Try something new away from urban life, and head over to Farm Fresh UPM for an educational farm tour.
Farm Fresh UPM gives a glimpse of farm life in a natural setting. Yet, unlike Kundasang’s Desa Dairy Farm which has cool weather, it is hot and humid at Farm Fresh UPM.
Still, Farm Fresh UPM makes for an interesting family outing. Read on to discover 10 amazing things to do at the Farm Fresh UPM!
Table Of Contents:
About Farm Fresh UPM
Farm Fresh UPM was founded by Loi Tuan Ee out of a need to produce the freshest and most natural milk possible.
Mr. Loi noticed that local dairy products used reconstituted milk or powdered milk.
This spurred him to buy 60 Holstein Jersey cows from Australia and a small piece of land in Johor Bahru.
As the business grew, he collaborated with Azmi Zainal, an old friend of his. And sought Khazanah National as a strategic investor to expand the business.
Location And Getting To Farm Fresh UPM
Farm Fresh UPM is beside Universiti Pertanian Malaysia in Serdang. To get there, key in Farm Fresh UPM in Waze.
The farm is approximately 45 minutes from Petaling Jaya or Kuala Lumpur if you’re driving.
- Address: Farm Fresh @ UPM, Jalan Maklumat, 43400 Seri Kembangan, Selangor
- Location: Google Maps
- Business Hours: 10am – 7pm daily (Close every Monday)
- Contact: +6016-206 7133
Parking At Farm Fresh UPM
When you arrive at the farm, the paved roads give way to fine orange gravel. Many volunteers in uniform stand by to direct the flow of traffic.
And within the huge grounds, you’ll find ample parking on the hill.
What To Do At Farm Fresh UPM
For an optimum experience that is educational too:
We recommend going on the guided tour that kicks off with the tractor ride!
1. Tour The Farm With The Tractor Ride
The Tractor Ride is a must-do novel experience on this farm. Thus, the queue to board the tractor is long on weekends.
But it is still worth the wait.
During the 20-minute ride, the driver shares information about the area. And you can see the main sights like the sugarcane and banana plantation.
The tractor makes a pit stop at the peak of the hill under a tree, which is a perfect photo opportunity for visitors too.
2. Learn More About The Cows And The Milking Process
Watch the cows roam and graze on a curated diet of African Mombasa grass.
Learn how the wardens care for the “ladies” through humane practices. And discover the art and science of milking a cow.
If you’re lucky, the playful calves will hop right up to greet you and dart away in shyness!
3. See Small Animals
The Furry Friends Playground has different animals living in harmony. It is in an enclosed yet open area, shaded by a large tree.
There are gentle deer, furry rabbits, ducks, chickens, and guinea fowl.
This outdoor aviary is an amazing place to observe the animals’ antics from afar. You can see wild mynas pecking at the backs of deer.
Note: Do not feed the animals, as they have a special diet on the farm
4. Savor Farm-To-Table Food And Drinks At The Acre
Right by the entrance of Farm Fresh UPM:
The in-house restaurant, The Acre, isn’t only a cozy sight to behold. It also dishes up tasty food.
The menu features pasta, sourdough pizza, salads, and soups. An aromatic waft of deep-fried finger food (e.g., Mozar Fingers and Salted Egg Poppers Chicken) draws in the crowd.
And if you plan to eat on the go, you can pick from chicken rice, corn in a cup, waffles, and other snacks. As there are many food stands that line the sidewalk.
5. Take Lots Of Photos
At every turn and corner, you’ll find beautiful backdrops for photos. Pose next to one of the colorful display cows in the field.
Or under large trees with natural canopies.
Tip: The cows are out in the pasture at 5 pm so you can lean against the fence and get a good shot.
If the weather cooperates, the evening is the best time to visit the farm. You might even catch a great sunset photo!
6. Saddle Your Child For The Kids Barrel Ride
Toddlers and children 7 and under can take a slow ride through the aviary in a barrel ride. To board the barrel, you’ll need to get in line outside the restroom.
7. Explore Horse Riding
Or, you can trot along with a horse and hop on the saddle for a ride. Your child can either ride on an individual horse or in a horse-drawn carriage.
There is a fee for the ride. Rides are by a third party authorized by Farm Fresh UPM’s management.
8. Discover More About Composting
Behind the toilets is the composting zone where you can learn more about the process.
There is a collection of cow dung from the barn. They mix the dung with soil enriched with African Nightcrawler worms.
These worms help to break down solid waste for plants to thrive on the nutrients.
9. Read Up About Sustainable Farming Practices
Learn more about the sustainable farming methods employed by Farm Fresh UPM at the Center for Sustainable Education.
Collecting and composting cow manure is one of the sustainable practices at Farm Fresh UPM.
It helps avoid the use of commercial fertilizers and pesticides. At the same time, these practices maintain biodiversity and the natural ecosystem.
10. Walk Through The Plant Nursery
Walk along the shaded vegetable and flower tunnels that lead you to the plant nursery. At the nursery, you can observe how even a small patch of soil fuels the plant to produce juicy, big tomatoes!
The vegetables are also grown using a hydroponic system. Here, plants get their nutrients from a nutrient-infused liquid.
You can buy pesticide-free veggies at Fresh Picks, the in-house fresh produce store.
Prices At Farm Fresh UPM
Prices are reasonable with a higher rate charged on the weekends, while parking is free. You’ll get a wristband as a confirmation of payment (apart from the receipt).
- RM15 for adults and RM10 for children during weekends
- RM10 for adults and RM5 for children during weekdays
- Free for children below 4 years old
Conclusion
Farm Fresh UPM, with its refreshing countryside vibes, is a somewhat overrated attraction in Selangor. It is a place you’d only visit once.
We love that the farm spans a huge area of green grass that stretches to the horizon. Weekdays are best if you want to visit Farm Fresh UPM without crowds.
Be sure to take a hat and an umbrella and don’t skimp on sunscreen. As the sun gets intense from 10 am onwards.
