This website serves Farmers and Ranchers in the Kansas AgriTourism Industry.
Welcome to Kansas AgriTourism!
This website has been developed specifically for Kansas farmers and ranchers involved in AgriTourism, rural properties where the traveler has an opportunity to experience farm and country life far from the hustle of the city.
the Kansas Agriculture Marketing Division and the Travel and Tourism Division of the Department of Commerce
and with financial assistance from Frontier Farm Credit.
We invite you to explore this website to find a variety of articles and resources that will help you succeed in agritourism.
If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Commerce, Travel and Tourism Division, and ask for the Agritourism Liaison.
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Experience local Farms during the Kaw Valley Farm Tour
Lawrence, Kan. – The Kaw Valley region offers a wealth of unique agricultural sights, tastes and traditions. The 2005 Kaw Valley Farm Tour, October 1-2, celebrates those experiences. Sixteen participating farms will open their venues to the public for the weekend of October 1-2 and will offer special activities for kids, families and adults that are available only during the tour.
The participating farms produce a variety of products including nuts, fruits, Christmas trees, wines, flowers pumpkins and wool products. Special activities will include petting zoos, opportunities to sample and purchase farm-fresh foods, educational tours and hayrides. A $10 pass provides a carload entrance to all the farms for the entire weekend, so the biggest challenge will be deciding which farms to visit. The entrance pass also includes a tour and activity guidebook with maps and detailed information about each farm.
Tickets for the Tour and special food events may be purchased in advance from Community Mercantile Coop, 901 Iowa St.; Lawrence Visitor Information Center, 402 N. 2nd St.; K-State Research & Extension Douglas County, 2110 Harper; Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market or at any participating farm the day of the event. Additional information and maps are available online at www.visitlawrence.com/farmtour.
Other weekend activities include the Farm Tour Kickoff Picnic on Thursday, September 29 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Centennial Park, 9th and Iowa St. Help kick off the event with a picnic featuring live music and a variety of locally-produced foods including Pork Loin burgers, Merc Deli salads and Marcon Pies. Tickets are $5/person.
On Saturday, October 1, at 6:30 p.m. a special Kaw Valley Foods Dinner will be held at Prairie Elf Christmas Trees, 765 E 750 Rd. This multi-course event will delight with local wine and beer and gourmet foods prepared by Chef Paige Vandegrift. Seating is limited. Tickets are $50 per plate and must be purchased in advance.
Enjoy a hearty country-style breakfast on Sunday, October 2 from 10a.m.-noon at Pendleton’s Country Market, 1446 E 1850 Rd. Prepared by the Merc Deli, guests will feast on buttermilk biscuits with gravy, roasted vegetable frittatas, locally produced juices and fruits. Tickets are $8 per person and must be purchased in advance.
Additional information about the events is available at www.visitlawrence.com/farmtour.
Click to download brochure (pdf)
2005 Kaw Valley Farm Tour – Participating Farms
LAWSON BROTHERS
Gary Lawson
1862 E. 700 Rd.
Baldwin City, KS 66006
(785) 594-3936
gary@lawsonbrothersfarm.com
www.lawsonbrothersfarm.com
In the summer season this historic Douglas County farm raises strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Through their conservation efforts and practices, it is also a great location for bird watching. Guided tours will pass the fruit plantings to a conservation area that has tree plantings, grass buffer strips, and a blue bird trail. The walking tour will also stop at historical structures still standing on the property, giving the visitor a sense of being in the late 1800s. Be sure to bring a camera!
FIELDSTONE ENTERPRISES
Nancy & Ken Krause
7049 E. 149th St.
Overbrook, KS 66524
(785) 665-7643 kkrause@sftnet.org
www.fieldstonee.com
Experience a taste of Tuscany at this Osage County orchard. The craftsmanship of the stonework buildings is repeated in the layout of the farm and the quality of its products. Golf cars provide you intra-orchard transportation. Pick some apples, visit the animals and enjoy refreshments from the Deli under the grape arbor.
EARTH FLOWERS
Brian Henry & Jozie Schimke
248 N. 1700 Rd.
Lecompton, KS 66050
(785) 331-0671
thedrygarden@aol.com
HENRYS’ PLANT FARM
Roy & Marcia Henry
248 N. 1700 Rd.
Lecompton, KS 66050
(785) 887-6344
henrysplants@aol.com
www.thehenrysplantfarm.com
Old McDonald does not live on this farm, but at least 1 of all his animals do! Be sure to talk to the animals as you stroll through the many greenhouses and display gardens on the farm. Draft horses will pull you on a hayride through the prairie, and return you to the myriad of display gardens. Visit the Family Gardens and see a butterfly garden, grandma’s garden, a sensory garden, the A-Z garden and a garden railroad.
WAKARUSA VALLEY FARM
Mark Lumpe & Julie Waters 965 E. 1000 Rd.
Lawrence, KS 66047
(785) 749-4241
Here’s your chance to visit one of the best known organic farms in northeast Kansas. See the fields of greens that will become salads on many local dinner tables. This instructional tour stop will show you sustainable growing methods such as crop rotation, utilization of cover crops, and integrated pest management.
DAVENPORT ORCHARD, VINEYARD AND WINERY
Greg Shipe & Charlee Glinka
1394 E. 1900 Rd.
Eudora, KS 66025
(785) 542-2278
ks_wines@hotmail.com
www.davenportwinery.com
One of the oldest and best known horticultural farm in northeast Kansas, this vineyard and tree fruit operation exemplifies the value-added process. The owners grow 95% of the fruit it uses to make wine. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the vineyard, learn the history of grape growing in Kansas, and of course sample the results of the labor and love that go into making wines from hand picked fruit.
SCHAAKE’S PUMPKIN PATCH
Larry & Janet Schaake
1791 N. 1500 Rd.
Lawrence, KS 66046
(785) 843-2459
jlschaake@netscape.net
www.schaakespumpkinpatch.com
This family farm is THE pumpkin patch that has entertained generations in the Lawrence area. They have been in the family fun business for 30 years, promoting pumpkins, gourds, and fall decorating items. Have your picture taken at one of the many photo-ops, and try a refreshing cider slush at the concession stand. Enjoy a hayride to the field, pick a pumpkin, and leave time to play at this memory making farm.
ZIMMERMAN’S KILL CREEK FARM
Darrel Zimmerman
9210 Kill Creek Rd.
DeSoto, KS 66018
(913) 583-1811
zimmermanskillcreekfarm@yahoo.com
Enjoy a horse-drawn hayride to the pumpkin patch, feed the barnyard chickens and study the bees in their observation hive. This farm’s primary mission is to provide fun and educational farm experiences for all generations. The Rotarians will spice up Saturday, Oct. 1st with their annual Chili Cook-Off. All activities are centered around the beautiful historical barn and windmill that can be seen from Hwy K-10.
MAGGIE’S FARM
Barbara & David Clark
2050 E. 1550 Rd.
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 842-4102
maggiesfarm@sbcglobal.net
www.maggiesfarm-ks.com
Home to a hand spinner’s flock of sheep, wool is what you will learn about on this farm. A sheep to shawl demonstration will be the showcased event for the weekend, with proceeds of the sale of the shawl going to the Lawrence Humane Society. The farmers’ market is the usual sales venue for this farm, so this is the time to visit the lambs personally. Scare crow making activities add to this farm experience.
HAMILL’S COUNTRY GARDENS
Pam & Greg Hamill
1236 N. 100 Rd.
Baldwin City, KS 66006
(785) 594-7535
countrygardens@grapevine.net
Mums, perennials, pumpkins, gourds…full fall flavor will greet you at this farm. Besides fall decorations, this farm offers a fun afternoon for the kids that will include sack races, a gourd house, petting zoo, and of course pumpkin and gourd picking. Be sure to try your skills at bobbing for apples hanging from strings and painting pumpkins.
PENDLETON’S COUNTRY MARKET
John & Karen Pendleton
1446 E. 1850 Rd.
Lawrence, KS 66046
(785) 843-1409
karenp@pendletons.com
www.pendletons.com
This farm is a diversified family farm growing vegetables, bedding plants, cut flowers and commodity crops (corn and soybeans). During the fall this farm celebrates the harvests, decorations from nature and butterflies. Enjoy kid’s activities that include arts and crafts from nature, mazes, a tyke track, bug hunts, and of course tagging butterflies with Monarch Watch. Hayrides around the farm include stops at the pumpkin patch, flower field and Garden Barn.
PRAIRIE ELF CHRISTMAS TREES
Kathy Heeb
765 E. 750 Rd.
Lawrence, KS 66047
(785) 748-0992
prairieelf@aol.com
www.elftrees.com
Celebrate Christmas in October! Have your holiday picture taken among the acres of Christmas trees or next to an antique sleigh. A hayride will take you around this farm as you learn about the production of trees for winter decorating and landscaping. This farm is known for its creative arts and craft projects provided for younger visitors. A petting zoo provided by 4-Hers and a draft horse plowing demonstration will be a highlight for kids and adults.
KUGLER’S VINEYARD
Anthony Kugler
1235 N. 1100 Rd.
Lawrence, KS 66047
(785) 843-8516
akugler@sunflower.com
While tasting wine and touring the vineyard, learn about the long history of grape growing in Kansas. At one time Kansas was in the top 10 grape producing states in the U.S. Weather permitting, grape crushing demonstration will give you a sense of the work that goes into wine production. Revel in seeing the joy owners of this farm as they have turned their hobby into a business.
VINLAND VALLEY NURSERY
Amy Albright & Doug Davison
1606 N. 600 Rd.
Baldwin City, KS 66006
(785) 594-2966
dougnamy@idir.net.
www.vinlandvalleynursery.com
Discover this gem of a garden center near Vinland. The farm tour weekend will feature a Rare Plant Sale with many varieties of hard to find native and specialty plants. Bring your children for the “kids garden experience” where they will be able to paint their own flower pot. Support the Vinland Elementary School PTO by shopping the wonderful baked goods they will have at the farm this weekend.
RIVER FIELD FARM PECANS
Robert Russell
9609 15th Street
Perry, KS 66073
(785) 841-2708
rrussell@sunflower.com
www.riverfieldfarm.com
Visit this farm that balances wildlife conservation with a pick-your-own pecan grove. You will be able to pick your own pecans with the help of the “tree shaker” under the guidance of this farm’s family members. The canopy of pecan trees is a perfect picnic spot, where you will see wildlife flourishing near the Kaw River.
REES FRUIT FARM
Rex & Shannon Rees
2476 K-4 Hwy (Junction K-4 & US 24)
Topeka, KS 66617
(785) 246-3257
rexerees@aol.com.
www.reesfruitfarm.com
Take a step back in time at this 3rd generation family farm which is the oldest fruit farm in Kansas. Apples, pumpkins, hayrides and clowns will greet your family for a fun day in the country. Learn how the apples are grown, harvested and turned into cider. Be sure to try the apple slushes and apple cider doughnuts.
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