Farm Tour and Harvest Sale on Saturday-Sunday, July 22-23, Will Offer Access to Fresh Produce, Farm Animals and Craft Beverage Industry

Per Montgomery County: The 2023 Montgomery County Farm Tour and Harvest Sale on Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23, will be a unique opportunity for residents to explore 21 select farms in the County’s Agricultural Reserve, shop local, enjoy fresh food, see farm animals and learn about farming as a way of life. The Farm Tour will offer a chance to visit select farms, some of which are only open to the public during this special weekend event.

Tourgoers can get a behind-the-scenes look at agriculture from robotic cow-milking to butter churning. Participating farms will offer a variety of activities including hayrides, pony rides and tractor rides. Some locations will have arts and crafts.
The tours are self-guided driving tours. Most tour locations and events are free to explore. However, select sites or activities, such as picking fruit or flowers, require a nominal fee. There are charges for products, food and drinks sold at the locations.
“Montgomery County is often recognized as a great place to live, work and for its arts and entertainment but we also have 558 farms and 350 horticultural businesses in the County. Agriculture annually pumps $282 million into the County’s economy,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Farming is vital to the economic health of Montgomery County. Taking the Farm Tour is a great way for residents to support local businesses by exploring one of the country’s most vibrant farming and craft beverage industries, located practically in their own backyards.”

Montgomery County’s Office of Agriculture touts the rural Agricultural Reserve as one of the County’s hidden treasures. While Montgomery County is home to a diverse population of more than 1 million people, about one-third of its land mass is dedicated to agricultural uses. It is the highest percentage of farmland under formally dedicated agricultural land preservation in the nation.
“We invite residents to escape their everyday life, take a day trip to rustic Upcounty and experience farm life firsthand,” said County Office of Agriculture Director Jeremy Criss. “This will be a weekend to enjoy all the farm fresh food, craft beverages and natural beauty that the Ag Reserve has to offer.”

Tourgoers can take part in the Buy Local Challenge to pick fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers or simply appreciate the peacefulness of the Ag Reserve.
The Farm Tour organizers suggest three self-guided tours.

• The Grape & Grain Tours: Comprised of two separate self-driving tours, there is an opportunity to visit three farm wineries, four breweries or combine both into a comprehensive tour of the Ag Reserve’s craft beverage industry.
• Farms-2-Feast Tour: Buying local and purchasing meats, eggs, fruits, vegetables, herbs, milk and desserts along the route will provide opportunities to create meals made entirely from ingredients grown in Montgomery County. Home chefs can complete their farm-to-table dinner menu with a variety of specialty craft beverages from local farm breweries, wineries and cideries featured in on the Grape & Grain Tours.
• The Revive the Sunday Drive Tour: A relaxing, scenic tour highlighting the beautiful countryside of the Ag Reserve features suggested stops for picnics, walks/hikes and photo opportunities.

During the Farm Tour weekend, all 21 participating farms will be open on Saturday, July 22, and 17 farms will be open on Sunday, July 23. Tourgoers should check the 2023 Farm Tour website for each farm they plan to visit for any additional costs, details on hours and activities or to make any necessary reservations. No pets are allowed except service animals for persons with disabilities.

The participating farms will include:

• 61 Vineyard
• Butler’s Orchard
• Button Farm Living History Center
• Camp Olympia
• Doc Waters Cidery
• East Rivendell Farm
• Homestead Farm
• King Barn Dairy MOOseum
• Kingsbury’s Orchard
• Landmade Farm Brewery
• Lewis Orchards
• Lone Oak Farm Brewery
• Madison Fields
• Pleasant Valley Farm
• R.B. Savage & Sons Farm, LLC
• Red Wiggler Community Farm
• Rockhill Orchard
• Rocklands Farm Winery
• Two Story Chimney Ciderworks & Silly Yak Beer
• Waredaca Farm Brewing Company
• Windridge Vineyards