We’ve told you all about the TN Farm Tour, now let’s talk about the VA side of things! Our VA Farm Tour will take place throughout Washington, Tazewell, and Russell counties in Virginia on Saturday, June 30th, and here’s everything you need to know:
Farms will provide a variety of activities from guided and self-guided tours to demonstrations and hands-on experiences and most farms will have goods for sale. Participants choose their own schedule for the day and how many farms to visit. All farm experiences are family friendly for all ages.
Date: Saturday, June 30, 2018
Where: Washington, Tazewell, and Russell counties in Virginia
Time: 9:30 am – 5 pm
Tickets: Tickets are $15 per vehicle for one day or $25 for both days and may be purchased online at: https://arcd.org/registration/
Tickets may be purchased in-person at Boone St. Market in Jonesborough, TN.
Additional Information:
The regional Farm Fresh Appalachia Farm Tour is a partnership between Appalachian RC&D Council, Appalachian Sustainable Development, Boone Street Market, and the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association, funded by the USDA. This year will be the first of what we hope is an annual event connecting our region to our local farms. Participating farms in Tennessee will be open June 23 and in Virginia on June 30, to welcome the public to experience the farm behind the scenes. Farms will provide a variety of activities from guided and self-guided tours to demonstrations and hands-on experiences, and goods for sale. All farm experiences are family friendly for all ages.
How It Works
- Buy a ticket/car pass.
- Map your route for farms you’d like to visit and plan your day. Don’t forget to factor in driving time and the time it will take to tour the farm. You should allow yourself 1-1.5 hours at each farm. Most visitors see 3-4 farms on tour day. Many farms are offering special programs at specific times, so time your visits to make the most of your day. Take advantage of restrooms along the way. Some farms will have restroom facilities available — but many do not.
- Bring a cooler, freezer bags, and some cash. Many farms offer on-farm sales on tour day. You will be able to purchase fresh produce, baked goods, plants, and other farm products.
- Dress for the weather (rain or shine!) and wear some sturdy shoes. Skip the perfume and heavily-scented body sprays — or the bees and bugs will find you. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
- Arrange a dog sitter – No dogs are allowed on the tour and all farms request that you do not bring your dog. Dogs can pose issues with farm animals.
Virginia Tour Schedule
Below is a suggested schedule for the day but you can create your own schedule! You can pick your car pass and materials up at any farm the day of the event. Pre-registration online is required.
Stop 1: Clinch River Farm (630 Estates Dr, Pounding Mill, VA) – they will be open for guests from 9:30a-noon. Located along the Clinch River this 70 acre farm is the venue for weddings, summer camps, and more. They have also won many awards for Green Technology.
Stop 2: The Farmer’s Daughter/Ferrell Farm (310 Claypool Hill Mall Rd, Cedar Bluff, VA) will be open from 11a-5p for guests. This farm will offer an array of activities along with free popcorn and water. Some of the activities will be a petting zoo, playground, wagon rides around a 3 acre cornfield and more!
Stop 3: Moyer Family Farm (3808 Reeds Valley Rd, Castlewood, VA) is a must see. This family-owned farm has cattle, vegetables, mushrooms, flowers, nuts, fruits, etc. Guests will be accepted from 1p-5p.
Local lunch suggestion: White Birch Food & Juice (170 East Main St, Abingdon, VA)
Stop 4: Abingdon Vineyard & Winery (located at 26449 Twin River Trail, Abingdon, VA) will be accepting tour guest from 1p-5p. The immediate area around the winery is a park-like setting with trees, wildlife, soft rippling sounds of the stream and sounds of the South Holston River rolling over the rocks. Grab some lunch to go in town and travel on to the winery for a picnic lunch and wine tasting!
Stop 5: Kelly Ridge Farms (30558 Old Saltworks Rd, Meadowview, VA) is a beautiful hops farm just among the ridges and valleys of Southwest, VA. The farm gets its name from the ridge that overlooks it and the ridge gets its name from the family that owns the farm. The land has been in the family since 1790! Check it out!
Stop 6: Dreamland Alpacas (13050 Bell Ln, Meadowview, VA) is a family owned and operated sustainable alpaca farm. This farm loves to show off their precious alpacas! They also have a store on the farm where you can purchase alpaca products such as socks, beanies, scarves, teddy bears, and more.
Stop 7: Harvest Table Farm (28413 Smyth Chapel Rd, Meadowview, VA) this farm provides vegetables, berries, and wild edibles. The tour will afford you the opportunity to learn about different methods used on the farm and why they are important. Some highlights on the tour will be hoop houses, greenhouses, chickens, beneficial insect garden, and a small orchard.
Local dinner suggestion: Harvest Table Restaurant (13180 Meadowview Square, Meadowview, VA) opens at 5pm/closes at 9pm. They will offer a 10% discount (excluding alcohol) to any farm tour participants that bring their pass in for dinner. Offer is only good for June 30th.
The Virginia Tour offers three (3) county Clusters: Washington County, Tazewell County and Russell County. Check out all the clusters here!