Newberry Observer

Ag+Art Tour is this weekend

NEWBERRY COUNTY — With a little experience under their belt, the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce is ready for the second annual Ag+Art Tour in Newberry County this weekend. The tour will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.

“More people are aware of it now and what to expect, as do we,” said Michelle Long, executive director of the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce.

This year will include a variety of farms, some that were included on last year’s tour, and some that are new to the tour.

Bowers Farm (279 Ringer Road, Pomaria)

This will be their second time on the Ag+Art Tour, they are a pasture based livestock operation where they raise cows, goats, sheep, pigs, turkeys, ducks, chickens and rabbits. During a visit to this farm, guests can hop on a hayride and learn more about the livestock.

This farm will include artist CJ Marchese, a photographer; and Rena Johnson, who works with handmade acrylic, wood, bullet and deer antler writing pens.

Carolina Pride Pastures (1416 SC-34, Pomaria)

At this farm you can meet the growing heard of Huacaya Alpacas. You can learn about turning raw fleece into yarn and that yarn into other handmade items. During this tour you can watch knitting and crocheting demonstrations and a demonstration on feeding the herd.

This farm will include artist Eric Moore, who will have sculptures on display; and Henry Brooks, a performing artist who performs bluegrass music.

Grow Newberry Farmers Market (Memorial Park 1201 McKibben Street, Newberry)

This will be the second year for the Farmers Market. Guests can show a selection of produce, ready made food and crafts. There will be a focus on arts the Sunday for the tour.

Artists on this tour will include, Lane Hederson Joiner, a performing artist who performs dance, live music and acting; Donna Bass and Garett Dissmore, who will have skincare, wellness and handmade jewelry; Andrew Minus, who will offer baked goods; Kendyl Griffith, beaded jewelry and other products; Anne Hester; handmade soaps; The Farmer’s Wife, baked goods; and a variety of other artist from the Newberry Art Center.

Hendrix Farm/Do-Si-Jo’s (3086 Beaver Dam Creek Road, Newberry)

A new farm to the tour, this farm is an agritourism destination. They raise grass fed beef cattle and goats, however, the farming at this location is primarily raising hay for the livestock. The farm is utilized for events, including a corn maze, pumpkin patch and many other activities during the fall season. During visits to this farm, guests can take part in hay rides and hay baling at select times.

Artists at this location will include, painters Carmen Cacalano and Peggy Thomas.

Rodgers Heirlooms (2528 Old Dutch Road, Little Mountain)

A certified organic grower of heirloom tomatoes and heirloom vegetables for specialty seed companies, the farm also produces cut flowers. During a visit to this farm, guests can take a guided garden tour and see a seed saving demonstration at select times.

The artist at this location will be Barbara Teusink, a painter.

West Ridge Farms (3535 Wheeland School Road, Prosperity)

A new farm on the tour, West Ridge is a cattle and grass fed beef farm. A special activity during this tour will include a grass fed beef seminar and a low-stress cattle working seminar.

The artist at this farm will be Samantha Blair, a painter.

Ancillary Sites

During the tour there will be sites that while participating in the tour, will have their own hours.

• Carter and Holmes Orchids (629 Mendenhall Road, Newberry; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday)

• Enoree River Winery (1650 Dusty Road, Newberry; noon-6 p.m. Saturday and 2-6 p.m. Sunday). The following artists will also be at this site, Debby Greenlaw, fiber artisan; Carolyn Bivona, handmade jewelry; and Michelle Kingsberry, painter.

• Lever Farms (5057 SC 34, Pomaria; Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.)

• Mayer Farms (968 Spearman Road, Newberry; open for tours Saturday at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.).

• Po Dunk Holler (1378 Main Street, Little Mountain; Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 1-6 p.m.).

“When choosing the farms, we wanted a variety of different agricultural experiences to expose Newberry County residents to,” said Liz MacDonald, Chamber administrator.

During this year’s tour, Union and Spartanburg Counties will share the weekend with Newberry, with visitors having the ability to visit farms in all three counties, they said.

“If history proves true, there will be more foot traffic on Saturday and Sunday will have less foot traffic, but more purchases,” said Long

When you are out on the tour, if you need assistance finding the next farm to visit — or general information about the tour — volunteers will be wearing purple Ag+Art shirts and will be happy to help.

To help promote the Ag+Art Tour, Renwick Price Shealy painted the rock outside the Valmont Plant in Newberry. This side shows a cool strawberry.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_DSC_0202.jpgTo help promote the Ag+Art Tour, Renwick Price Shealy painted the rock outside the Valmont Plant in Newberry. This side shows a cool strawberry. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
On this side of the rock, Renwick Price Shealy painted a happy chick.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_DSC_0201.jpgOn this side of the rock, Renwick Price Shealy painted a happy chick. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@newberryobserver.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.