The Silos At Prairie Vale, Green Ridge
August 2022
Upon our arrival, Kit, Sam, and Mucky came running, meowing in greeting. Near the farmhouse patio, Benny, the slightly intimidating but harmless resident turkey, strutted his massive plumage while Cupcake, the three-month-old white goat, scampered around the yard.
The animals are definitely entertaining at Wendy and Doug Needy’s Prairie Vale Farm. Equally delightful are the two cozy and artfully tricked-out grain silos, “Lil’ Silo on the Prairie” and “Farm Punk.”
“One of our daughters felt a bit disenfranchised because she didn’t have her own room with four girls in the house,” says Wendy. “So, Doug decided to turn one of our eight grain silos into her bedroom. She became the talk of her friends and acquaintances!”
Doug, who grew up across the road where his parents still live, cleaned the silo and saved the metal floor to create the bathroom ceiling, added a small kitchen and built a loft for the double bed. A plumber and septic system installer, he welded the stairway and added insulation. After their daughter went to college, the Needys turned “Lil’ Silo on the Prairie” into a bed and breakfast. It was such a hit, they added “Farm Punk,” which features a queen bed and cedar shingle ceiling.
When my husband and I arrived, Wendy introduced me to her menagerie. I cuddled week-old baby goats, Millie and Jack, and bottle-fed adorable Cupcake. I held newborn kittens that didn’t have their eyes open yet. The donkey and miniature horse ate grain from my hand.
Afterward, I plopped into the hammock by the pond where guests can fish using poles provided by the Needys. Guests can also borrow bikes and cruise nearby Katy Trail. Come evening, yard games and s’more fixings at the fire pit invite relaxation. We lounged by the pond and watched the sunset as turtles peeked out of the water.
If you don’t bring your own dinner, the German town of Cole Camp lies 30 minutes to the southwest with several excellent restaurants and boutique shopping. Sedalia is 20 minutes away. Shops and greenhouses in the nearby Amish community of Windsor sell plants, produce, furniture and bulk spices and food.
The next morning, Wendy’s yummy breakfast in our frig included ramekin French toast with homemade blueberry syrup, mixed fruit, local sausage and freshly-roasted Omega Coffee. Before heading home, I fed the animals again, with extra grain that Wendy had placed in our silo, and I bought bars of her scented goat milk soap. Guests receive miniature bars in the bathroom along with her homemade goat milk caramels in the fridge.
Visit TheSilosAtPrairieVale.com for more information.