Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
On the second weekend of October each year, the Fl-Ga Farm Tour makes it possible to visit many farms, ranches, groves, orchards, gardens, vineyards and other operations that give our region its distinctive agricultural character. In addition to the chance to meet and talk with the farmers, some sites offer hay rides, tastings and hands-on opportunities. This is the tour's 19th year!
Of more than 30 sites on the self-guided tour, 12 are right here in Jefferson County, with two more nearby in Madison County. These include Blue Sky Farm, Deep Roots Meat, Florida-Georgia Citrus, Full Moon Apiary, Golden Acres Ranch, Good Ground Farm, Granny Kats, Ladybird Organics/Monticello Vineyards, Perfect Persimmons, Promised Land Homestead, Rocky Soil Family Farm and Timber Bamboo Nursery.
Two of these locations invite other vendors to join them on their site for a big bonus when you visit.
Florida-Georgia Citrus, located at 5314 Boston Hwy., in Monticello, will have the following local makers/producers join them for Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-4p.m.: Butler's Pride (cane syrup and stone ground grits), Martin Farms Beef, Old Fields Wood Shop, Forgotten Coast Soap Works, Luke's Freeze Dried Dog Treats, Salt & Sage and Co-Op Gro.
Promised Land Homestead, located at 703 S.E. Tuten Way, in Lee, will have the following local makers/producers join them for Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Light Farms (flour, flowers and jelly), Still Waters (herbal medicinals), Heart Bar Farms, Sweet River Farms and Jernigan's Happy Kombucha.
Toby Hester of Promised Land would love to see people across the region show their support for local farms by doing many stops on the Farm Tour, including the more outlying locations. This year especially, she says, many farms in the area are rebounding after the devastating hurricanes of recent years. Farm Tour visitors can make a big difference.
The 2026 tour overall is hosted once again by Millstone Institute for Preservation, and this year's patron sponsor is the Madison County Tourist Development Council. Additional support from the Jefferson County Tourist Development Council and twenty-four other sponsors make the tour possible and free.
In general, tour hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, but each place sets its own hours. Some have shorter hours on certain days or are participating only on Saturday, so be sure to download this year's guide. You can access it via a link on the Facebook page for Fl-Ga Farm Tour. It contains detailed descriptions of what each site offers, when they are open and what to expect when you visit. You choose where and who you want to visit. It's an opportunity like no other.
Guidelines for being respectful while getting the most from the Farm Tour include the following:
• Keep pets at home. If you use a service dog, call the sites you plan to visit ahead of time to inquire about bringing a service dog.
• Do not visit before or after a site's particular hours.
• Do not enter private homes or areas.
• Keep your eyes on your children.
• Anyone under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Never feed farm animals without permission.
• Follow any and all posted signs/rules.
• Have loads of fun and take lots of pictures.
The organizers also recommend that you wear closed toe shoes, bring sunscreen/bug spray, carry cash for places that don't process credit cards, and bring a cooler in case you purchase perishables.