Old World Barn

A Living Heritage of Rare Breeds

A place where community, nature, and sustainable living come together.

Plan Your Visit

Meet the Breeds

Support Our Mission

” COMING SOON: HIGHLAND FARM PARK IS IN THE PLANNING STAGES, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A FARM PARTNER FOR THIS AREA – CONTACT US ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES!”

Welcome to The Old World Barnyard

Step into a world where animals tell the stories of our past—and help us shape the future.

Watch our Video

Join the Movement

Adopt-a-Breed

Memberships

Join Now

Preserving the Past to Protect the Future

Executive Summary

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Vision and Mission

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Our Partners

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Meet The Team

Jennifer Shumaker

Managing Director, Highland Farm Park

Founder | Corporate Leader | Biologist | Naturopathic Doctor | Connector of People

Jennifer Shumaker is a passionate steward of the land, a lifelong environmental advocate, and a connector of communities. As Managing Director of Highland Farm Park and a founding force behind both the Highland Farm Park and the National Farm Park Association, Jennifer brings unmatched energy, wisdom, and purpose to every corner of this groundbreaking conservation and cooperative project.
Rooted in the soil of her family’s 100-acre historic farm—where every season she still helps tend the land and care for heritage structures alongside generations of her family—Jennifer’s journey is one of deep commitment to land, legacy, and community. Raised in a family of eco-activists, she developed a strong ethic of environmental care and social responsibility from a young age.
Her academic and professional background as a biologist, biochemist, and naturopathic doctor reflects her reverence for both natural systems and human wellness. That unique blend of scientific insight and holistic thinking is the foundation of her visionary work today—crafting spaces that merge farming, conservation, wellness, and community connection in ways that are both practical and profoundly inspiring.
Affectionately nicknamed “The Firefly” by friends and collaborators, Jennifer is known for lighting up every room she enters—bringing warmth, calm, community and clarity to complex initiatives. Her gift lies in her ability to unite people across backgrounds and sectors, turning good ideas into thriving partnerships and shared successes. She is a natural coach, a compassionate leader, and a strategic builder of teams and dreams.
Jennifer’s mission is as clear as it is powerful: to co-create a world where people and nature thrive together, where farmland is preserved, where communities are nourished, and where generations to come will find joy, connection, and healing in the wild beauty of spaces like Highland Farm Park.
You can find Jennifer’s work and collaborations across initiatives like the National Farm Park Association, and Highland Farm Park on LinkedIn, where her passion for people and the planet continues to shine.

Kira Nuviae

Co-Founder, Highland Farm Park – Director of Wildlife and Environmental Design

Environmental Innovator | Conservation Biologist | Sustainability Strategist

Kira Nuviae is one of the visionary co-founders of Highland Farm Park, where her lifelong passion for wildlife, conservation, and sustainable design finds a real-world home. Raised with her hands in the soil and her heart in the woods, Kira’s journey began at just twelve years old when she held a live songbird during a wildlife demonstration at Prairie Ridge Ecostation. That single moment lit a spark that would guide her academic and professional pursuits for years to come.
Kira’s commitment led her to a rigorous double major in Fisheries & Wildlife Conservation Biology and Environmental Engineering at NC State University, bridging the worlds of ecology and urban infrastructure to craft smart, sustainable solutions for the future. Holding a 4.0+ GPA while balancing intensive coursework, fieldwork, and engineering labs, she has immersed herself in everything from invertebrate studies to deer spotlighting, from AutoCAD modeling to GIS mapping—all while continuing to work alongside her family on their farm, building small structures and driving a skid steer with equal ease.
Her scientific training is matched by deep community engagement. Kira has spent years volunteering at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, advancing from volunteer to curator of ornithological specimens, and continues to work on multiple bird banding projects in the Uwharries. Her work reflects a profound respect for biodiversity and a precise understanding of how human development can—and must—coexist with the natural world.
Through Highland Farm Park, Kira has found a way to unite her two worlds: nature and innovation. Her focus on the intersection of environmental sustainability and urban design has made her a key force behind Highland Farm Park’s vision—a place where conservation, education, community, and ecological development work hand-in-hand.
Kira’s mission is clear: to reimagine our built environments in harmony with nature, and to make the future greener, smarter, and more connected—for people and wildlife alike.

Our Living Treasures

Breed name

Conservation status

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Origin & history

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Unique traits

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Why It Matters

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Adopt This Breed

Breed name

Conservation status

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Origin & history

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Unique traits

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Why It Matters

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Adopt This Breed

Breed name

Conservation status

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Origin & history

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Unique traits

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Why It Matters

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Adopt This Breed

Breed name

Conservation status

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Origin & history

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Unique traits

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Why It Matters

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Adopt This Breed

Animal Types

Poultry

Sheep & Goats

Cattle

Donkeys & Others

Breed of the Month

Learn. Touch. Remember.

Workshops & Seminars

Join our rotating lineup of classes — from beginner breed identification to pasture planning.

Intro to Heritage Breeds
How to Start a Hobby Herd

View Full Workshop Calendar

Join our rotating lineup of classes — from beginner breed identification to pasture planning.

Intro to Heritage Breeds
How to Start a Hobby Herd

View Full Workshop Calendar

Field Trips & School Programs

Bring history to life for your students!”
Bullet points of features:
- Aligned with local curriculum standards
- Interactive breed encounters
- Customizable by grade level

Download K-2 Packet

Download Grades 3–5 Packet

Download Middle School Packet

Bring history to life for your students!”
Bullet points of features:
- Aligned with local curriculum standards
- Interactive breed encounters
- Customizable by grade level

Download K-2 Packet

Download Grades 3–5 Packet

Download Middle School Packet

Tours & Hands-On Activities

Experience farm life up close—guided by our passionate team.
Tour types:
- Barnyard Basics Tour (ages 4–10)
- Junior Caretaker Workshop (ages 10–14)
- Behind-the-Scenes Conservation Tour (teens + adults)

Book Now

Experience farm life up close—guided by our passionate team.
Tour types:
- Barnyard Basics Tour (ages 4–10)
- Junior Caretaker Workshop (ages 10–14)
- Behind-the-Scenes Conservation Tour (teens + adults)

Book Now

Seasonal Events

Mark your calendar for unforgettable moments!”

???? Lamb Day (Spring)

???? Chicken Breed Parade (Summer)

???? Heritage Breed Baby Shower (Early Spring)

View All Events

Mark your calendar for unforgettable moments!”

???? Lamb Day (Spring)

???? Chicken Breed Parade (Summer)

???? Heritage Breed Baby Shower (Early Spring)

View All Events

Plan Your Visit to the Barnyard

Hours & Admission

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Parking & Accessibility

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FAQs

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View Full Workshop Calendar

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View Full Workshop Calendar

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View Full Workshop Calendar

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View Full Workshop Calendar

Buy Tickets

Book a Private Tour

View Events

Let’s Save Rare Breeds Together

Partnership Types

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