Lawrence, Kan. — The Kaw Valley region of northeast Kansas offers a wealth of unique agricultural sights, tastes and traditions. The 2009 Kaw Valley Farm Tour, October 3-4, celebrates those experiences. Eighteen participating farms will open their venues to the public for the weekend of October 3-4 and will offer special activities for kids, families and adults that are available only during the tour. The farms will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
The participating farms produce a variety of products including nuts, fruits, wines, flowers pumpkins, bison, honey and wool products. Special activities will include horse-drawn hayrides, opportunities to sample and purchase farm-fresh foods, educational tours, wine tastings and pick-your-own farms. 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.
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 during the event. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.quiltingfabricsupply.com. Additional information and maps are available online at www.visitlawrence.com/farmtour or at www.kawvalleyfarmtour.org.
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2009 Kaw Valley Farm Tour – Participating Farms
Ad Astra Alpacas
Claudia and Bob Hey
168 E 1700 Rd. Baldwin City KS 66006
http://www.alpacanation.com/
Meet and feed alpacas up close and personal. Alpacas are gentle animals with a serenity you can feel after being around them. Come see the animals and the luxurious fiber they produce.
Blossom Trail Bee Ranch
Richard A. Bean
669 E. 2100 Rd. Baldwin City, KS 66006
(785) 979-2649
See the process of extracting honey along with a live beehive exhibit. Also learn how this farm integrates garden production and a laying flock of chickens.
BlueJacket Crossing Vineyard & Winery
Pep Solberg/Selvan
1969 N 1250 Rd, Eudora
(785) 542-1764
www.bluejacketwinery.com
Behind-the-scenes look at the organization of a working vineyard and farm winery. See the initial wine making process with crushing and pressing, and visit the tasting room.
Davenport Orchards & Winery
Greg Shipe & Charlee Glinka
1394 E 1900 Rd, Eudora
(785) 542-2278
www.davenportwinery.com
Featuring grape pruning demonstrations and wine tasting. Davenport wines are made from 100% Kansas-grown product.
Hamills' Country Gardens
Pam & Greg Hamill
1236 N 100 Rd, Baldwin
(785) 594-7535
Family farm in business for 14 years. Specializing in greenhouse plants, chrysanthemums, pumpkins, gourds, and fall decorations.
Henrys’ Plant Farm/Earth Flowers
Roy & Marcia Henry / Brian Henry & Jozie Schimke
248 N 1700 Rd., Lecompton, KS
(785) 594-7535
www.thehenrysplantfarm.com
The Henrys and Earth Flowers are best known for their bedding plants, perennials, shrubs, cut flowers and succulents, but the farm also has cows, sheep, pigs, alpaca, chickens and peacocks. Take a look behind-the-scenes look at the farm and greenhouse operations.
Holy-Field Winery
Les & Michelle Meyer
18807 158th St, Basehor, KS
www.holyfieldwinery.com
One of the oldest vineyards in Kansas, operated by a father-daughter team. Walk the vineyard and orchard, taste the wine, visit the cellar and gift shop. Bring a picnic and enjoy one of their award-winning wines.
K-State Horticulture Research & Extension Center
Ted Carey
35230 W 135th St Olathe, KS
Tel: 913-856-2335 ext. 120
www.hightunnels.org
www.growinggrowers.org
This is a research and teaching farm aimed at improving local food production. See and learn about high tunnels that extend fruit and vegetable growing seasons and view organic and conventional comparisons of a variety of crops.
Landeria Farm
Kathy Landers
11395 Gardner Rd. Olathe, KS
(913) 397-6962
A Grade A dairy and microcreamery, Landeria produces farmstead cave-aged goat cheese from registered Alpine goats. See goats being milked and cheese being made.
Lawrence Landscape
Frank Male
Lawrence, KS
785-843-4370
www.lawrencelandscape.com
Visit this 43-acre tree farm to learn how trees are grown and about the benefits of locally-grown trees and what varieties are best-suited for our area. Kids will get to paint a pumpkin and navigate remote-controlled boats on the irrigation pond. The trebuchet will also be out for pumpkin chucking.
Lone Star Bison Ranch
Don & Terri Gibbs
588 N 300th Rd, Overbrook, KS
(785) 594-2926
www.lonestarbison.com
Visit and feed bison, visit with producers and sample bison meat on this family-owned bison ranch.
Maggie’s Farm
Barbara & David Clark
2050 E 1550 Rd., Lawrence, KS
(785) 842-4102
www.maggiesfarm-ks.com
Spinning and weaving demonstrations and an opportunity to meet the sheep! This sustainable farm integrates livestock with vegetable and fruit production.
Pendleton's Country Market
John & Karen Pendleton
1446 E 750 Rd, Lawrence
(785) 843-1409
www.pendletons.com
This is a diversified family farm growing vegetables, bedding plants, cut flowers and commodity crops. Farm Tour attendees will receive free admittance to the Butterfly Bio-Villa and will enjoy arts and crafts for the kids, hayrides and a gourd sling shot.
Prairie Elf Christmas Trees
Kathy Heeb
765 E 750 Rd., Lawrence
(785)748-0992
www.elftrees.com
Learn about the environmental benefits of trees, seedling planting and tree care. Take a hayride wagon around the farm and enjoy the birds and antique tractors.
Prairie Moon Waldorf School Market Garden
1853 E 1600 Rd., Lawrence
Students are growing heirloom tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, beans, onions, herbs, greens and squash in this outdoor classroom.
Screamin' Oaks
Roxane McCoy
18171 198th St., Tonganoxie, KS
(913) 845-2775
Sample and taste products from the farm, including goat milk, cheese and ice cream. Also check out soap and lotions made from goat milk produced on the farm and enjoy spinning, weaving and soapmaking demonstrations.
Sleepy Jean’s Confections
Jean Younger
972 E 750 Rd., Lawrence, KS
(785) 330-3662
Learn more about chocolate manufacturing and taste fresh, locally-made chocolate.
Vesecky Family Farms
John & Sharon Vesecky
William & Joanna Vesecky
1814 N 600 Rd, Baldwin City
(785) 594-2493
www.veseckyfamilyfarms.com
Picturesque Vinland Valley farm producing home-grown, healthy, high-quality strawberries, blueberries, sweet corn, beef, elk and pasture-raised poultry. Take a hayride of the farm and learn about this 1880s farmstead.
