If you want to see where local food is grown and raised, take the Miami County Farm Tour this weekend and meet the farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, berries and pecans, and check out the alpacas, Hereford cattle, horses, winery, cider mill and a general store.
This free, self-guided tour highlights the local farm products found on the back roads of Miami County. Each site offers family activities, and many will have picnic areas and items for sale.
All of the stops will be open Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information or a map, call 913-294-4045 or refer to the online Miami County Farm Tour.
The 2016 farms and visitor stops includes:
Boston Berry Farm 27750 Normandy Rd., Louisburg, KS
This three-acre farm and nursery grows native plants, shrubs, fruit and some unique plants rarely found in the area.
Cy and Dee’s Blackberries 28615 Rockville Rd., Louisburg, KS
Check out the trellises and drip-line watering system for the 1,400 thornless blackberry plants on this farm. The berry-picking season is mid-July through August. Customers can pick their own or buy them by the basket. The farm also sells tomatoes and sweet corn in season.
Louisburg Cider Mill 14730 W 68 Hwy., Louisburg, KS
Stop by for a look at the products grown on this 70-acre farm adjacent to the Cider Mill and Country Store. It includes interactive presentations on how pumpkins, squash and corn are grown and how these crops are used as finished goods.
Middle Creek Winery 4353 W. 351st St., Louisburg, KS
Tour the vineyards and try the hand crank apple press. Enjoy handcrafted wines made in the renovated horse barn. Horse and wagon rides will be available.
Moe and Jeannie Trail’s Produce and Ponies 34135 W. 255th St., Paola, KS
This boutique farm offers fresh vegetables that are free of pesticides and herbicides. Seasonal produce includes rhubarb, spinach, lettuce, new potatoes, cucumbers, squash and tomatoes. If the weather is good, the farm horses, Cupcake and Fancy, will be available for carriage rides.
New Lancaster General Store 36688 New Lancaster Rd., Paola, KS
Built as an agriculture co-op for local farmers’ produce, the General Store has been a creamery and sold chickens and eggs. Visitors can tour this living agricultural history and see a cream separator and egg scale.
Prothe’s Pecans 33850 Victory Rd., Paola, KS
The Prothe’s Pecans farm has been in the Prothe family since 1879. Visitors will be able to taste fresh pecans, see equipment in operation and tour the orchard on a hayrack ride. Pecans and black walnuts will be available for sale.
Rigney-Yoho Farmstead 29975 Rogers Rd., Louisburg, KS
At this 19th century farmstead, visitors can tour the barn, visit the horses, feed the animals and take a wildflower walk. Lesley Rigney will share information about the area’s natural resources, native plants and animals, and Tim Yoho will talk about his ranching background and his sustainably produced, local beef.
Serenita Farm and Fiber 33960 Somerset Rd., Paola, KS
Get a chance to feed the alpacas, watch a shearing demonstration and see products made from their fiber on this 15-acre working farm.
Silver Lining Herefords 8435 W. 295th St., Louisburg, KS
Visit a family farm that raises Registered Polled Herefords that are free of hormones, steroids and antibiotics.
