Farm tour offers fresh produce, family activities

Fourteen sites, including two new locations, open this weekend

There are 14 places that will give the public a close-up glimpse of agriculture Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free.

The 14 sites run a gamut of agricultural activity from winemaking at Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard near Dickerson to the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary in Poolesville that rescues abused and abandoned farm animals. Four sites – Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, Evergreen Farm: Equine Therapy Associates in Poolesville, Camp Olympia in Rockville and Red Wiggler Community Farm in Germantown — are only open on Saturday. Some events may be delayed or canceled if it rains.

Butler’s Orchard in Germantown is one of several sites where people can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants and other farm products. Scheduled events listed at the sites include hayrides, pony rides, musical performances and craft demonstrations.

Evergreen Farm is a riding center that serves children and adults with mental and physical disabilities and also offers programs for those without disabilities. The Button Farm, set on 60 acres in Seneca Creek State Park, uses craft demonstrations and historical re-enactments to depict 19th century slave and plantation life.

Nichols said the tour offers city dwellers a chance to acquaint themselves with a few of the 577 farms and 350 horticultural businesses that contribute $251 million to the county’s economy every year. More than 93,000 of Montgomery County’s 316,000 acres are used for farming, according to figures from the division of agricultural services.

The tour, which drew 10,000 last year, is organized by the county’s agricultural services division of the Department of Economic Development. Nichols said the participating farms work hard to give their visitors a rewarding experience, an opinion shared by Ben Butler, who operates Butler’s Orchard with several family members.

‘‘It’s satisfying knowing there are people coming out here and enjoying what we can offer them,” he said.

Down on the farm

The free Farm Tour & Harvest Sale runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov⁄farmtour. Rain could force postponement or cancellation of some events. Some sites are only open on Saturday.