Image courtesy of sxc.hu

This self-guided (drive-yourself-to-the-farms) activity is a great chance for those of you who are curious (or are already a fan) of fresh, local and seasonal foods and see where it all comes from. Organized by Slow Food Katy Trail, the farm tour  is this Sunday, June 24 from 1 to 5 p.m. Tour is opened to everyone as long as

1. they dress appropriately with hat, sunscreen, comfy shoes and clothing,
2. they don’t smoke,
3. they don’t bring their dogs
4. and don’t go into the greenhouses pr walk on the farms without a guide!

According to their website, “Each farm will have different and interesting things to show and tell visitors. Among the sensory offerings will be music, frolicking baby goats, chickens that lay blue eggs, delicious treats, farm products for sale and gorgeous scenery.”

Here’s the dirt on the farms:-

Deep Mud Farm is owned by Jeremy Saurage. It is on four acres that are part of what was once his great grandfather’s farm in Callaway County. How sweet! This organic truck farm is certified organic by MOSA.

Directions: From the Hatton exit (MM144) on I-70, go north on Rt. M for about 6 miles to T-junction. Turn right on Rt. E, go about 3 miles to the water tower. Turn left onto CR 245, which is initially paved. Travel for 1.5 miles, go past the brick church, the road turns to gravel, continue north a bit farther to the first road to the west. Go left on CR 290, continue 3/4 mile to the farm on the right side of the road. It’s the only house on the road, or call (573) 826-5234.

Altai Meadows is dedicated to the production of quality grass-fed and grass-finished beef in a manner that respects the environment and animals. So if you’re the kind of person who’s interested in how your meat and produce come about, this would be the place to go.

Directions: From Columbia travel north on 63 about 20 miles or so to Rt. B and take a left. Take B about 9 miles to the T intersection at Rt. A. Take a right and follow what is now Rt. AB through Higbee. Just north of Higbee, Rt. B takes off to the left. Stay on Rt. A for about a mile past B and take a right on CR 2540. A sign on this corner says Higbee City Cemetery. Follow a short distance to a T intersection and take a left on CR 2530. Follow to first road on right—CR 2535. Turn right and follow to end of this dead-end road. We are the last (third) house on the road, or call (660) 651-9189

Terra Bella Farm will be an interesting visit because they’ll not only be welcoming the Crop Mob, a group of volunteers who work on farms, but they’ll also have cookies from their wheat project in addition to their self-guided walking tour.

Directions: Take I-70 to Exit 144 and go north on Rt. M 4 miles to 1303 Rt. M. Do not follow internet directions, but do call (925) 202-8020 if you get lost.

Covered-L Farm is a great place to just relax to the sounds of quail calling and grass growing. Visitors can buy the farm’s filet, ribeye and KC strip. For a price list, email them at cvrdlfarm@centurytel.net, place an order and they will have it ready for pick up at the farm tour. Summer sausage samples and bottled water available.

Directions: From Columbia, take I-70 east to Exit 133. Go north on Rt. Z toward Centralia for about 10 miles to Rt. D. Turn right on D, go 3⁄4 mile and turn right on McDonald Rd. (gravel). In about 3⁄4 mile turn left on Rouse Rd; it ends at our place. From Centralia, go south on Jefferson St/Rt Z to Rt D. From Hallsville take Rt. OO to Z, then left to D. (H) 573-682-5536; during tour, 573-982-9136

Happy Hollow Farm sells directly to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members, local restaurants and at the Farmers & Artisans Market downtown. The farm’s goal is to give back to the soil more than they can take. That’s a pretty noble cause. Visit them to see how they provide the highest quality produce in this fickle world of farming.

Directions: Get on Hwy 179, then go east onto Hwy P toward Lupus. Go 3 miles, turn right onto Lupus Rd. Go 2 miles, turn right onto Happy Hollow Rd. Go 1 mile, farm is on the right, or call (660) 849-2430.

Walk-About Acres, LLC are beekeepers. The small family farm encourages their visitors to visit their Buzzy Bee Classroom, Papa’s Store and their Missouri Mulefoot hogs, emus and Aracauna chickens. But wait, there’s more! They’ll have their Walk-About Acres Honey Ice Cream and maps for self-guided tours. Porta potties will available, just an FYI for those of you who were wondering.

Directions: From the I-70 and Hwy 63 interchange take Hwy 63 north to the second exit for Rt. B to Hallsville. Go about 2 miles north on Rt. B to Rt. HH (gas station on corner). Go right on Rt. HH for about 2 miles. Rt. HH will curve to the left and Kircher Rd. is on the right. Follow Kircher Rd. around two curves to 6800 North Kircher Rd. at the bottom of the hill on the left, or call (573) 474-8837.

Goatsbeard Farm is a family-owned and operated goat farm. Their goat’s milk is used to make a variety of fresh and aged artisanal farmstead goat cheeses sold throughout Missouri. Visitors can expect frolicking baby goats, a tour the dairy facility, a walk along ponds and pastures, listen to a bit of bluegrass music, and get an idea of how a small goat dairy operates on a daily basis. Cheeses will be available for tasting and purchase.

Directions: Take I-70 west to Fayette exit/Hwy 40. Go northwest on Hwy 40 about 4 miles, turn right on Hwy J. Follow J north about 8 miles and turn left on Callahan Creek Rd. The farm is about a mile farther, on the right just across the concrete bridge. 11351 Callahan Creek Rd. Or you can call (573) 875-0706.

Pierpont Farms are not certified organic, but follow all all organic practices. We recently ran a story at Vox with Angela Hemwall, one of the owners of the farm. Give it a read if you’re interested. The farm rare hens for eggs and have a beautiful Narragansett tom turkey, “Goebels,” that is always fully displaying his plumage. Their property also hosts bee hives, which belong to a CSA customer and Walk-About Acres.

Directions: Go south on Providence Rd. to Rock Bridge Elementary. Take a left at the light (163) and follow until you reach the 4-way stop at the Pierpont Store. Turn right onto Rt. N, and it’s a little over a mile on your left. If coming from US 63, go west on 163 and follow past Strawberry Hill to 4-way stop at Pierpont Store. Go straight through the 4-way, and it’s a little over a mile on your left. Big sign in front yard. Be prepared for friendly, barking dogs. Call (573) 499-9851.

The Salad Garden grows a wide array of Certified Organic herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables, including many open-pollinated and heirloom varieties.

Directions: From Columbia, take US-63 going south. Take the Ashland/Guthrie exit and turn left, going east on State Route Y. After 2.5 miles, look for Hawkins Rd, which in on the right after a curve in the road. Turn right on Hawkins and go a mile down the road to the big red barn on the right, or call (573) 657-8389

Be warned that not all farms will have public restrooms.