Saturday will be the Butler County Farm Tour. Since the first tour, which started 11 years ago, more visitors are attracted to this unique and educational event.

With the exception of the Big Butler Fair and the Butler Farm Show, not many events offer an opportunity to view various aspects of agriculture. Since 98 percent of our population is at least one generation removed from the farm, events such as the annual farm tour provide an opportunity to look and learn about the No. 1 industry in Pennsylvania.

Farm tour host farms are open between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. so that visitors can view the farm similar to being behind the scene of a play or on the sidelines of a football game. For example, for a gallon of milk or cider, being on a grocery store shelf is the final destination, but few people actually realize what goes into getting the product to market. The farm tour provides that opportunity. Many youngsters are tour visitors with parents or grandparents who want their children to understand what it is like to be a farmer. Sometimes they explain this is how it was on a relative's or neighbor's farm, but it is no longer an operating farm and is now developed.

Plan to visit one or all of this year's host farms. They have worked hard to make it an enjoyable and educational day. The host farms this year are:

n Rustic Acres Winery — Owned by Gary and Eirlys Matson, the winery began as a hobby Gary had pursued for more than 20 years. Over the years, Gary refined his skills and created a variety of new and interesting wines. In 2005, the hobby became a full-time job, and the doors to Rustic Acres Winery opened.

The winery offers an extensive range of wines that appeal to a wide range of personal tastes.

The quality of the wines is apparent in the awards that they have earned. At the 2007 Keystone Wine Competition, Rustic Acres Concord wine captured gold and double gold honors.

The award winning tradition continues in 2008 with six first place awards in competition at the Big Butler Fair along with a Best of Show award for its Gewürztraminer wine.

In addition to learning about the wine making and bottling process, adult visitors will have an opportunity to taste the wine produced at Rustic Acres. The Matson's will also offer samples of the food products that they offer for sale to compliment their wines. You can learn more about Rustic Winery at www.RusticAcresWinery.com.

n Henderson Equestrian Complex — because of uncontrollable circumstances the Equestrian Center will not be on the tour this year.

n Har-Lo Farms — One of the first farms visited as part of the tour, Har-Lo Farms, continues to be a busy, family owned and operated farm.

Harold Foertsch and his family farm 1,250 acres of owned and leased land. Crops include corn, potatoes, soybeans, wheat, oats, straw and hay. Since 1998, Pennsylvania Simply Sweet Onions have been added to the diverse list of crops.

Harold and his son, Jim, operate the farm with the help of Harold Jr., Jim's wife, Denise, and Harold's brothers, Vernon and Errol Foertsch. Sons, Robert and William, along with daughter Diana Lehnerd, pitch in when needed. Harold's six grandchildren get involved raising cattle, hogs, sheep and horses for FFA and 4-H projects.

The visit to Har-Lo Farms, will produce an opportunity to learn about crops the Foertsch family produces and the machinery used in the farm operation.

The youngsters will enjoy participating in a pedal tractor pull and other fun activities planned just for them.

n Thiele Dairy Farm — As any parent knows, children have a habit of growing up. When the Thieles' farm was first toured in 1998, the twins were active preschoolers. Now, William and James are 15 years old, and they are busy helping with all of the chores a farm has to offer.

Currently, the Thieles are farming 150 acres of their own in addition to about 100 lease acres. The family milks between 35 and 40 Holstein dairy cattle and raise corn, oats, soybeans and hay to feed the heard.

In the family since 1868, Edward Thiele took over the dairy farm from his father and uncle in 1984. Demonstrating their commitment to farming, the family was the first to enter into the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program in Butler County.

If you wonder why the cost of a gallon of milk has risen substantially, stop by the Thiele Dairy Farm to learn what goes into producing a gallon of milk.

In addition to learning more about milk production, visitors will have an opportunity to participate in hands-on learning activities in the Mobile Ag Science Lab.

For more information or for a brochure with a map marking the farm tour locations, contact the Butler County Cooperative Extension Office at 724-287-4761.

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.