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Unique farm tour to feature hands-on experience, demonstrations 

 

POLK COUNTY—Those interested in learning more about homesteading in the area will soon have an opportunity to do so.

‘A Day on the Homestead,’ a local farm tour organized by Polk County Farms, will give visitors the opportunity to witness different homesteads of varying sizes, uses and goals. The tour will feature three homesteading families who will welcome visitors to their farms, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 14. 

The homesteads will showcase various demonstrations throughout the day, including sheep hoof trimming, goat milking, feeding livestock, fence repairs, preserving the harvest, mushroom log inoculation and much more. To catch all three, specific tours will be available at each farm at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m., along with a skill demonstration. Visitors can either design their own tour to visit all three farms or choose to visit just one. Each farm will also have a display of what they grow and produce on their land, and educate guests about growing and preserving food, sustainable practices, home dairying, animal husbandry and simple living.

“Getting to know farmers and business owners can help better understand the resources available in the community,” says Agricultural Economic Development Director Dawn Jordan. “Visitors will have the opportunity to learn from experienced homesteaders and get a firsthand look at the operations of prosperous farms in the area.”

Chutzpah Hollow, a 10-acre farm owned by Wendy Rhein in Tryon, Haven Hill Homestead, a family farm in Green Creek, and Mayhem Farm, owned by Bill and Kina Baddorf on the edge of Polk County, will be featured on the tour. 

Tickets for the event are $20 and can be purchased online through eventbrite.com or by emailing info@ncfoothillsfarmtours.com. Tickets are also available at the Columbus Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8-12 or at the Saluda Farmers Market on Fridays from 4:30 to 6:30.