With summer in full swing, it’s time to refresh your favorite sunny-day activities. Sitting by the community pool is relaxing, and grabbing a scoop of your favorite ice cream always helps keep you cool. But there has to be more to summer in the Treasure Valley than shopping and sweet treats, right?
Well, you’re in luck because the farms and family businesses on Destination Caldwell’s AgVenture Trail have lots of opportunities for you to get outside, get your hands dirty, and enjoy the summer sun in a new way.
Farm Tours
Whether you’re trying to think of ways to engage your kids without a tablet or television, or you want to enjoy an afternoon with some friends, farm tours are the perfect opportunity to make new memories and experience the simple life in Caldwell.
Cherry Hill Farms’ annual Cherry Tours are July 22 at their property in Caldwell, Idaho. Offering wagon rides, animals, cherry picking, and lots of scrumptious goodies, Cherry Hill Farms is giving you an inside scoop on all things fruit for one day only! Along with enjoying their picturesque property, you can also see their corn maze progress and visit their fruit stand.
Critters Creek Farm offers tours for groups up to 12 people! With alpacas, cows, pigs, and sheep, you might just meet your new favorite animal and experience cuteness overload! Tours are 60-90 minutes and $15 a person for those over three years of age.
If you’re looking for smaller creatures, Steele Legacy Honey & Craft has a great alternative: beekeeping tours! With group and private options, the Tate family gives you an up-close look at the life of one of nature’s most mystifying creatures. You can conquer your fear of the bee and taste fresh honey, giving you memories to not only last the summer, but the rest of your life!
U-Pick Flowers
Need something to brighten your day and your kitchen? Stop by Mason Creek Flower Farm, Peaceful Belly Farm or Lovely Hollow Farms for U-Pick flowers this summer! Perusing fields of sunflowers, chrysanthemums, and daisies is the most blissful addition to your summer bucket list. Offering containers to hold your blooming treasures, both farms charge by the bucket for your flowers, allowing you to create a beautiful and budget-friendly bouquet!
Produce Stands
Are those grocery store zucchinis looking a little limp? Are you struggling to find ruby red cherries in your produce aisle? Look no further than the produce stands of your hard-working, local farmers for all your fruit and vegetable needs. There are four farms on the AgVenture Trail with open fruit stands this summer, giving you the chance to learn about how your favorite foods are grown around the corner! Here’s a list of farm stands and hours for your convenience!
Lakeview Fruit: Monday – Friday: 10 am – 6 pm; Saturday – Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm
McIntyre Pastures: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8 am – 5 pm; Tuesday & Thursday: 10 am – 4 pm; Saturday: 9 am – 1 pm
Cherry Hill Farms: Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm
The Shed at Garrett Ranches: Monday – Saturday: 11 am – 5 pm
Don’t let the summer pass you by! Make sure to support local farms and ranches by visiting their properties, buying their produce and taking advantage of their events!
Megan Williams
