Here in Wisconsin, you're never too far from a farm. Agriculture is one of the things we do best, and agricultural tourism is taking off all across the state. Whether it's a visit to a working farm, picking a juicy apple right off the tree or even enjoying a delicious meal at a farm-to-fork restaurant, there are plenty of ways to experience the best of Wisconsin agriculture.
1. Milk Dottie the Dairy Cow at Glacier Rock Farms - In Wisconsin, we're known for our dairy farms, but plenty of Wisconsinites have never actually milked a cow. At Glacier Rock Farms in Ixonia, visitors can learn how to milk Dottie the Dairy Cow. Just be sure to give her a treat afterwards.
2. Hop on the Train at Glacier Rock Farms - Enjoy a scenic train ride through the rolling hills at Glacier Rock Farms. You may even catch a glimpse of a llama or two out in the pasture.
3. Glacier Rock Farms Petting Farm - Pet and hold a variety of adorable little critters, like hedgehogs, chinchillas, chicks and rabbits.
4. Attend a barn wedding - Agricultural tourism doesn't always mean participating in traditional farm activities. Beautiful barn weddings are a growing trend, and Badger Farms in Deerfield and The Enchanted Barn in Barron County are two gorgeous Wisconsin farmsteads perfect for a couple's big day.
5. Barron County's Moon Lake Threshing Bee - Learn all about the history of Wisconsin agriculture at the Moon Lake Threshing Bee in Barron County. Visitors can observe old-fashioned farm equipment at work. Barron County is also home to the Hungry Hollow Steam Engine Days, where antique steam engine machinery is on display for all to enjoy.
6. Pioneer Village Museum - With more than 40 buildings to tour, dozens of historical exhibits and costumed guides bringing the past to life, visitors will feel like they've taken a step back in time as they learn about Wisconsin's rural history at the Pioneer Village Museum in Barron County.
7. Mommsen's Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard - Pick the perfect pumpkin, take a scenic hayride and even watch a good, old-fashioned pumpkin chuckin' at Mommsen's Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard in Rice Lake.
8. Enjoy a delicious meal at The Cannery Public Market - Choose from dozens of delicious casual and gourmet options at this farm-to-fork restaurant in downtown Green Bay.
9. Tour Pagel's Ponderosa - Head to Kewaunee and take a tour of Wisconsin's largest family-owned dairy farm to learn about where much of the products served at The Cannery come from.
10. The Cannery Public Market - In addition to the restaurant, The Cannery also has a market with a deli, fresh milk, cheese and other locally sourced products available for purchase.
Wisconsin agritourism can be enjoyed in so many ways. What do you do to appreciate Wisconsin's agriculture industry? Tell us on social media using #DiscoverWisconsin.
- Jennifer Ingish is a producer for the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." The column is published Tuesday on Life page in the Times.
1. Milk Dottie the Dairy Cow at Glacier Rock Farms - In Wisconsin, we're known for our dairy farms, but plenty of Wisconsinites have never actually milked a cow. At Glacier Rock Farms in Ixonia, visitors can learn how to milk Dottie the Dairy Cow. Just be sure to give her a treat afterwards.
2. Hop on the Train at Glacier Rock Farms - Enjoy a scenic train ride through the rolling hills at Glacier Rock Farms. You may even catch a glimpse of a llama or two out in the pasture.
3. Glacier Rock Farms Petting Farm - Pet and hold a variety of adorable little critters, like hedgehogs, chinchillas, chicks and rabbits.
4. Attend a barn wedding - Agricultural tourism doesn't always mean participating in traditional farm activities. Beautiful barn weddings are a growing trend, and Badger Farms in Deerfield and The Enchanted Barn in Barron County are two gorgeous Wisconsin farmsteads perfect for a couple's big day.
5. Barron County's Moon Lake Threshing Bee - Learn all about the history of Wisconsin agriculture at the Moon Lake Threshing Bee in Barron County. Visitors can observe old-fashioned farm equipment at work. Barron County is also home to the Hungry Hollow Steam Engine Days, where antique steam engine machinery is on display for all to enjoy.
6. Pioneer Village Museum - With more than 40 buildings to tour, dozens of historical exhibits and costumed guides bringing the past to life, visitors will feel like they've taken a step back in time as they learn about Wisconsin's rural history at the Pioneer Village Museum in Barron County.
7. Mommsen's Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard - Pick the perfect pumpkin, take a scenic hayride and even watch a good, old-fashioned pumpkin chuckin' at Mommsen's Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard in Rice Lake.
8. Enjoy a delicious meal at The Cannery Public Market - Choose from dozens of delicious casual and gourmet options at this farm-to-fork restaurant in downtown Green Bay.
9. Tour Pagel's Ponderosa - Head to Kewaunee and take a tour of Wisconsin's largest family-owned dairy farm to learn about where much of the products served at The Cannery come from.
10. The Cannery Public Market - In addition to the restaurant, The Cannery also has a market with a deli, fresh milk, cheese and other locally sourced products available for purchase.
Wisconsin agritourism can be enjoyed in so many ways. What do you do to appreciate Wisconsin's agriculture industry? Tell us on social media using #DiscoverWisconsin.
- Jennifer Ingish is a producer for the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." The column is published Tuesday on Life page in the Times.