RIVER FALLS – The countdown is on for a new fall tradition: Pasture Palooza at Eagle Eye Farm, an all-day celebration of community, agriculture, and family fun, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.

Visitors will be able to sample delicious food trucks, listen to live music by Hailey James, take part in pumpkin painting, face painting, and a variety of hands-on activities for kids and adults alike. Don’t miss out on the guided farm tours, where guests can go behind the scenes to experience life on the farm and meet more than 100 animals up close.

The fun continues all through the holidays. Throughout November, Eagle Eye Farm and its on-site store, All Things Sheared, will be part of the Fall Finds & Barn Tour, welcoming visitors for cozy, family-friendly weekends filled with seasonal shopping, outdoor vendors, festive décor, and fall charm on the following dates: Oct. 31-Nov. 2, Nov. 7-9, Nov. 14-16 and Nov. 21-23. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on these dates.

The farm’s story

Eagle Eye Farm’s story began in Duluth, Minn. Dawn Stewart and Kerri Hartung moved from St. Louis to Duluth in 2016 seeking a change from the busy, high-stress world they were living in.

“I am a physician, and Dawn had worked in healthcare for more than 30 years,” Hartung said. “Life in the city was fast-paced and demanding — long hours, constant pressure, and very little time to connect with nature or even with each other. We both craved something different… something slower, more meaningful, and grounded in simplicity.”

When they moved north, they knew they wanted property and space to breathe. Stewart had always been a true animal lover — she felt a connection to animals that was deeper than most people feel for one another, Hartung said. “She had always surrounded herself with pets.”

In the fall of 2018, Stewart and Hartung visited a local alpaca farm and instantly fell in love with a 4-day-old alpaca. They named him, brought him home, and immediately began researching everything they could about alpacas. They were captivated by their calm, peaceful nature and gentle curiosity.

And as they say, the rest is history.

“From that moment, we knew we had to have at least three alpacas. When we went to find our little boy a friend, we ended up bringing home six more instead. Within six months, we had 20 alpacas,” Hartung said. “What started as a simple idea quickly turned into something much bigger. We realized we wanted to share the joy of these incredible animals with others through agritourism. So, in July 2019, we moved to our current location on County Road F in River Falls — an abandoned horse farm that we transformed into what Eagle Eye Farm is today.”

The farm officially opened to the public in October 2020, just as families were starting to reconnect after months apart due to COVID. Stewart was in charge of daily operations (the animals, the tours, the hands-on care) while Hartung focused on behind-the-scenes responsibilities. She is also a full-time physician.

“That first season was something truly special — grandparents meeting grandchildren for the first time, families reuniting surrounded by animals and fresh air. It was a reminder of how powerful connection and nature can be,” Hartung said.

Stewart died in unexpectedly in May 2023. While farming had never been her dream, Hartung had grown to love it deeply.

“Dawn was the heart of the farm, the one who cared for the animals every day and made it all come alive. After her unexpected passing, my connection to the farm deepened in ways I never could have imagined. What began as Dawn’s calling has become my healing. The animals and the land have given me peace, purpose, and strength through unimaginable loss,” Hartung said. “The animals have provided an incredible sense of comfort, healing, and peace through one of the hardest seasons of my life.”

Hartung now operates Eagle Eye Farm (named after a pond on their Duluth property that looked like an eagle eye) on her own but said she’s far from alone.

“I’m incredibly fortunate to have an amazing team that helps with the daily operations, caring for the animals, assisting with guests, and keeping everything running smoothly,” she said.
“Together, we’ve continued the expand the original vision while growing the farm into something even more special — a place filled with connection, joy, and healing for everyone who visits.”

The farm, open 365 days a year, welcomes people for self-guided tours daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. no reservations needed. For those who prefer a more personal experience, they offer guided tours Friday through Monday, which require a reservation.

The farm is home to more than 100 animals, including alpacas, llamas, mini Highland cattle, Valais Blacknose sheep, peacocks, chickens, mini donkeys, kune kune pigs, English Angora bunnies, red kangaroos, tiny goats, and prehensile-tailed porcupines. Visitors can take part in Romping with the Kangaroos and Porcupine Feedings for a more up-close and interactive experience.

During the warmer months, guests can enjoy Alpaca Yoga and Goat Yoga, which run from April through September. Summer is also one of their busiest times, with farm camps for ages 3 through adults. Throughout the year, they host a variety of creative and hands-on experiences such as soap felting, painting, and crocheting/knitting classes, along with other unique events that bring people together.

“From the very moment people drive onto the property, something special happens. Guests often tell us they feel an immediate connection — a sense of calmness and peace that seems to settle in as soon as they arrive,” Hartung said. “We hope each visit fills people with happiness, positivity, and a renewed sense of peace, and that it becomes a meaningful memory they carry with them. At its heart, Eagle Eye Farm is more than just a place to visit — it’s a place to feel.”

Hartung also manages the farm’s two All Things Sheared farm stores, creates honey and beeswax candles through Soaring Bee Apiary, and handcrafts skincare using lavender from her own fields under her brand Farmgirl Fab Skincare. She’s also built a thriving online business as a Brand Representative with Nu Skin, where she helps others focus on health, confidence, and self-care.

Make sure to mark your calendar for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 for the farm’s first-ever Winter Extravaganza — a day filled with food trucks, local vendors, hands-on animal encounters, holiday crafts, and plenty of Christmas cheer. Real reindeer will be onsite for the day, along with a special visit from Santa.

Eagle Eye Farm is located at N7802 County Road F, River Falls. To learn more, visit eagleeyefarm.net