Tour returns, adds many stops
BUTLER COUNTY — The Butler County Farm Tour is back, serving up more than 30 stops from farms to farm-to-fork restaurants.
The tour will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Jack Cohen, president of the county Tourism and Convention Bureau, said in past years the tour had about four farms.
“Well, we have gone a little nuts this year. There are 18 farms and probably 25 different places besides that to stop at,” Cohen said. “The idea behind this was to really make it special.”
The bureau, which usually just assisted with the tour, discovered the former organizers were not going bring the event back in 2015.
“I am like you can't let that fall apart,” he said. “It's really important to talk about the rich history of farming certainly in our community.”
Cohen said the bureau decided to take the tour over and expand it.
“We don't do to many things small. So we said we are going to beef this thing up and we did,” he said. “That really gives people the opportunity to spend two full days coming out to visit with us.”
Cohen said agriculture is the second-largest industry in the county behind tourism.
“We like to talk about (agriculture) because it is educational and people don't realize how much work it takes for a farmer, and we do,” he said. “We get that, and we really want to celebrate the hard work they do.”
Cohen said there are many farmers who are proud about what they do. “We are giving them the opportunity to share that with their guests coming onto the farm,” he said.
The bureau broke the tour into four quadrants, outlined on the map below.
One of the farms is Jones Turkey Farm near Cabot.
David Jones, farm co-owner, said this year people will have to stay 30 yards back from the poultry because of the avian flu virus scare. In the past, they were able to go right up to the fence.
Jones said he is looking forward to the people coming to the farm.
“As a farmer I enjoy helping feed America and watching people walk through and look at the farm is enjoyable to me,” he said.
Jones said the tour also promotes his business for Thanksgiving and Christmas chickens and turkeys. He raises more than 2,000 chickens and 4,500 turkeys per year.
People who come to the farm have a chance to sample a deep-fried turkey breast and fresh sweet corn.
“I want people to be able to taste first hand what they are seeing,” Jones said.
Another farm on the tour is the Cheeseman Farm near Portersville.
Jen Cheeseman said the farm is set up for a fall festival. It is an event farm that hosts weddings and other special occasions.
