PRODUCTS FROM THE FAMILY FARM---A VALUE ADDED ATTRACTION
COLUMBIA---A list of farm operations and roadside markets that have agritourism or agritainment activities is now available through the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.
Farmers are constantly looking for new ways to add value to their raw 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 throughout the state and nation is underway to bring awareness to agriculture and, at the same time, provide an additional source of income for farm families. Agritourism” or “agritainment” is the idea of bringing visitors and tourists into rural and agricultural areas with farmers and their families benefiting from those dollars.
Several farmers in the state have added value to their operations by establishing corn mazes. The idea is to provide enjoyable and educational sources of good farming fun to communities around the state, and, at the same time, provide an additional source of income for farm families.
Also, many fruit and vegetable growers who own roadside markets have also established activities and events surrounding the fall and spring seasons to encourage tourists to visit their operations and buy their products. Visitors---local and out-of-state---enjoy selecting fresh pecans, pumpkins, Indian corn, gourds, and cornstalks at the farm or roadside market. Others enjoy hayrides, farm tours, pumpkin carving, and other activities---activities that delight the young and the young at heart.
People from cities all over the country visit rural areas in order to enjoy the peace and beauty that exists there. If developed and managed properly, agritourism or agritainment could be a boost for South Carolina agriculture.
For more information about the seasonal activities of South Carolina’s
Farm Operations and Roadside Markets, call Brad Boozer, Marketing and Promotion,
SC Department of Agriculture, 803-734-2200.
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Please print or broadcast the following list in your publication or on your station. Thanks.
SC FARM OPERATIONS/ROADSIDE MARKETS FALL AND SPRING ACTIVITIES
ANDERSON
Hardy Berry Farm
Open Apr 15 - Sept 15
8 AM - 8 PM
Contact: Kevin & Stacey Hardy, 864-224-5441
Location: 232 Strawberry Rd., off of Dobbins Bridge Rd., 4 miles west
of Anderson, SC
Spring: U-Pick strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries
BEAUFORT
Lowcountry Produce
Open Year Round
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Contact: Dwight & Martha Garrett, 843-846-9438
Location: 1919 Trask Pky. (just outside of Beaufort, SC) in Lobeco,
SC
Fall: Pumpkin Patch with haystack, face painting, puppet show, prizes,
refreshments, games, and picnic area. Barnyard animals. Christmas trees
and Country Store. Jams, jellies, honey, and gifts, etc.
CHARLESTON
Ambrose Family Farm
(Ambrose Family Farm is a division of Palmetto Point Farm and Stono
Farm Market.)
Open Oct 1 - Oct 31
(8:30 AM - 3 PM, M-F) School/Scout Groups, Public: (Fri - 3 PM
- Dark 9 PM or so), (Sat - 9 AM – Dark), (Sun - 10 AM - 6 PM)
Contact: Babs & Pete Ambrose, Petie & Kim Ambrose, and Barbara
Ambrose and Ken Crowley, 843-559-9022
Location: Selkirk Plantation, Liberia Rd., Wadmalaw Island, SC
Fall: Corn Maze - CSS H C Hunley & SC State Symbols - 11 acres
(Oct 1 - Oct 31) School & Scout Groups must Book in Advance and Pumpkin
Patch
Plantation U-Pick
Aug 5 – Aug 31
9 AM - 6 PM
Contact: Willie McCrae, 843-884-437
Location: Hwy. 17 N., Mt. Pleasant, SC
Fall: Pumpkin Patch (Aug 5 – Aug 31) Christmas Trees (Nov 27 – Dec
24)
Spring: Strawberries - U-pick or We-pick (Apr 1 – June 10)
CHESTER
Cotton Hills Farm
Open Sept 1 - Nov 10
Tours for groups over 20 by appointment
Contact: Jeff & Carol Wilson, 803-581-2221
Location: Intersection of U.S. 321 and 909 North of Lowrys in Chester
County
Fall: Farm Tours for groups over 20. Includes maze, farm animals, wagon
rides, pick cotton, pumpkins for sale. Log cabin rental sleeps 6 year round.
Stone grinding of corn for grits and meal.
GREENVILLE
Perdue's Mountain Fruit Farm
Open Sept 15 - Oct 20
10 AM - 6 PM, Tues – Sat
Contact: Richard Perdue, 864-895-5002
Location: Scenic Hwy. 11 at N. Tigerville Rd., Northern Greenville
County
Fall: Hay Ride Farm Tours - Fun filled and educational, especially
for elementary school classes and senior citizens, and family groups (Picnic
area). Walking Tour Route of Farm - No Charge.
HORRY
Indigo Farms
Open Year Round
Generally 8 AM - 5 PM, Varies Upon Season
Contact: O.K. Bellamy, 843-399-6902
Location: Hwy. 57, 4 miles east of Hwy. 9, Little River, SC
Fall: Farm Heritage Day (Oct 6) Some activities may have a nominal
fee, but the event itself is free. Pumpkin Day (Oct 20) pumpkin painting,
pumpkin patch, horse rides. Night time hayrides (reservations required).
Fall School Tour.
Spring: Spring School Tour. Horse rides (dates, times, and fees to
be announced). Barnyard Buddy Day (dates, times, and fees to be announced.)
LEXINGTON
Harmony Hills Farm
Open Jun – Aug and reopen on Nov 30th and on
each Fri in Dec
Contact: Tom & Nancy Harmon, 803-892-5504
Location: 1361 Old Cherokee Rd., Lexington, SC
Fall: Pecans, collards, onions, sweet potatoes, firewood, etc.
Spring: June 1 - Mid Aug (Roadside Market)
OCONEE
Barnett Farm
Open Fall & Spring (Seasonal)
Contact: J. Henry & Lucy Barnett, 864-638-6103
Location: 530 Oak Grove Rd., located between Westminster & Walhalla,
2 miles west on Oak Grove Rd. off Hwy. 183
Fall: Farm Tours, Tractor Drawn Hayrides, Ornamental Farm Produce (Pumpkins,
Indian Corn, Gourds, Cornstalks, Wheat Straw), Boer Cross Goats, Fall Vegetables
(Collards, Greens, Swiss Chard, Brussel Sprouts, Broccoli)
Spring: Farm Tours (For more information, email Barnett@innova.net)
ORANGEBURG
Hinnant Farm
Open Apr-Aug-Oct
8 AM-6 PM
Contact: John L. Hinnant, Jr., 803-492-3788
Location: 3 miles west of Eutawville on Hwy. 6
Fall: Pumpkins and pecans
Spring: Strawberries (Apr-Jun) Blackberries, Blueberries, Peaches (Jun-Aug)
U-Pick and We-Pick Sweet Corn & Other Vegetables
St. Julien Plantation
Open Apr - Early Aug
8 AM - 6 PM, M – Sat
Contact: Robert R. Norris, 803-492-7556
Location: Hwy. 6, one mile East of Eutawville, SC
Spring: U-Pick/We-Pick Strawberries
PICKENS
The Happy Berry
May 30 - Sept 30
8 AM – Dusk
Contact: Walker & Ann Miller, 864-350-9345 (Farm Cell) and 864-868-2946
(Voice Mail) or
Web Site: www.TheHappyBerry.com
Location: 0.9 miles from Rt. 183 between Pickens and the Resource-Toxaway
Duke Power Project
Spring: Pick-Your-Own Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, and Figs.
Prepicked also available and custom picking for orders.
Winslett's Produce
Open Sept 24 - Oct 31
8 AM - 7 PM
Contact: James P. Winslett, 864-855-1176
Location: 505 Powdersville Rd., Easley, SC
Fall: Annual Pumpkin Sale
SPARTANBURG
Cash Farms
Open Mid Apr - Early Sep
7 AM - 7 PM, M - Sat.
Contact: Kline Cash, 864-463-6490
Location: Exit 83 off Interstate 85, North on Hwy. 110 - 3 miles
Spring: U-Pick or We-Pick Strawberries, U-Pick or We-Pick Peaches
Nivens' Apple Farm
Open Aug 15th thru Thanksgiving (or until apples are gone)
8 AM - 6 PM
Contact: Don and Katherine M. Nivens, 864-574-8889 or 864-576-4195
Location: 2.2 miles west of Moore, SC from Hwy. 290 or Exit 63, 6.2
miles east of I-85 down Hwy. 290 toward Moore, SC
Fall: U-Pick apples, hayrides, school tours, U-Pick pumpkins, farm
animals, corn maze, apple cider
SUMTER
STAFFORD'S STRAWBERRY FARM
Open April & May
8 AM - 7 PM, M-Sat and 2 PM - 6 PM, Sun
Contact: Robert E. Stafford, 803-469-3191
Location: 4105 DuBose Siding Rd., 7 miles on Hwy. 15 N. of Sumter
Spring: Strawberries U-Pick or We-Pick
YORK
Bush-N-Vine
Open Early Apr-Oct
Summer hours: (8 AM-6 PM, M-F and
8 AM - 5 PM, Sat)
Fall hours: (9 AM - 5 PM, M-Sat)
Contact: Robert M. (Bob) Hall
803-684-2732
Location: 1650 N. Hwy. 321 between York and Clover
Fall: Cut pumpkins, fall berries (Oct-Dec)
Spring: U-Pick Strawberries
Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill
Open Aug – Dec
9 AM - 6 PM, M - Sat., Closed Sun
Contact: Fritz & Catherine Gusmer, 803-684-0690
Location: 3 miles west of downtown York on Hwy. 5,
York, SC
Fall: Educational Farm Tours, M-F mornings/Apple Harvest Festival (Oct
20, 9 AM-6 PM
Spring: Not open in Spring.
NOTE: Farms or roadside markets that wish to be included in the SC Farm
Operations/Roadside Markets Fall and Spring Activities list, should call
Brad Boozer, Marketing and Promotion, SC Department of Agriculture, 803-734-2200.