individual who values the right of everyone to have access to a quality of life? How could anyone honestly deny this young man a day to enjoy the farm and claim to have a conscience? The stakes are high here, for everyone! If your child were in that wheelchair, how would you hope he/she would be treated?
Beth… then when the group homes come in, what will Davis Farmland do? I never thought of that angle, but it makes perfect sense that adults need to be with a child.
Group home caregivers like to take the residents out for day trips. Anything but stay at the home and wipe ass all day. You know what those caregivers would do? The two of them who brought the 8 residents? They’ll park their fat asses on a bench on their phones while the groupies run all over the place.
Fuck group homes and fuck the caregivers who don’t give a shit about the residents. Anyone who allows their child or a relative to live in one of those places deserves to die a horrible painful death.
Yep. I gotta agree with Davis Farmland too on this one.
Dems the rules.
Cant believe Im saying I also agree with the farmland.
And WTF to the “they thought he could be a pedophile”???????????
I love ya Unc but c’mon now.
Plenty of teens and adults would enjoy a petting zoo. They are losing potential business. Why is this place encouraging parents to not watch their kids??? They setup a policy so parents can play on their cell phoned while the kids run amok. How about a new policy where everyone of any age can enter, and under 12 needs to be accompanied (and supervised) by an adult.
I wake up because I couldn’t sleep and read this nonsense at 4:30 a.m. such trash!
I am not a soft young man by any means or in any way but this made me cry! What utter complete peices of shit davis farm is! I’m not into cancel culture for either side when shit gos down but these people need to be canceled and more. I hope their business gos up in flames (not literally, farm animal lives matter) They are also essentially saying that any kid over 12 is also a pedo, rightttt.
I’m not just crying because this young man was treated like this, the messed up part is it happens all the time and then some with people who have such life altering issues such as his. I’m crying because of the way they treated him, yes, but more so, because the lack of humanity in this situation but also in general in society. This is appalling and is just wrong and im sick of people with severe disabilities being treated like dirt or second class citizens over something that they nor their parents could help. I see it all the time. The looks, the comments, people thinking they are better, its disgusting!
Hey Mom if you read this than know I respect you more than anything for being a mother to your child. So many parents who have children with such disabilities just dump their children into state homes. I have seen them and they are horrific! You think the documentaries are disturbing I urge you to go into one of those places, you will not leave the same person you went in. Just know mom that me and other riders have your back.
I would rather spend my time with this young man than more than half the people I know (which is a lottttt) so mom if you ever need someone to hang out with Austin so you can take a few hours for your self post a comment here and I’ll come hang out with him any day, any time.
I never say anything like this but, we should do something for Austin. Let’s bring the whole petting zoo too his house! I bet he would love that! I for one am down to make that happen for him. Anyone else wanna help me fund it or any other activity that his mom knows he would like? Call me crazy, mock me, say something smart I dont care, but I do have a soft spot for children and people of any age with disabilities. It’s a shame that the gays, criminals, joggers etc have more rights and are given so much more compassion than children and people with disabilities.
I’ll be the first one too admit it.this got me in the fifis and nothing much does!
I loath society!
Yup just another business sucking up by giving the “essential” workers free stuff while the rest of us who are unemployed because of the lying bull shxxxxtrs just get more bs thrown at us.
Never been and when my nieces and nephews come to visit I’ll make sure it is one place we never take them too. I hope they continue to get bad mouthed too!
That poor kid probably has more brain power than half of the twits working there too.
So I cant visit if I am single?
You can enter if you identity as a 12 year old
That UU First Church over in Sterling where the Davis’ are members pushes reproductive freedom and actively fights for the right for women to abort babies that will grow up like Austin. People should know these places are not churches they are ideology mills.
I feel ya TB, and 99% of it I am with you. But dont call the woman suggesting the lawyer angle a dumbfuck. Sadly its a litigous happy country, and even the most banal decision has consequences.
I’ll give you one, itll also help dog owners — if you have a dog who may be considered aggressive, what might you do for a sign? Hands? “Beware of Dog”?
NO. DONT DO THIS. Because you are acknowledging you have a dangerous animal, and will be liable should that dog bite someone.
But if you put up “No Trespassing” and the dog bites someone, you have a solid chance not having liability. Because that person shouldnt be trespassing on your property, and your dog is your property.
Sounds moronic? I got that from a personal injury attorney who has been doing this a long time.
Even if youre trying to do the right thing, there are unintended consequences.
If you have a pit bull you may not be able to get home insurance.
You’re on the road to realizing A!dan is neither as intelligent nor knowledgeable as he thinks he is, and is governed far more by emotion than “critical thinking.”