farm tour culpeper

Insider’s Guide to the 26th Annual Culpeper Harvest Days Farm Tour

August 24, 2023 Things to Do Share

Fun for all ages, this tour will showcase both traditional and unique farms in the beautiful Blue Ridge foothills that make up Culpeper County. The event provides a wonderful educational experience and includes an array of hands-on activities and demonstrations. The 15 carefully selected farms and ag-related businesses on the tour reflect Culpeper’s agricultural heritage and the millions of dollars in production, wages and salaries generated by the agricultural industry in our county and state.

What is there to do at the Culpeper Farm Tour?

The tour, which is a self-guided driving experience, can be started at any of the participating farms. In addition to online and through the Farm Tour app, brochures will be available at all participating farms. Stop by the Welcome Center for free face-painting Saturday and Sunday. There will be yard games, activities, and goodies for the kids to check out. Pick up a passport at the start of your tour, which can be stamped at each farm and enter our Farm Tour giveaway.

Insider Tips:

• Download the Culpeper Harvest Days Farm Tour App to access the detailed listing of all events scheduled.
• Follow the Culpeper Farm Tour Facebook Page to get updates leading up to the farm tour weekend.
• Find the LOVE at Bees & Trees Farm for a great photo opportunity. Use #LOVEVA and tag @VirginiaIsForLovers #VisitCulpeperVA
• Check in at the Welcome Center located at the Culpeper Ag. Enterprises LLC. (10220 James Monroe Hwy, Culpeper, VA 22701) to get more info, and buy your limited edition 2023 Farm Tour t-shirts and hats, while supplies last. You will also find FREE face painting by Sandy’s Face Painting , local vendors and more! 
• The Farm Tour will take place rain or shine. Please be advised, some activities and individual farms may be closed as a result of inclement weather.

Places to Stay

Choose from unique farm stays to traditional hotels for your farm tour weekend away.

Places to Eat & Drink

  If you are looking for a few additional spots to consider for breakfast, lunch or dinner head to the historic downtown district to explore the independently owned eateries and breweries.

Links to more planning resources:

CULPEPER 26 TH HARVEST DAYS FARM TOUR WEBSITE

VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS

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Culpeper Farm Tour (What to Expect)

Created On: April 4, 2024   |   Updated: April 25, 2024   |   Leave a comment

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Last fall, I had the pleasure of experiencing the Culpeper Farm Tour in the Virginia countryside, which was more fun than I expected! Held annually in October, this event invites visitors to explore a variety of area farms, including horse ranches, flower fields, bison farms, petting zoos, and craft beverage makers.

I spent the entire weekend farm-hopping and had the best time at the following farms, so be sure to add them to your Culpeper Farm Tour itinerary next time!

Although the lineup of farms may change each year, many host public events year-round (which I’ve tried to note below.)

While in the area, check out Small Town Explorations: Things to Do in Culpeper, VA (Downtown and Beyond) and Escape to Fauquier County Virginia: Things to Do in Warrenton VA and Beyond

My Culpeper Farm Tour Itinerary (Saturday & Sunday)

These are the farms I chose to visit during the Harvest Days Farm Tour. You may also enjoy others, but I wanted to share my experiences.

• Welcome Center

Andora Farm

Bees & trees farm, gobbler hill farm, old trade brewery & cidery.

• Virginia Bison Company

Start at the Welcome Center

Visit the Welcome Center at Culpeper Agricultural Enterprises for the official Culpeper Farm Tour brochure . Inside, you’ll find a map of participating locations and a summary of the activities at each farm . You can also purchase Farm Tour merch while supplies last.

Additional booths were set up by other Culpeper Farms not included in the open house tour, alongside a few vendors. Although I didn’t stop to explore them, there was an antique tractors exhibit and a separate Piedmont Railroaders train exhibit.

17275 Germanna Highway, Culpeper Facebook Year-round fun : Cattle drive weekends, team penning, Daniel Boone Days.

My first stop of the day was Andora Farm, where the farm tour coincided with their Daniel Boone Days event, so there were cattle drive demonstrations, hayrides, a Civil War camp with reenactments, vendor booths, pony rides, and the chance to visit with Baby the calf and a few horses up close.

I hopped on a hayride tour around the farm, and our guide shared fascinating tidbits about the area and the farm’s intriguing past.

We learned that Union officers took over the farmhouse during the Civil War, while 30,000 troops camped nearby. We also learned that Daniel Boone once farmed neighboring lands, harvesting tobacco and hauling it to ports for shipment to England.

Nowadays, farm owners Tom and Patsy Seay, from Best of America by Horseback , raise livestock and grow crops, including soybeans, corn, and fruit trees. They also host cattle drive weekends and team penning events.

After the hayride, I visited the Civil War encampment and watched a battle reenactment.

Also, I was lucky to see two cattle drive demos. I watched them go to the creek and pasture, only to return later. It was definitely a fun experience!

18028 Carrico Mills Road, Elkwood, VA. 22718 Website Year-round fun : Farm store, barn animals, apiary, Airbnb garden view suite.

This was one of my favorite tour stops—the most visited farm on the 2023 tour. There’s such a happy, energetic vibe here and the farm store (open year-round) is fantastic!

One of the highlights of my visit was observing a honey extraction demonstration and indulging in freshly collected honey. It was truly a sweet experience!

We watched the demonstrators skillfully use a hot knife to uncap honey frames. After uncapping several frames, they placed them in a honey extractor and gathered the golden liquid in a bucket for tasting. So much fun and so yummy!

There were plenty of activities to enjoy, including visits with the barnyard animals, a blacksmith demo, delicious food trucks, and local vendors offering samples and sales of goodies like honey and hard cider. They even had a Virginia LOVEWorks sign for photos!

17354 Carrico Mills Road, Elkwood, VA 22718 Website Year-round fun : Flower arrangement workshops, wreath making, u-pick flowers (May – October Frost)

I found this fabulous cut flower farm just down the street from Bees & Trees. If you love fresh-cut annual and perennial flowers, this is a fabulous place to find them. They also had mums, pumpkins, eggs, honey, and fresh honeycomb samples on-site!

Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend the flower-arranging demos due to timing, but I took a stroll through the greenhouse and flower fields, which was delightful.

One of the vendors had jarred and cut comb honey for sale and sampling. They also displayed peek-inside beehives and provided insightful information about beekeeping and honey. You’re missing out if you haven’t tried cut comb honey yet!

13270 Alanthus Rd., Brandy Station, VA 22714 Website Year-round fun : Grab a drink, live music, playground, dog park, shuffleboard, darts, bounce house, and axe throwing stations.

Upon my arrival at Old Trade, I was handed a QR farm tour guide. Each QR code was linked to a short video showcasing different parts of the property. The incentive was enticing: complete the tour, and you’d earn a free tasting. Guess who finished the tour? (I’ll share my pick in a few.)

I absolutely adored this family-friendly and pet-friendly brewery/cidery. With two tasting rooms and ample outdoor seating, there were plenty of spots to unwind and enjoy the tranquil countryside setting.

Lively music filled the air, while activities like cornhole and axe throwing added to the excitement. Families enjoyed the pirate ship and playground, and furry friends had a designated play area!

Oh, and I chose the ‘Fire Ant’ lager for my taste because I love a spicy kick. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I absolutely loved it! And, I was so enamored by the peaceful atmosphere that I spent the rest of my afternoon there!

Ironwood Farm

10291 Homeland Road, Rixeyville, VA 22737 Website Year-round fun : Visits by appointment only, riding lessons.

I couldn’t wait to visit Ironwood Farm, Virginia’s biggest Norwegian Fjord Horse farm. These horses have an incredible history dating back 4,000 years, making them one of the oldest breeds.

Known for their gentle, mild-mannered nature, these strong and beautiful horses do exceptionally well in dressage and driving events. Most are brown dun and have short, stiff manes with a dark line down the center.

I planned my visit just right so I wouldn’t miss the riding, driving, and draft demonstrations happening twice daily during the farm tour.

Watching the Norwegian Fjord Horses in action was pretty cool.

I admit, I fell for those adorable creatures during my visit.

VA Bison Company at Cibola Farm

10075 Stone Bridge Rd., Culpeper, VA 22701 Website Year-round fun : Self-guided walking tours, retail market.

My final destination on the agenda was Virginia Bison Co. at Cibola Farms, where I checked out their impressive bison herds. The farm was buzzing with continuous tours and discussions happening all day long. Excitedly, I hopped on the haywagon for a ride to the grazing pasture where the main bison herd was hanging out.

In a casual chat with visitors, the owner shared fascinating insights about his bison herd. He said a robust mineral program is essential to maintaining their health. He also highlighted the challenges of farming bison, particularly in managing their susceptibility to parasites.

Unlike their wild ancestors, who roamed vast territories, modern bison are confined to smaller spaces, increasing the risk of parasite infestation. To combat this, the farm uses a strategic deworming approach.

He also pointed out the nutritional perks of bison meat. Ever heard that bison meat is leaner than beef? I think it’s a tad sweeter, which isn’t quite my jam, but hey, you might want to give it a shot!

After seeing the bison, I wandered the farm to see the pigs, chickens, and some cute little farm dogs. Then I visited the store, where they sell bison meat and other products.

Helpful Farm Tour Tips

• Doublecheck hours : Note the opening and closing times of each farm. Most locations will be open Saturday and Sunday, but not all.
• Check the special events schedule : Many farms have special activities or demos at specific times. You’ll want to schedule your farm visits with those events in mind so you don’t miss any highlights.
• Map it out : Review the farm tour map to plan your route as the locations are scattered throughout the county.
• Wear appropriate attire : Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather and farm conditions. Wear closed-toe shoes or boots suitable for walking on uneven terrain.
• Bring essentials : Carry sunscreen, hats, water bottles, and snacks, especially if the tour spans several hours or involves multiple farms.
• Mind farm etiquette : Respect the farm animals, crops, and property. Avoid littering and be mindful of your surroundings.
• Ask questions : Don’t hesitate to ask questions! Farm owners and staff are often happy to share information about their operations, products, and practices.

If you get the chance to attend, I highly recommend it—it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in Virginia’s agricultural richness that you won’t want to miss! Visit culpeperfarmtour.com for more information.

Where to Stay

I had the pleasure of staying at the Garden View Suite at Bees & Trees Farm, and let me tell you, it was fantastic! The hosts, who are superhosts by the way, were incredibly friendly and welcoming. What I really appreciated was their approach – they gave me all the privacy I needed but were there in a heartbeat if I required anything. The studio suite was a dream, flooded with natural light and offering a breathtaking view. I absolutely adored my time there!

LET’S STAY CONNECTED !

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Welcome, I'm Liz!

I’m a North Carolina mom of two humans and six cats. I’m addicted to traveling across the USA one adventurous experience at a time.

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