FAIRFIELD COUNTY – The Fairfield County Ag + Art Tour, part of the biggest free farm tour in the entire country, is returning this weekend – Saturday, June 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 17 from 1 to 5 p.m.
The self-guided tour includes eight Fairfield County farms and other locations. Pack up the cooler and the kids and follow the signs. There will be food, fun, animals and art at every stop.
The farms offer locally grown/produced fresh meats, fruits, vegetables, eggs, honey and more. In addition to the agricultural interests from gardens to barnyard animals, the farms will feature artists and artisans at work as well as their finished pieces. Whether you want to pet an animal, photograph one or paint one, there is something for everyone on the tour. There’ll be painting classes, live music, kid’s activities and games.
Farm tourists can start at any of the eight locations where they can pick up self-guided tour information. There are no admission charges to any of the locations.
Fairfield Farmers and Artisans Market features locally grown produce, meats, herbs, crafts, soaps, baked goods and flowers. Open Saturday only from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 100 Congress St, Winnsboro.
Gypsy Wind Farms features long-haired Mangalitsa pigs, Barbados Blackbelly sheep, live music, petting area for children and demonstratons of solar electricity and milling. 3005 Buckhead Rd. in Blair.
Hanna Hands Farm, a meat and fiber farm offering heritage Dominick chickens, Bourbon Red Turkeys, sheep, rabbits, goats and alpacas. Artist Terri Hoggan-Gratton will host a feed bag workshop on Saturday at 10 a.m. 3283 Longtown Rd., Ridgeway
Meadow Lou Farm, a 150-year-old farm featuring an onsite farm store offering sustainably grown fresh vegetables and other farm fresh items, live music, kids’ activities and games, a demonstration of survival skills and, for sale, barbeque plates, cotton candy and kettle korn. A family-run homesteading farm, it has been in the same family for 110 years. A certified survivalist instructor will be on hand demonstrating survival skills. 53 Meadow Lou Lane, Winnsboro.
REDS Farm features newborn baby goats, working beehives, miniature horse and donkey, chickens, pigs, dairy goats, painting classes by artist Lisa McNeil (10 a.m. and 2 p.m., cost $20) freshly harvested local honey and a gelato vendor. 187 Phoenix Dr, Ridgeway
The Barclay School, a small, non-profit school that offers a hands-on curriculum for kids who learn differently. It will feature chickens, bees, a vegetable garden, Toby the rabbit, Bunnies Brew fertilizer tea, honey, eggs and freshly roasted coffee beans from a women’s fair trade farm in Guatemala. The students roast and package the coffee themselves as well as work with Toby to produce the Bunnies Brew. 1364 Cook Rd, Ridgeway
The Pearl at Monticello, features a panoramic view of Lake Monticello, a tree lined drive, SteelHorse BBQ, desserts, and a tour of the home built circa 1810 and designed by Robert Mills. 5264 State Hwy 215 S, Jenkinsville.
The She Garden, features a whimsical art studio with unusual garden creations, a demonstration of how to farm in recycled materials and containers, a wine bottle house with a growing roof for herbs, free range chickens and ducks. 1450 Newberry Rd, Winnsboro
For more information regarding the farms, artists & artisans check out Facebook AG + ART Tour Fairfield County.
