Another summer has come and gone. The children are back to school, and there is a touch of autumn in the air. Time passes much too quickly!

With that in mind, we will soon be celebrating the 16th anniversary of the Butler County Farm Tour.

Agriculture is a major part of Pennsylvania’s economy, and the producers of Butler County contribute more than $43 million dollars annually to the industry’s impact. This year’s tour, to be held Oct. 5, will provide an opportunity for visitors to get an inside look at three diverse operations in southeastern Butler County.

The farm tour provides insight into the business of agriculture and the commodities, enterprises and related businesses that contribute to the economy.

Our 2013 hosts will showcase dairy cattle, beef cattle, poultry, crop production and sweet corn production. In addition to learning more about these enterprises and their financial impact on the community, the tour provides a unique opportunity for visitors to learn more about the support industries and groups that contribute to the viability of agriculture.

Har-Lo Farms is one of the first farms to be part of the Butler County Farm Tour. The farm 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 our first visit in 1998, Pennsylvania Simply Sweet onions have been added to the diverse list of crops.

Dave Jones’ farm is a family-owned operation on 2,000 acres of Butler County land. While well known for its holiday turkeys, the farm also raises sweet corn and beef cattle. Turkeys and capons are offered year-round, not just for holidays.

At the Thiele farm, those active preschool twins that everyone met in 1998 are now 20 years old. Funny how that happens! Both of the boys are now active in the family business, farming about 250 acres of owned and leased land.

The family milks between 35-40 Holstein dairy cattle and raises corn, oats, soybeans and hay to feed to the herd. The Thiele farm was the first to enter into the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program in Butler County, preserving the land for agriculture for the future.

Open to the public, the tour is free and self-guided, with visitors stopping at one or more farms at their leisure. The hosts and volunteer staff are available to answer questions and direct visitors at each farm.

Supporting demonstrations and educational activities are planned for each of the stops. Handicapped restroom facilities will be available at all of our host farms. Refreshments will also be available for purchase along the way.

Brochures with maps, information about the host farms and additional tour information are available. Contact the Butler County Conservation District Office at 724-284-5270 or the Butler County Extension Office at 724-287-4761 for a copy of the brochure.

Information can also be found at www.visitbutlercounty.com. Follow the link for events and you will find the farm tour listed under agricultural festivals.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.