This year’s Montgomery County Farm Tour and Harvest Sale on July 22nd and 23rd, promises to be a terrific event with not only 21 farms on the tour but cideries, breweries, wineries, and orchards.
Tour participants have a choice of three self-guided tours this year:
The Grapes and Grains Tours (two to choose from) The Grape & Grain Tours are two separate self-driving tours into the wonderful Agricultural Reserve. You can choose to visit three farm wineries, four breweries, or easily combine both into a comprehensive tour of the Ag Reserve’s craft beverage industry. Each venue has its own distinct qualities, and all offer relaxing outdoor family friendly atmospheres. Food and/or music may also be available onsite.
Please check the website for each farm you are planning to visit for all the details and to make reservations, where necessary!
Farms-2-Feast Tours (two to choose from). Have you ever challenged yourself to create a meal made entirely from ingredients grown in Montgomery County? The abundance and diversity of our farms makes this a realistic goal and a perfect introduction to farm markets in the Ag Reserve community. Fresh, healthy and delicious foods abound! Choose your driving tour of farms within Montgomery County which are split between locations to the east or the west of I-270. Both tours will give you a chance to purchase meats, eggs, fruits, vegetables, herbs, milk, and desserts, so you can assemble a complete dinner menu, plus you will have opportunities to purchase handmade gifts for guests as well! Each farm has been highlighted as a source for one component of your meal – and know that each farm offers an abundance of products. To complete your dinner menu, choose from an array of specialty craft beverages from farm breweries, wineries and cideries featured in the Grape & Grain Tours. Set up your picnic tables, decide on your guest list, and choose a recipe to make using only Montgomery County Farm fresh products! Please share a recipe or photo of your farm fresh dinner with Montgomery County Office of Agricultural Services by tagging their social media #Farms2Feast. Please visit the website for each farm you are planning to visit for all details and to make reservations, where necessary! Click for more information.
Revive the Sunday Drive. A relaxing, scenic, self-driving tour highlighting the beautiful countryside of the Ag Reserve. The tour includes suggestions for picnic spots, walks/hikes, and photo ops along the way. The entire route without stops is approximately 2 hours. You can drive the entire route, drive part of the route, or make a day of it and explore the stopping areas noted. Remember to bring your packed lunch!
Please visit the website for each farm you are planning to visit for all details and to make reservations, where necessary! Revive the Sunday Drive Tour Directions: Final_Revive_Sunday_Drive.pdf (montgomerycountymd.gov)
If you are interested in living history, don’t miss this opportunity to visit the Button Farm Living History Center in Seneca Creek State Park. The hours for visitors are Noon to 3 pm on Saturday July 22nd. The Button Farm Living History Center is Maryland’s only living history center depicting a 19th century plantation and stories of the Underground Railroad. The farm is home to the Menare Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Underground Railroad history, historic sites and environments, and to the creation of educational programs.
Additional participating farms include Butler’s Orchard, Homestead Farm, Kingsbury’s Orchard, Lewis’ Orchard, R.B. Savage & Sons Farm, and Rock Hill Orchard just to name a few. Breweries on the tour include Poolesville’s own Landmade Farm Brewery, Lone Oak Brewery and Waredaca Brewing Company. There are wineries and cideries also participating in the tour this year.
For a complete list of participating venues, times, and locations, go to the Annual Farm Tour Page. You will also need to check the websites of the participating venues you wish to visit as each one has its own hours and days of participation. Make time to check out the brand-new Market at Deere Valley in Dickerson for the best in farm fresh meats.
Take this opportunity to get to know and fully enjoy the Agricultural Reserve and the bounty these farms provide for our communities. Montgomery County residents are fortunate to have such a unique reserve in our midst.