Laurens County to Feature in This Weekend’s Ag + Art Tour

Laurens County is set to be part of the nation’s largest free farm tour, the South Carolina Ag + Art Tour, this weekend. This year’s tour, organized by Clemson Cooperative Extension, promises to showcase the cultural heritage and hardworking farmers of South Carolina to more visitors than ever before.

Since its inception in York County in 2012, the Ag + Art Tour has drawn over 100,000 visitors and expanded to include nine new counties this year, bringing the total to 20 counties and over 150 tour sites statewide. The South Carolina House of Representatives recognized the tour last year as a “national example” of a program championing agritourism.

Clemson Extension Agribusiness Agent and tour director Will Culler expressed pride in the tour’s growth and its educational impact. “We are proud of the commitment of our farms, artisans, and county teams. Because of that, we can sustain continued growth,” Culler said. “One of our goals has been to give people a better knowledge of what is produced in their backyard and help them support local businesses while making healthier food choices. This event does that by putting food and product with a face.”

The tour includes a variety of stops, from farms and farmers’ markets to sites showcasing weavers, painters, storytellers, metalworkers, and live musical performances. Some farms will also offer value-added products such as jarred and canned foods, honey, baked goods, and farm-fresh meals. The self-guided tour is free, and visitors can start and stop at any location.

For the first time, Visit Laurens County SC, the tourism arm of Laurens County operating under the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) and in conjunction with Laurens County Administration and Laurens County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, will host the Laurens County Ag + Art Tour. The event is scheduled for June 29-30, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Committee co-chairs Christian Taylor, LCCC Tourism Marketing Manager, and Courtney Stonell, Keep Laurens County Beautiful Affiliate Coordinator, expressed their enthusiasm for the event. “We’re excited to unveil the lineup of participating farms for this year’s tour. We hope everyone across Laurens County and South Carolina will participate in this incredible opportunity to explore the beauty of agriculture and art in Laurens County!”

Saturday, June 29 Tour Site Locations (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.):

• Barefoot Acres
• BioWay Farm
• Dixieland Farm
• LushAcres
• Laurens County Museum
• Waitmans Garlic at Blackberry Hill Farm
• Will Do Jersey Farm

Sunday, June 30 Tour Site Locations (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.):

• Laurens County Museum
• Waitmans Garlic at Blackberry Hill Farm
• Will Do Jersey Farm

For more details on each site, visit Laurens County Ag + Art Tour and follow @Ag and Art Tour Laurens County on Facebook for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes peeks at the farm sites and artisans.

South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers praised the tour as a tribute to the state’s agritourism efforts. “Blending in the art component, I just think that’s fascinating. The variety of opportunities that families have now to do that and the way it’s grown with the number of counties involved is a clear example of how a collaborative effort gets the results it receives,” Weathers said.

Visit Laurens County SC is thrilled to be a part of the 2024 Laurens County Ag + Art Tour, offering an opportunity for visitors to explore local farms and artisans. The South Carolina Ag + Art Tour, coordinated by Clemson Extension, is recognized nationally for its role in rural revitalization, farm-art collaboration, and agricultural education, attracting over 85,000 visitors since it began.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to experience the rich agricultural and artistic heritage of Laurens County this weekend!