By ANDREA McCANN
Indiana Correspondent

ATLANTA, Ind. — Carley Elk Farm, located in Hamilton County, Ind. will be open to the public for free tours on Saturday, Sept. 12. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can check out the elk herd and participate in other activities.

“We’ll entertain you – from 2-year-olds to 100-year-olds,” said Cliff Carley, who operates the farm with his wife, Angie, and their children, Danielle and Clayton.

Carley said there will be hayrides, antique tractors to see, a craft booth, face painting, elk-related kids games, and a pumpkin patch. There are walking trails on the 50-acre farm, but anyone unable to manage the trails on foot can catch a ride on a golf cart, according to Carley. The Carley family and Indiana Deer & Elk Farmers Assoc., which sponsors the event, will have members on hand to answer questions. For those who work up an appetite in the fresh country air, elk burgers, chips and a drink will be available for $4.

“We open the farm to the public that day,” Carley said. “It’s kind of our day to say thank you. The only charge is for food.”

Currently, 30 head of elk, 19 head of whitetail deer, and an assortment of fowl roam the farm. The Carleys sell elk meat, antlers and other merchandise, and they offer tours year-round for school groups and others. They also have a rent-an-elk program. The deer are raised for breeding stock and shooting preserves. The Carleys began raising elk in 2001 and added the whitetail deer in 2008.

According to Carley, the farm-raised elk are grain fed, with no hormones, antibiotics or other unnatural products used in their feed. All meats are inspected and processed in a state-certified facility, he added. They sell burger patties, brats, sausage, snack sticks, jerky, barbeque and various cuts of steak.

“We like to call them ‘beyond organic’ products,” he said.
Elk meat is low in fat and cholesterol, and it has fewer calories than most traditional red meats. “Elk, the healthy red meat,” is their catch phrase.

“It has less fat and cholesterol than skinless chicken,” Carley said.
The velvet from elk antlers also is healthy. It contains glucosamine, chondrotin sulfate, amino acids, omega 3 and 6, collagen, calcium, iron, and other minerals. It’s used for arthritis relief and prevention; to promote energy, stamina and muscle development; to boost the immune system; and as an anti-inflammatory.

To get to the 50-acre farm, turn west off State Rd. 37 at East 281st St., go to North Haworth Rd. and head north. The address is 29113 N. Haworth Rd. For more information about their farm or the tour, go to www.elk4u.com or phone the Carleys at 765-552-9999.