News
Farm to Fork tours successfully launch
1/4/2012
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Published by: The News Sun
An agritourism effort two years in the making had a successful launch in 2011, the Noble County Convention and Visitors Bureau said.
For two years the bureau has been developing one of the most comprehensive Farm to Fork efforts in Indiana on a countywide level, said the bureau's executive director, John Bry.
A broad group of partners have been developing the tour program that is designed to give visitors a look at the broad range of food products raised in the county, Bry said.
"One of the key elements behind Farm to Fork is to educate consumers about where food comes from, the challenges local producers face, and to give visitors an up close look and taste of the diverse food offerings found in the county," Bry said.
The stakeholders involved in the development of Farm to Fork ranged from producers to the Noble County Cooperative Extension Office.
"There was consensus from the beginning that one of the key components of the project was to educate, and to create a network that would also promote the products of the growers," Bry added.
Initial responses to Farm to Fork's soft launch this year has been positive, and a meal experience is an optional part of the tour as well.
Local foods are used in the preparation of those tour options with farm feasts, and are held at a unique location around the county.
One local group toured Lavender Lane and then enjoyed a meal on the front porch of author Gene Stratton-Porter's historic home overlooking Sylvan Lake. The meal included items made from the lavender farm.
"The range of products raised in Noble County is diverse, and the feedback from producers and visitors alike has been terrific," Bry said. "A second phase of Farm to Fork will also include developing a heritage farm location that will be a centralized market location and outlet for the producers.
"Educational gardens, kitchen facilities, and ongoing programming at the heritage farm will be a hallmark of the location," Bry said.
There are six locations in or near Noble County on the Farm to Fork Tours currently, and two more locations are set to be added in 2012.
Current farms participating include Cook's Bison Ranch, Lavender Lane, Foxtrail Farm, DeCamp's Produce, Maple Acres and Orchard Hill Farms. Mirror Lake Farm and Country Heritage Vineyard will be added in the new season.
Plans and discussion are under way to expand the Noble County effort to include Whitley and Huntington County locations. More locations are expected to come online in Noble County as well.
Seasonal locations such as LeCount's Strawberries and Fashion Farm also are highlighted.
New tour group reservations will be taken beginning this month. The bureau will expand its marketing efforts to begin reaching across the state and beyond.
A highlight marketing piece will be a special brochure that features the personal stories of each of the growers.
"The growing season of the products from the region is impressive that runs from February to the end of October," Bry said. "The quality of the food raised here has really turned the head of visitors, and the growers beginning to find new markets, and a following with consumers."
For more information on the Farm to Fork Tours or to make group reservations for the 2012 season, contact the bureau at visitnoblecounty.com or 599-0060. Back to Top