Cultivating Experiences for everyone

Agriculture is booming across Richmond/Wayne County as producers are finding innovative ways to connect with consumers and tourism.

Bell’s Strawberry Farm

The Bells have been raising juicy red strawberries in Hagerstown, Indiana since 1985. In 2006, the Bell’s were chosen as the Indiana Farm Family  of the Year. The secret to Bell’s sweet tasting strawberries is a combination of rich clay loam soil, deep clean well water, lots of sunshine, and a bunch of hard work. Picking strawberries and making family memories is easily enjoyed by both young and young at heart. There are lots of big shade trees and a swing set in the yard for kids. It is not uncommon for some folks to bring a picnic basket and make their berry picking a day long   family outing. The Bells are always willing to take time and share picking techniques, strawberry    recipes, and tips on how to make them last longer once you get them home.

Pappaw’s Hunny Farm

What began with four beehives in 2010 has blossomed into a thriving honey farm for Gary & Paula Keesling.     Located on their small farm is the Hunny Hut which has two doors because it serves two purposes. The door on the right leads to the honey extraction room. Here, Mr. Keesling will explain/demonstrate the  process of extracting honey. The door on the left is the bright and cheery farm store which offers multiple honey products made in the room next door. Samples are always available.  On-site honey products available for purchase: Honey, cinnamon spun honey, herb-infused honey, creamed honey, honey BBQ sauce (Won 1st Place at the Indiana State Fair), spicy with Jalapeno pepper BBQ sauce, and hot with Habenero peppers BBQ sauce.  In addition to their beehives, the Keeslings have furry residents visitors can enjoy. If time allows, Gary will take you on a tour of the ten acre farm, via a golf cart, so you can see their animals up close. You may get a chance to feed the miniature donkeys.

Dougherty Orchard

Since 1883 – Indiana’s oldest family-owned orchard.  There are many family-friendly adventures at this working orchard. Pick your own apples, trek to the pumpkin patch to select your pumpkin for carving, and stroll through McDougherty’s petting farm. In the rustic barn, serving as a store, you’ll find apples, peaches, and other produce, fresh apple cider, a variety of home recipe jellies/preserves/apple butter and more. A familiar aroma will lead you to the bakery where you will find their homemade apple donuts,  apple dumplings, and caramel apples.  New to their offerings is Apple wine, made by J & J Winery using Dougherty Orchard apples.

Golliher Farms

Since 1850s, 5th generation.  Naturally raised meat and produce.  The Golliher’s have food club.  Members receive weekly shares of 3-5 pounds of  pastured raised/free range meats, brown eggs and 10 + pounds of  fresh produce from the farm. The club runs for 10 weeks from July to September. Opening May 2018 is their FARM STORE . . . The store will be full of farm fresh meat, produce, and locally sourced honey, jams, jellies, herbs, maple syrup, bread, cheeses, and more.   Golliher’s provides meat to local restaurants. Golliher Farms provide dry-aged beef to several restaurants in Wayne County such as The Cordial Cork, Kitchen at the Loft, and Radford’s Meats & Deli. 

Stockberger’s Maple Syrup Farm

since 1956.  Bill Stockberger taps around 1,000 trees for his maple syrup operation.  he business started in 1956 by Bill’s father and it has continued to grow.  In addition to maple syrup, sorghum, molasses and honey are produced on the farm as well as seasonal strawberries, sweet corn and pumpkins.  Bill encourages visits to the farm to watch a demonstration of maple syrup making.

Kitchen at the Loft Restaurant

Located in the Historic Depot District.  Savory food prepared with locally sourced farm-to-table ingredients. The meat is supplied by Golliher Farms (since the 1850s) located in our county. They grow their own hay and corn, so their cattle are fed from the same    all-natural, stress-free environment they are raised in! No drugs or hormones are given to the cattle.  At Kitchen at the Loft, everything is made in-house including their breads and buns. There are many gluten-free selections for those who have dietary restrictions. Produce is purchased from local farmers markets and they have begun growing some of their own. They grow most of their herbs, including what they use for their handcrafted cocktails and several organic liqueurs, vodkas, etc.

Additional Wayne County Agritourism

Natural Farms BBQ sauce, Fountain Acres Amish Store, Cope Environmental Center Maple Syrup Festival, Several Farmer’s Markets throughout the county, J & J Winery/Noble Order Brewery, New Boswell Brewery & Tap Room, Lonely Windmill Farm—Goat Milk Products, Sweet Annie Soapworks, Potters’ Soap & Such, Roehler’s Christmas Tree Farm