 Limbert Mountain Farm, Tourism Harrison photo
Circle Farm Tour The Circle Farm Tour can be driven year round - some locations require advance notice, especially in the slower season. However, once a year in the summer, it becomes a Slow Food Cycle Tour where bicycles dominate the roads. Other annual events include Brunch on the Farm and Feast of Fields; both are culinary extravaganzas geared to showcase local food and agriculture. Check with the Visitor Centre for dates and ticket information.
The Farm House Natural Cheeses This family-run farm handcrafts such mouth-watering artisan cheeses that The White House is on its customer list, as are several top-name restaurants and hotels. Watch cheese-makers crafting rounds of brie, Gouda and cheddar through the glass wall and try a few cheese samples (the Castle Blue is especially tasty). The Farm House Natural Cheeses' tiny store also has nifty giftware for the kitchen. Call ahead for an appointment to visit the barns and the hundreds of goats which all seem competitively intent on stealing the show with their playful and endearing temperaments. At Christmas, the cows, goats, sheep and family donkey are put to work staging a Living Nativity Show.
The Back Porch While the land yields more than 18 varieties of garlic including Russian Red, this small acre farm has a distinctly grass-roots, artistic twist. One of the converted character buildings is a pottery studio-showroom as well as a coffee roastery where organic and estate coffees are roasted in a circa 1919 Royal #5 flame roaster. Country Coyote, Rustic Rooster and Mellow Moose are signature blends. Head over to the barn for antiques, collectibles and other fun items for home and garden décor. There's a huge flower garden and goats and chickens add to the melee.
Canadian Hazelnuts Acres of hazelnut trees line the road into Harrison Hot Springs, which Canadian Hazelnuts harvest, roast and process into a variety of flavours such as citrus, cinnamon sugar, and sweet 'n' spicy, as well as grind into flour and protein powder. Enjoy a self-guided orchard tour and take U-pick baskets along in October and November.
Tulips of the Valley
Stroll over 40 acres of 30 different types of tulips at the annual tulip festival in April, hosted by the grower. Grown for their bulbs, these flowers are shipped all over Canada.
Sparkes Corn & Strawberry Barns
Peaches and Cream, Super Sweet and Jubilee are among the popular corn and strawberry varieties. The annual Fall Fair and Corn Festival in September celebrates this produce and more, with the local Circle Farm Tour displays and booths.
Limbert Mountain Farm Nestled against a hillside which once grew some of the region's earliest vineyards, the heritage (1902) Limbert Mountain Farm has an elegant presence overlooking the valley. While it still harvests fruit and walnuts from trees planted more than 100 years ago, its primary produce is more than 60 varieties of culinary herbs and scented geraniums, making it a foodie's heaven. Enjoy 'from scratch' soup, herb bread, and salads for lunch in The Tea Room, bask in the sunshine on the outdoor patio and take home some of the Farm's own Simply Fine Foods line of pasta, sauces and herbal chocolate. Check out the schedule of participatory dinners and cooking demonstrations.
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