Annual Farm Tour & Harvest Sale Returns on Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24, to Highlight the Best of Montgomery’s Agricultural Reserve

The Montgomery County Annual Farm Tour and Harvest Sale will return after a two-year hiatus on Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24, to highlight Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve. About one-third (93,000 acres) of all County land is protected for agricultural uses under the policy that created the Agricultural Reserve.

The 30th anniversary of the self-driving Farm Tour and Harvest Sale was celebrated in 2019, but the Montgomery Office of Agriculture’s informal tour was not held in the past two years due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The tour is back with 20 farms open to the public. The Farm Tour brochure can be viewed at brochure front (montgomerycountymd.gov). For more information, call 301-590-2823.

Several farms are open for “pick your own” opportunities. Some will be selling fruits, vegetables or meats. Refreshments will be available at other stops. Eight locations will have animals that can be viewed up close. Montgomery County’s emerging brewing and vineyard industries will be found at seven stops.

The number of farms available on this year’s tour is vast, but the Office of Agriculture has three suggested self-driving tours—each with an accent on different types of farm experiences.

Those tours are:

THE GRAPE & GRAIN TOURS

The Grape & Grain Tours are two separate self-driving tours. 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.

FARMS-2-FEAST TOURS

Have you ever challenged yourself to create a meal made entirely from ingredients grown in Montgomery County? The abundance and diversity of farms make this a realistic goal and a perfect introduction to farm markets in the community. Choose a driving tour of farms within the County that are split between locations to the east or west of I-270. Both tours will provide a chance to purchase meats, eggs, fruits, vegetables, herbs, milk and desserts.

REVIVE THE SUNDAY DRIVE

Whether during the designated Farm Tour weekend or on another day, the Agricultural Reserve provides an opportunity for a relaxing, scenic, self-driving tour. The entire route without stops is approximately two hours. You can drive the entire route, drive part of the route or make a day of it by exploring the stopping areas noted.

Farms participating in the 2022 Farm Tour:

1. Butler's Orchard
2. Button Farm Living History Center
3. Camp Olympia
4. Comus Farm
5. Do No Harm Suburban Farm
6. Doc Waters Cidery
7. Homestead Farm
8. King Barn Dairy MOOseum
9. Kingsbury's Orchard
10. Lewis Orchards
11. Landmade Farm Brewery
12. Loan Oak Farm Brewery
13. R.B. Savage & Sons Farm, LLC
14. Red Wiggler Community Farm
15. Rock Hill Orchard
16. Tusculum Farm
17. Two Story Chimney Ciderworks
18. Waredaca Farm Brewing Company
19. Windridge Vineyards
20. 61 Vineyard

Visit Montgomery has partnered with the County’s Office of Agriculture to create an interactive experience through the Visit MoCo Adventure Planner App. Download the app by visiting https://visitmontgomery.com/adventure-planner or search “VisitMoCo” in your preferred app store. Click on the passport section to create a personalized itinerary in just a few clicks. When you visit a participating farm, check-in on the app for a chance to win an exclusive Farm Tour and Heritage Sale giveaway.