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The agricultural industry is a commercial engine of Volusia County, with local farmers creating jobs, feeding families and injecting more than $ 780 million into the economy.
Residents can visit some of Volusia County’s more than 1,500 farms and other facilities during the 40th Annual Farm Tour 9 am to noon (last visit 11:30 am) on Friday, November 19.
The Volusia County Extension Service and Farm Bureau jointly sponsor the farm tour, which has been a popular fall tradition since 1981.
Western Volusia
• Melching Field at Conrad Park, 555 S. Woodland Blvd., DeLand: 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
This picturesque and friendly stadium has been selected as a varsity baseball field by the Sports Turf Managers Association. This tour will only be offered once.
• Sampsell Family Farm, 5931 Lake Winona Road, DeLeon Springs: 9:00 am to noon
This emerging farming business has bred white-tailed deer for the past 10 years, selling and releasing trophy-sized bucks in various game reserves. Thirty-minute tours will be offered at 9, 9:30, 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
• Happy Hills Farm, 115 Nolan Road, Pierson: 9 a.m. to noon
This sheep farm was established in Babson Park by the late Dr. Deborah J. Lepley in 2010 and moved to Volusia County five years ago. The herd is made up of pureblood dorpers, while the commercial line includes crosses of katahdin and dorper. Thirty-minute tours will be offered at 9, 9:30, 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
• Vo-LaSalle Farms, 601 Johnson Lake Road, DeLeon Springs: 9 am to noon
The Crump family owns this diverse fruit and vegetable farm, which sells direct to consumers. Freshly picked fruits and vegetables will be available for purchase. Thirty-minute tours will be offered at 9, 9:30, 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Eastern Volusia
• Deep Creek Preserve, 964 S. State Road 415, New Smyrna Beach: 8:45 am to 9:30 am
Volusia County manages this 8,040-acre conservation area, which is a key part of the wildlife greenway known as the Volusia Conservation Corridor. The reserve includes a cattle and forestry ranch purchased with funds from the Volusia Forever program. The tour will only be offered once.
• Benedict Farms, 705 Airport Road, New Smyrna Beach: 9:00 a.m. to noon
Founded around 1934, this family farm produces hay for its livestock, as well as seasonal vegetables for the community. Fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods and jellies will be available for purchase. Thirty-minute tours will be offered at 9, 9:30, 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
• New Smyrna Beach High School Land Lab, 868 Alberta St., New Smyrna Beach: 9 a.m. to noon
Meet the next generation of farmers and learn about their innovative projects, such as breeding programs and beekeeping production. Thirty-minute tours will be offered at 9, 9:30, 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
• S&S Apiaries, 2429 Pioneer Trail, New Smyrna Beach: 9:00 a.m. to noon
Founder and owner Jesse Azam spent five years in beekeeping for a large commercial apiary focused on crop pollination and honey production in his native Israel. Today, S&S produces many varieties of honey, which will be available for purchase. Thirty-minute tours will be offered at 9, 9:30, 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Face coverings are strongly encouraged. For more information, call (386) 822-5778.
