ag-formation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2002

Fall Agritainment at Local Roadside Markets

COLUMBIA---The South Carolina Department of Agriculture announces the fall agritainment events of the Department’s Certified Roadside Markets.

South Carolina farmers are constantly looking for new ways to market their products and make their farms more profitable. At the same time, they feel a passionate need to communicate to city dwellers that they should take an interest in the origin of their food and in those who spend their lifetime producing it.

A movement is underway in South Carolina to bring awareness to agriculture and, at the same time, provide an additional source of income for those who make their living from agriculture.

Along with fresh, quality produce, roadside markets provide other reasons for customers to visit their operations. These markets are including "agritainment" activities in their operations to entice customers. Agritainment is the idea of providing enjoyable and educational opportunities at agricultural operations to attract visitors to buy South Carolina agricultural products.

Consumers want to get that "feeling" of being out in the country and back to nature. They can get that feeling at a farm or local roadside market. Roadside markets increase awareness of agriculture and provide additional profit for farm families, especially in these times of extremely low farm prices.

For locations and more information about the South Carolina Certified Roadside Market Program, call Brad Boozer, South Carolina Department of Agriculture Marketing Specialist, 803-734-2200.

SOUTH CAROLINA CERTIFIED ROADSIDE MARKETS

Fall Activities

ANDERSON COUNTY

Callaham Orchards – Ray Callaham
Dates of opertaiton: September 1 – October 31
Hours: 8AM – 6PM
Phone # 864-338-0810
Location: 559 Crawford Rd., Belton SC
Activities: Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, School Tours, Homemade Ice Cream, Barn Yard, Birthday Parties.

BEAUFORT COUNTY

Barefoot Farms – Betty Strickland
Dates of operation: February 1 – January
Hours: 9AM until
Phone # 843-838-7421
Location: St. Helena Island, 939 Sea Island Parkway
Activities: Hay Rides, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Ride during Hertiage Festival Nov. 7-10

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY

McLeod Farms Inc. – Kemp & Beth McLeod
Dates of operation: Year Round
Hours: 9AM – 6PM
Phone # 843-335-8611
Location: Hwy. 151, 3 miles east of McBee
Activities: Pumpkin Patch, School Tours, Produce and Baked Goods.

GREENVILLE COUNTY

Beechwood Farm – Billy & Elizabeth Ledford
Dates of operation: October 4-31
Hours: 9AM – 1PM
Phone # 864-836-6075
Location: take 276 toward Marietta, turn right on 414, go 1 mile and take left on Bates Bridge Rd and go 3/4 mile to farm.Activities: Buggy Rides, Pumpkin Patch, Farm Activities, Picnic Area

Fisher’s Orchard – Tommy Fisher
Dates of operation: October 1-31
Hours: Mon-Fri School Reservations, Sat. 9AM – 5PM, Sun. 1PM - 5PM
Phone # 864-895-2892
Location: Hwy. 14, North of Greer, 5.2 miles to Mt. Lebanon Church Rd., turn right and follow signs
Activities: Hay Rides, Farm Tours, Hay Maze, Animals, Pumpkins, Educational Center, Fall Decorations

Perdue’s Mountain Fruit Farm – Dick & Betty Perdue
Dates of operation: June 10 – November 10
Hours: 10AM – 6PM Daily, 12PM – 6PM Sunday, Closed Mondays
Phone # 864-895-5002
Location: Scenic Hwy. 11 at Tigerville Rd.
Activities: Hay Rides, Farm Tours, (Kids receive apple bag)

Woodmont High School FFA – Brian Ashley
Dates of operation: October 17
Hours: 9AM – 2PM
Phone # 864-299-8488
Location: Hwy. 25, South Greenville County
Activities: Farm Day – Animal Displays, Farm Equipment, Petting Zoo,

MARLBORO COUNTY

Johnson’s Produce – Thomas Johnson
Dates of operation: October 8
Hours: 8AM – 8PM
Phone # 843-479-3065
Location: 459 Marshall St., 1 miles east of Bennettsville
Activities: Youth Agricultural Demonstration Tour

OCONEE COUNTY

Barnett Farm – Henry and Lucy Barnett
Dates of Operation: Oct. – Nov.
Hours: Tours by Appointment
Phone # 864-638-6103
Location: 529 Oak Grove Rd., Westminister
Activities: Farm Tours, Hay Rides, Petting Barn, Gourd and Pumpkin Display

YORK COUNTY

The Peach Tree – Ben Smith. Jr.
Dates of operation: Until end of October, Closed November, Open December
Hours: Mon. – Sat., 8AM – 6PM, Sun. 1PM–6PM
Phone # 803-684-9996
Location: 2077, Filbert Hwy., York
Activities: Hay Rides, Story Time, Bowling with Pumpkins, Pumpkin Head Ball Toss, Straw Maze

Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill – Fritz & Catherine Gusmer
Dates of operation: Late August – Christmas
Hours: Mon. – Sat., 9AM – 6PM
Phone # 803-684-0690
Location: Black Hwy., 3 miles west of York on Hwy. 5
Activities: Hay Rides, Pumpkin Patch, Sunflower – Apple Tree Maze, Scare Crow Making, Cider Pressing, Apple Butter Making, Johnny Appleseed Educational Farm Tour
Annual Apple Harvest Festival - Oct. 19

 

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