For some people, driving through a rural area during a road trip is the closest they have ever come to seeing a real, working farm. As their car zooms down the road, perhaps they are intrigued by a lone tractor working off in the distance, a gathering of cows in a pasture, or giant bales of hay spread out across the land. As they pass through, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells, farms are often unfamiliar, mysterious places – especially for the city folks. This October, the world of farming will be opened up for all to see.
The St. Clair County Agricultural Preservation Board, in concert with the St. Clair Conservation District, and the St. Clair County Farm Bureau, will host the 5th Annual St. Clair County Fall Farm Tour on Saturday, October 2, 2010. The free tour will last from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and will feature a variety of farm operations, giving visitors a great opportunity to discover the diversity of agriculture in the region.
The tour includes a blueberry farm, a hay farm, a dairy farm and a goat farm. The Ag Board hopes that this event will bring families from all over the region, especially from more urbanized areas, to have fun while learning about rural life. The greater mission of this annual event is to reinforce the notion that agriculture is vital to the county’s economy and quality of life.
The Fall Farm Tour is truly a wonderful event that is fun for families and friends, adults and children. Come see why our residents are so proud of St. Clair County’s rich agricultural heritage.
This year’s Fall Farm Tour will be centered in the Capac area and will include the following tour stops:
· Lauwers’ Hay Farm in Mussey Township
· Blue Ridge Blueberry Farm in Mussey Township
· Hymnotes Goat Farm in Mussey Township
· Stuever’s Dairy Farm in Lynn Township
. Sunny Fields Botanical Park in Emmett Township
. BST Orchards in Emmett Township
Spend an enjoyable day with your family touring the countryside, see fall colors and learn about rural life. The tour is free and the farms are close together to help you save time and gas money! Visitors can stop by any of the farms at any point throughout the day from 10:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. There is no set schedule or route. Be sure to tell your family and friends! For more information on the farm tour and a map of the tour stops, go online and visit the St. Clair County Agricultural Preservation Board’s website at http://cis.stclaircounty.org/agriculture.asp.
