If you’re planning a quick getaway within the Klang Valley during the upcoming school holidays, then you should consider Farm Fresh UPM in Serdang.
Perched amidst rolling meadows with multicolored cows dotting green hills, Farm Fresh UPM offers a glimpse of farm life in a natural environment.
Unlike Kundasang's Desa Dairy Farm's cool weather, the temperature here is hot and humid.
The sun in the morning can be piercingly hot, and so can the crowd. Nonetheless, life on the farm is as close as you can get here!
For families with young kids or children of primary school age, Fresh Farm UPM offers 10 amazing things to do for a good change in scenery!
Location and Getting To Farm Fresh UPM
Farm Fresh UPM is located beside Universiti Pertanian Malaysia in Serdang. To get there, enter Farm Fresh UPM in Waze. The farm is about 45 minutes from Petaling Jaya or Kuala Lumpur.
About Farm Fresh UPM
Farm Fresh UPM was founded by Loi Tuan Ee out of the need to produce the freshest and most natural milk possible. Mr.Loi realized that the dairy products produced locally were made from reconstituted milk or milk powder.
This spurred him to buy 60 Holstein Jersey cows from Australia and acquire 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.
Parking at Farm Fresh UPM
When you arrive at the farm, the paved roads are replaced by fine orange gravel. Plenty of volunteers in uniform are on hand to direct the flow of traffic Just like its massive grounds, you'll also find ample parking on the hill.
What To Do At Farm Fresh UPM
For the best experience filled with informative anecdotes, we recommend going on a guided tour that starts with a tractor ride! The tractor ride is included in the entrance fee.
1. Tour the Farm with the Tractor Ride
The Tractor Ride is a must-do novel experience not to be missed on this farm. The queue to board the tractor is undeniably long on weekends but worth the wait. During the 20-minute ride, the driver narrates information about the area and the main sights like the sugarcane and banana plantation. The guide explains that employees aren’t staying within the compound to take care of the farm. But also as a preventive measure to break apart cows that get into brawls! 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 leisurely in the open, grazing on a curated diet of African Mombasa grass. Learn how the farm's 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. Marvel at small animals
The Furry Friends Playground is the perfect paradise where different animals live in harmony in an enclosed yet open area, shaded by a large tree.
From gentle deer to furry rabbits, ducks, chickens and guinea fowl to wild mynas pecking at the backs of deer, this outdoor aviary is an amazing place to observe the animals' antics from afar. Remember not to feed the animals, as their diet is regulated by the farm.
4. Savor farm-to-table food and drinks at The Acre
Strategically located near the entrance of Farm Fresh UPM, The Acre, the in-house restaurant, isn't just a cozy sight to behold. It also dishes up tantalizing aroma of flavorful food that entices visitors to dine here.
The menu includes the usual café delicacies such as pasta, sourdough pizza, salads and soups. And the aromatic waft of deep-fried finger food draws people in. The smell of deep-fried Mozar Fingers and Salted Egg Poppers Chicken will whet your appetite.
And if you want to eat on the go, you can buy chicken rice, corn in a cup, waffles and other snacks from the many food stalls that line the sidewalk.
5. Take lots of photos
You'll find a beautiful backdrop on every corner, perfect for your Instagram feed. Pose next to one of the colorful display cows in the meadow. Or under the large trees with their natural canopies, which provide just the right balance of shade for a picture pit stop.
Best of all, when the cows are in the pasture at 5 pm, you can lean against the fence and have your photo taken. Because the “ladies” are the perfect backdrop! Plus, the kaleidoscope of colors at sunset provides a mesmerizing canvas that is priceless.
If the weather cooperates, the evening is the best time to visit the farm.
6. Saddle up your child on the Kids Barrel Ride
Toddlers and children up to the age of 7 can ride through the aviary in a barrel ride. To get on the barrel, you have to queue in front of the restroom.
7. Explore horse riding
Alternatively, you can trot up to a horse and get into the saddle for a children's ride. Your child can either ride on their own horse or in a carriage pulled by a horse.
There is a fee for the ride as it is managed by a third party authorized by the Farm Fresh UPM’s management.
8. Discover more about composting
Just behind the restrooms is the composting zone where you can learn more about the process. The cow manure is collected from the barn and mixed with soil enriched with African nightcrawler worms to facilitate the composting process. These worms help break down solid waste into solid-like substances that are filled with nutrients to help plants thrive.
9. Read more about sustainable growing methods
Learn more about Farm Fresh UPM's sustainable farming practices at the Center for Sustainable Education.
From collecting cow manure to composting with the help of earthworms, these sustainable practices help avoid the use of commercial fertilizers and pesticides. At the same time, they help to preserve biodiversity and the natural ecosystem.
10. Walk Through The Plant Nursery
Walk through the shady vegetable and flower tunnels that lead you to the plant nursery. In the nursery, you can observe how even a small patch of soil fuels the plant to produce juicy, large tomatoes!
The vegetables are also grown in a hydroponic system, where they get their nutrients from a special nutrient-infused liquid. If you like any of it, you can buy these pesticide-free vegetables from Fresh Picks - the in-house fresh produce store.
Price
The prices are reasonable and parking is free. You'll be given a wristband as proof of payment (apart from the receipt).
- Malaysians: RM15 for adults and RM10 for children and senior citizens
- Non-Malaysians: RM35 for adults and RM25 for children and senior citizens
- Free for children under 4 years old
Malaysians must present their NRIC to be eligible for the above fare.
Conclusion
Farm Fresh UPM exudes a refreshing countryside vibe, but provides little opportunity to interact with or get up close and personal with the animals
We love that the farm spans a huge area of green grass that stretches to the horizon. If you can spare a weekday to visit the Farm fresh UPM, you'll probably like it better as the crowd aren’t as big compared to the weekends.
Otherwise, Farm Fresh UPM is just another attraction in Selangor that offers a nice break from the cityscape of shopping malls. Be sure to bring a hat and an umbrella and don't skimp on sunscreen, as the sun gets intense from 10am onwards.
A visit to UPM Farm Fresh in the evening is a better alternative while the sky is still clear.
Address: Farm Fresh @ UPM, Jalan Maklumat, 43400 Seri Kembangan, Selangor
Business Hours: 10am – 7pm daily (Close every Monday)
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