Bringing the Country to the City: How Broganville Farms is Changing Lives on the Far Eastside
On six and a half acres on Indianapolis’ far eastside, Kadeem Brogan is bringing the country to the city—and changing lives in the process. At Broganville Farms, horses, alpacas, and peacocks roam freely alongside children experiencing farm life for the first time, all part of Brogan’s mission to serve his community with humility and heart. Through a partnership with the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside, he’s giving inner-city kids more than a day with animals—he’s giving them a reason to believe in who they can become.
On six and a half acres tucked into Indianapolis’ far eastside, something extraordinary is happening. Horses graze beside alpacas. Goats roam freely. Children laugh as they chase animals they’ve only ever seen in books or on screens. This is Broganville Farms—where owner Kadeem Brogan is redefining what community service looks like by bringing farm life directly into the city.
But ask Brogan about being an “owner,” and he’ll quickly redirect the conversation.
“I don’t really care for that type of title,” he says. “I’m just a server for the community.”
That mindset—rooted in humility and purpose—drives everything at Broganville Farms.
A Foundation Built on Family and Service
Brogan’s journey begins on the far eastside, where he was raised surrounded by family. That tight-knit upbringing, combined with lessons from his grandparents, shaped his worldview.
“My grandpa and grandma… they really set the tone,” he explains. “They always had somebody they were helping… just giving to people day in and day out.”
That spirit of generosity became the blueprint for Brogan’s life. Whether serving in the Air Force, working as a firefighter, or now running a farm, his mission has remained consistent: help people.
Family continues to be the backbone of Broganville Farms. From daily operations to emergencies, the Brogan family shows up.
“If I need something done… I call my sister, I call my mom… and they all come running,” Brogan says. “Family is the root that keeps it all going.”
That unity replaces machinery in many cases. Without tractors or large equipment, much of the work is done “off the muscle,” powered by collective effort and shared purpose.
A Farm Unlike Any Other
Broganville Farms isn’t a traditional farm—and that’s by design.
Spread across its acreage are 9 to 10 horses, alpacas, goats, chickens, cows, llamas, sheep, pigs, and even peacocks. The diversity is intentional.
“We try to bring variety because we want the kids to see all types of animals,” Brogan says. “Our mission is to bring the country to the city.”
For many children who visit, it’s their first time touching a horse or interacting with animals up close. And unlike a zoo, where barriers separate people from animals, Broganville Farms encourages direct interaction.
“I let my animals run free and the kids chase them down, hug on them and play with them,” he explains. “The joy that they get is better than recess.”
That hands-on experience is critical. Brogan understands that many inner-city kids learn best through touch and immersion—not observation.
A Vision Rooted in Exposure
The idea for the farm didn’t come from agriculture—it came from exposure, faith, and experience.
“I just got a gift from God… He lets me see stuff that a lot of people can’t see,” Brogan says.
Traveling the world also expanded his perspective, reinforcing the importance of identity and possibility. But ultimately, his passion for people shaped the direction.
“My passion is people. The animals… they just bring the people to me,” he says.
That philosophy transforms Broganville Farms into more than a destination—it becomes a launching point for imagination. Children leave not just with memories, but with new ideas about who they can become.
“I let my animals run free and the kids chase them down, hug on them and play with them. The joy that they get is better than recess.”
— Kadeem Brogan, owner of Broganville Farms
Partnership with the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside
A key part of the farm’s impact is its partnership with the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE), which helps fund summer experiences for inner-city youth.
Each summer, buses of children arrive for camps and programming that introduce them to farm life in ways many never imagined.
“This is a lifetime experience to a lot of these kids,” Brogan says. “A bunch of these kids—it’s their first time ever touching a horse.”
The partnership works because of shared values. Brogan emphasizes that CAFE isn’t just about funding—it’s about genuine community investment.
“They’re just good people,” he says. “When you’re dealing with good people, it’s easy to jump up and help.”
Together, they’ve created a safe, engaging environment where kids can learn, play, and grow. From bounce houses to ponds to open animal interaction, the farm balances fun with education—meeting kids where they are while expanding their horizons.
Beyond animals and activities, Broganville Farms offers something deeper: affirmation.
At the start of many visits, Brogan speaks directly to the children.
“I let the kids know—you’re beautiful, you’re smart… you’re worth something,” he says.
For some, it’s a message they don’t hear often enough. Combined with the experience of the farm, it creates a powerful impact.
Children leave not just having seen animals, but having felt seen themselves.
A Lasting Impact
As Brogan reflects on the work, he understands its significance—not just for today, but for the future.
“There’s kids that come up and say, ‘I want to be a vet… I want to work with animals,’” he says.
That spark—ignited on a small farm in the city—could shape a lifetime.
And for Brogan, that’s the goal.
“I just want to be the introduction,” he says.
At Broganville Farms, that introduction is opening doors, changing perspectives, and proving that sometimes, the most powerful transformations happen when you bring the country to the city.
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