The 20th annual Kaw Valley Farm Tour this weekend will welcome the public to explore a variety of local farms and learn how they operate.
This year, nearly 40 farms will open up their doors for the two-day event. Visitors can meet the farmers behind Kansas-made products, including vegetables, meat, wildflowers, wine and more, and see the land where they’re based. Farm animals will certainly make appearances.
Hours open to visit any of the farms include 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6. The event is rain or shine.
Tickets, which cover both days, cost $10 per carload of people and can be purchased online. Guidebooks to take along on tours will be available at each farm.
Printed tickets can also be purchased in person at Cottins Hardware & Rental, 1832 Massachusetts St.; The Merc Co+Op, 901 Iowa St.; and K-State Extension Office, 2110 Harper St. in Lawrence.
Additionally, to kick off the weekend, a sunset reception will be hosted from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at Juniper Hill Farm, 1547 North 2000 Road.
Tickets for the reception Friday cost $54 per person, and can be purchased online. Each ticket includes appetizers and two drinks, and a portion of each ticket will benefit Kaw Valley Farm Tour. Chefs TK Peterson, of Merchants Pub & Plate, and Raven Naramore, of Juniper Hill Farm & Table, will create the spread of local foods.
Farms should not be visited outside of the event hours without the owners’ permission, the website notes. Pets are not allowed on the tours.
The website also says it’s important to screenshot or otherwise save the digital receipt for tickets purchased online. Farms often lack reliable WiFi or cellular service, and digital receipts will need to be shown for entry.
For more information about the Kaw Valley Farm Tour, visit its website, via douglas.k-state.edu. Stay updated on the event’s Facebook page.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.