The Holmes County Farm Tour is designed to open the eyes of both locals and tourists who want to experience different aspects of agriculture, the biggest source of income and employment in Holmes County.

This year the farm tour, in its fifth year after a long hiatus, took to the back roads and hills of northwestern Holmes County, where patrons were treated to a thrilling day of fun and information.

A total of 10 stops on the tour, combined with several other points of interest, provided a daylong excursion that left those following the 40-plus mile tour in a great mood, whether they were petting a baby alpaca, riding high on a bucket truck, learning about shorthorn cattle or seeing firsthand how a small local farm creates beautiful baskets of produce.

Chris and Susan Hershberger, of Wooster, came down south a little ways to experience Holmes County at its agricultural best. They have been to a couple of tours in Wayne County, but having heard about the tour at the Holmes County Fair, they wanted to experience how Holmes County put their tour on.

“We felt right away that this was something we wanted the kids to experience,” said Chris Hershberger. “This is a really nice tour, that is very relaxed and not so commercialized. It has been fascinating for the kids to experience some of the things that they have seen in videos and on TV about farming. We’ve had a blast.”

Gary and Billie Farmer, of West Salem, saw the tour in the newspaper, and decided to bring their sons, Jacob and Riley. Jacob took the ride up the 75-foot bucket truck extension at Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, and said it was no sweat getting up to that height. “I wasn’t scared a bit,” said Jacob. “But I haven’t ever been up that high before.”

The tour covered 10 different stops throughout northwestern Holmes County, and showcased a nice variety of businesses related both directly and indirectly to the farming and agricultural industry.

The 10-stop tour began at the Holmes County Fairground, and included stops at Paint Valley Farms, which showcased shorthorn cattle, Spring Hill Farm, a father and son farm owned by Tom and Chris Lang which showed off not just cattle but a large machinery parts business that ships around the world, Richardson’s Greenhouse, Spring Ridge Alpacas and The Shepherd’s Market, where beekeepers Joseph and Marion Yoder talked produce and honey.

However, the committee worked hard to include some stops that are vitally important to the success of agriculture in Holmes County. Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, Agri-Sludge Inc., which provides bio-solid waste services, Holmes County Pottery, where Cary Hulin crafts lumps of clay into fine pottery, Oak Bridge Timber Framing, Ltd. In addition, and as a real plus, Mohican Parochial School opened its doors to the public, providing a glimpse into the life of a small Amish parochial school that has been instrumental in educating countless students who have since gone on to the farming industry.

At Spring Ridge, Pat Starrett, of Seven Hills near Cleveland, said their entourage was having a great day taking their time around Holmes County’s byways and fresh fields. She said what had made the tour the best for them wasn’t just the incredible scenery, but the way they were greeted at each of the stops.

“Everyone we have run into along the way has been so incredibly friendly,” said Starrett. “It is nice to get out into the country and see how all of these different businesses connect with agriculture, but what has made our day is the way we have been treated. We’ve had a lot of questions answered, and everyone has been so polite, It makes it so much more enjoyable. What a great way to spend a day.”

Obviously, those who took the time to take the tour had a blast, but what about the people who put the tour together and the owners and employees who made each of the stops memorable?

If you want to hear their reactions, check out the August 29 edition of the Holmes County Bargain Hunter.