Volusia County 39th Annual Farm Tour This Friday

DeLand, FL – The local agricultural industry is opening its doors to visitors on Friday, November 20 at eight farms located across Volusia County for the 39th annual farm tour.  Thirty minute tours can be taken between 9 a.m. and noon. The farm tour, which has been a popular fall tradition since 1981, is jointly sponsored by the University of Florida/Volusia County Extension and the Volusia County Farm Bureau. Social distancing guidelines will be in place and face coverings are highly encouraged.   There are four East Volusia and four West Volusia farms that can be visited in any order between 9 a.m. and noon. The following West Volusia farms will offer tours every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to noon: Four & Change Farm/Katahdin Sheep Farm, 1327 W. State Road 40, Pierson. Sally Mangra has been raising Katahdin sheep for almost 10 years and is president of the Florida Meat Sheep Alliance. Participants will better understand sheep production in Florida and how Mangra markets her products to the end consumer and youth livestock exhibitors. Legacy Farms and Ornamentals, 665 Bennett Road, Pierson. The McNaughton family are fourth and fifth generation farmers who will show how they have created a business using their knowledge and experience in cattle ranching, raising hogs, and growing cabbage and cut foliage. They will also showcase their newly constructed agritourism venue, which can be rented for special events. Perez Nursery & Landscaping, 1375 U.S. 17, Seville. Perez Nursey & Landscaping has been in businessfor over 13 years and is owned and operated by three brothers. This tour will highlight the company’s 25 acre retail and wholesale nursery. Trees, shrubs and perennials will be available for purchase. Vo-LaSalle Farms, 601 Johnson Lake Road, DeLeon Springs. The Crump family will discuss the latestvegetable varieties, citrus and orange juice, and cutting-edge irrigation techniques at this diversified vegetable farm that sells directly to the consumer. Fresh-picked fruits and vegetables will be available for purchase. The following East Volusia farms will offer tours every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to noon: Benedict Farms, 705 Airport Road, New Smyrna Beach. Benedict Farms, established circa 1934, is in Samsula and is built on family tradition. After many years of producing hay for their cattle, the farm is expanding by growing delicious seasonal vegetables to be enjoyed by the community. Fresh-picked fruits,vegetables, baked goods and jellies will be available for purchase. Common Ground Farm, 1330 E. Taylor Road, DeLand. This vegetable farm combines traditional organicpractices with the latest in farming approaches. The owners will explain how they grow their vegetables to be more nutritious and offer tips on choosing food wisely and eating healthy. Fresh picked fruits andvegetables will be available for purchase. Tours will be offered every hour from 9 a.m. to noon. IROC (Indian River Oyster Company), 520 Barracuda Blvd., New Smyrna Beach. This oyster company isfamily owned and operated by farmers who share a passion for raising oysters from tide to table. Theiroysters are grown in the Indian River Lagoon, where IROC strives to bring the highest quality oyster whileconserving the lagoon for future generations. This tour stop will take place at the Marine Discovery Center. IROC promotional products will be available for purchase and oysters will be available for order. Yaupon Brothers American Tea Co., 1814 Fern Palm Drive, Edgewater. Yaupon Brothers American Tea Company was founded in 2015 by two brothers, Bryon and Kyle White, and a former mentor-turned-business-partner, Mark Steele. This tea company uses leaves from the native yaupon holly to create local, sustainably produced teas. Each leaf is hand-plucked, carefully dried or fire-roasted, graded and milled, and hand-packed in Edgewater. A wide variety of yaupon teas will be available for purchase. For more information, visit www.volusia.org/extension or call the extension office at 386-822-5778.