Butterfield Acres petting farm reopens after cryptosporidium outbreak
Butterfield Acres reopening draws families back to the Rocky Ridge attraction after a deep clean and veterinary clearance, following an April cryptosporidium case that led to five human infections.
Butterfield Acres reopening welcomed visitors Monday with new hygiene measures and a quarantined calf.
Butterfield Acres petting farm on Rocky Ridge Road reopened to the public on Monday, May 18, 2026, following weeks of intensive disinfection after a cryptosporidiosis case tied to a calf forced the facility to close in early April. The farm’s reopening drew families within an hour of opening, with parents and children returning to pet baby goats and lambs and to ride ponies on site. Farm manager Tania Katay said staff worked long hours to meet veterinary guidance and public-health expectations before allowing visitors back on the grounds.
Closure triggered by infected calf discovered April 9
Staff at Butterfield Acres acquired a pair of calves at the end of March and identified one as infected with the cryptosporidium parasite on April 9. The infected calf was removed immediately and other animals that had contact were isolated as a precaution. The facility suspended operations in early April to prevent further spread while animal health specialists assessed the situation.
Human cases and clinical risks
Public health authorities were notified and five human cases of diarrheal illness linked to the farm have been recorded since the parasite was discovered. Cryptosporidiosis in people typically produces watery diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and weight loss, with symptoms usually appearing two to ten days after exposure and lasting one to two weeks. Farm officials emphasized that no staff or animals had shown symptoms since May 1, a timeline that factored into the decision to reopen.
Sanitation, repairs and veterinary clearance
In the weeks leading up to reopening, staff carried out a deep cleaning campaign across animal pens and visitor areas, replacing boards and fence panels and scrubbing every surface that could contact animals and guests. An agricultural veterinarian advised the farm that if no new symptoms appeared within a 12-day window, it would be safe to resume operations, and farm managers said they followed that guidance closely. Katay described long evenings and “all hands on deck” efforts to meet sanitation standards and restore visitor confidence.
On-site precautions and current animal status
Although public areas reopened, the calf that originally tested positive remains in quarantine and is expected to be moved off-site for the summer to minimize risk. Other animals that had been isolated have been monitored and were reported healthy at the time of reopening. Staff have reinstated visible hand-washing stations and signage reminding visitors to avoid hand-to-mouth contact after touching animals to reduce the risk of zoonotic transmission.
Visitors return and community response
By the 10 a.m. opening, cars filled the farm’s parking area at 254077 Rocky Ridge Rd. N.W. and groups gathered by the goat and sheep pens to feed and pat the animals. Several visitors purchased season passes on arrival, with at least one parent, Oleksandra Zorgach, saying she bought a pass so her young children could stop by easily. Katay said the sound of children laughing and guests interacting with the animals was an encouraging sign that the community wanted the farm to succeed after the closure.
Recent history of disease-related disruptions
This is the second disease-related shutdown for Butterfield Acres within the past year; the farm temporarily closed in October after highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in its poultry flocks, which resulted in the loss of the birds. Katay reflected on the emotional and operational strain of those earlier closures and said the team has tightened protocols to better prevent and respond to infectious threats across species. The dual incidents have prompted a review of sourcing, quarantine and monitoring practices for new animals.
Visitors were asked to follow posted hygiene rules and to report any illness to public health authorities if symptoms develop after a visit. The farm reiterated that the calf’s removal and the absence of new cases since May 1 supported their reopening decision, but staff said they will continue daily monitoring and cooperate with veterinary and public health guidance going forward.
The reopening day combined standard attraction activities with a visible emphasis on safety, as families again moved through animal pens and the farm balanced public access with ongoing animal health precautions.
