12th annual county tour shows horses, meat processing, wines
JEFFERSON TWP — The 12th annual Butler County Farm Tour returns Saturday and will showcase horses, meat processing and wines.
The free, self-guided event welcomes guests to visit any or all of the four featured locations. The tour is held rain or shine, and guests must drive themselves.
This year's host locations are:
• CMM Equestrian Center — Earl and Joan Murray's state-of-the-art horse boarding facility has its own viewing lounge and features an outdoor arena, trails and 10 pastures. The Murrays provide lessons and training, do horse shows and participate in 4-H.
• The Dave Jones Farm — This family-owned operation sprawls across 2,000 acres, raising beef cattle, turkeys and sweet corn, which is available at roadside stands in the summer.
• Thoma Meat Market — Brian and Tim Thoma are third-generation owners of this shop and meat market, which began in 1945 serving beef, pork and chicken products. The business has expanded to include additional foods and services, using ingredients from local cattle and hogs. Tours will be at noon and 2 p.m., but visitors are welcome throughout the day.
• Winfield Winery — John and Linda Ricchuito began producing their award-winning wines in the summer of 2006. The winery makes more than 25 wines, produced in small batches and aged in tanks below ground level. Visitors can try samples from the tasting bar and enjoy chilled wines on the patio.
The Dave Jones Farm and Thoma Meat Market will represent unique stops along the tour, while the addition of Winfield Winery reflects the popularity of one of last year's stops, Rustic Acres Winery.
"Winemaking is something that is very much a part of agriculture. People enjoyed it last year, as well," said Donna Zang, director of the Penn State Extension office in the county.
CMM Equestrian Farm will be the first horse facility the tour has featured.
"Last year our equestrian complex had to pull out because of the health of some of the animals. We wanted one this year because they represent a part of our agriculture industry that people don't often think about," Zang said.
More than 3,200 people made one or more of the stops on the 2008 tour, she said, and the number should grow this year, despite a cold and wet forecast for Saturday.
"Our experience in the past has been that, even on days without desirable weather, we get a good turnout," Zang said.
The Penn State Extension office mailed brochures to more than 2,000 households promoting the tour.
Brochures, maps and information can be found online at www.visitbutlercounty.com, or through the Butler County Conservation District Office at 724-284-5270 or the Butler County Extension Office at 724-287-4761.
<B>WHAT: </B>The 12th annual Butler County Farm Tour, a self-guided tour in which guests drive themselves between locations.<B>WHEN: 1</B>0 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday<B>WHERE: </B>Four locations throughout Jefferson Township: CMM Equestrian Center, 135 Durango Lane; the Dave Jones Farm, 240 Jones Road; Thoma Meat Market, 748 Dinnerbell Road; and Winfield Winery, 1026 Winfield Road.<B>COST: </B>Free, though certain events or amenities at each location may have a fee.
