Farm Tour Season Has Arrived!!!

I love Farm Tours and it gives me great pleasure to share this family fall experience with all of you!

As a kid my parents dragged me on many farm tours and now as an adult, some of my fondest memories are from those times. For instance, at every dairy farm I would take several cartons of milk (free samples), stow away somewhere out of sight and feed all the farm kitties (ok, I still do this).

I continue this tradition to this day and it's time to gear up for the 2011 Farm Tour Season!

So what is a Farm Tour?

A Farm Tour is a self-driven tour usually consisting 4-5 different types of farms and a few local landmarks.  You will be traveling the back roads of rural farm country, but these tours are always very well planned and clearly marked.  Don't count on your GPS, because there's no WIFI out in these areas folks.  You can pick-up a map at any tour location, which will describe each destination so you can decide if it's of interest.

Who has Farm Tours?

Various rural counties host them.  It takes a little online research to find them - but if you can get to one of the areas of interest and get the map, you're all set or many are now posting the maps online.

What is the purpose of a Farm Tour?

Farm Tours were actually designed to give area farmers a chance to meet other area farmers and talk shop.  As a result, these tours don't tend to be widely publicized.  Don't let that stop you city slickers, everyone is extremely friendly and inviting.  However, don't be surprised if they ask you what type of farm you have - I have been asked this many times.

For you, a Farm Tour is an opportunity to experience a working farm first hand, try new things and commune with nature.

What to do on a Farm Tour?

Besides experiencing an Alpaca Farm or a Buffalo Farm (yes, they are in Ohio) or a Wine Chalet (you never know who will be included) or a historic schoolhouse; I take this opportunity to stock up on Fall Favorites as well as Amish staples: apples (there's always an orchard), pumpkins, pumpkin butter, maple syrup, molasses, honey etc. (there's always a country store nearby).  And don't worry about lunch, there is a variety of food available throughout the tour.

I'm ready!  Where should I go?

I'm partial to the Medina County Farm Tours, which are actually called the:

Medina Fall Foliage Tour

When: 10/8/11 - 10/9/11
Where: Medina County (check the map for addresses)
Time: 12pm - 6pm
Cost: Free

Here's your map!

or check out the:

2011 Lorain County Fall Farm Tour

When: 9/24/11
Where: Lorain County (check the map for addresses)
Time: 12pm - 5pm
Cost: Free

Here's your map!

Anything else I need to know?

Yes!  Farm Tour day is the perfect day to break out the crock pot!  There is nothing better than returning from a long, exhausting day on the farm to a house filled with the aroma of home cooked chilli.  The next best thing is the realization that you don't have to cook at the end of that long, exhausting day!

Don't forget the camera!
The Hoff