Long-haired Cows and Giant Rabbits
October 23, 2025
Greenville Zoo Breaks Ground on Farmyard Exhibit
Welcoming Farm Animals from Across the Globe to Greenville
The Greenville Zoo and the Greenville Zoo Foundation broke ground on The Phillips Family Farm, a two-acre interactive farmyard exhibit set to open in the Fall of 2026.
“The Phillips Family Farm is the single largest project in our zoo’s 65-year history,” says Bill Cooper, director of the Greenville Zoo. “It’s a place where families can experience the joy of meeting animals up close.”
The exhibit will feature miniature Scottish highland cattle, Mediterranean donkeys from the islands of Italy, alpacas from the Andes Mountains in South America, Flemish giant rabbits originally from Belgium and American barn owls.
The 6,000-square-foot, two-story barn will have animal stalls on the first floor and an event space upstairs. This $3.7 million project is a public-private partnership funded by City appropriations from the South Carolina Legislature and generous financial donations.
“We believe in bringing people to South Carolina to show them what a special place this is,” said state Representative Bruce Bannister. “It helps with business. It helps with tourism. It helps with all the things that are important to South Carolina. Having a place like the Greenville Zoo is incredibly important.”
“The Phillips family farm is one more example of how our community steps up to collectively support not only the operation of the zoo, but also the conservation work that is an integral part of the Greenville Zoo’s mission,” says Dorothy Dowe, Greenville City Councilmember.
The $3.7 million project comes from a $2.3 million allocation from the state and more than $1.3 million in private donations.
“This project is not just about animals and exhibits,” said Cooper. “It’s about our shared commitment to conservation, to fostering a deeper connection between people and wildlife, and to creating experiences that will inspire future generations.”
Construction is set to begin in November. Visit the Zoo online at greenvillezoo.com.
