Photo Credit: Liuzza Land (Amite, LA)

Fall Farm Visits on the Great River Road

As summer comes to an end, fall begins to offer plentiful harvests all along the Great River Road. Here are some communities to visit and support for fresh, local produce.

  ~Minnesota~

Squash Blossom Farm (Oronoco, MN)

A short drive off the road is worth it when you arrive at the Squash Blossom Farm. They offer music, wood-fired pizza, and performances. Biking and walking enthusiasts are welcome to explore the Douglas Trail near the farm.

Fischer’s Croix Farm Orchard (Hastings, MN)

Located 25 minutes from Mall of America, Fischer’s Croix Farm Orchard is a great stop for a wagon ride and produce picking near the city. Don’t forget to grab yourself a caramel apple!

 ~Wisconsin~

ECKER’S APPLE ORCHARD (TREMPEALEAU, WI)

Don’t let the name misdirect you, the orchard also hosts a beer garden. Located near two colleges, Winona State University and Saint Mary’s University, the orchard is lively and fun.

White Pine Berry Farms (River Falls, WI)

Founded in 2012, White Pine Berry Farms is a “you pick” farm that carries a variety of seasonal produce. While traveling along the Great River Road, you won’t miss their large classic red barn. 

~Iowa~

Appleberry Orchard (Donnellson, IA)

When the family is road tripping along the Iowa Great River Road, you’ll want to stop by this orchard for all the family fun.  Especially the Pumpkin Chucker. (It’s exactly what you’re envisioning!!)  Also, sip on their Caramel Apple Spice drink to warm up during cold drafts. 

Gravert’s Apple Basket Orchard (Sabula, IA)

Gravert’s Apple Basket Orchard prides itself for growing 20 different apples. Pick the best apple of the season in the beautiful eastern hills of Iowa overlooking the Mississippi River.

~Illinois~

Eckert’s Belleville Farm (Belleville, IL)

Eckert’s Belleville Farm is a year-round farm that offers more than produce picking. The farm hosts seasonal family-friendly events, so keep an eye out for Halloween fun such as the Pumpkin Jamboree and Haunted Hayrides.

Rendleman Orchards (Alto Pass, IL)

Tired of apple cider? Rendleman Orchards hosts Crown Brew Coffee Co. to serve classic and seasonally flavored coffee drinks while you pick, or peruse their Farm Market full of fruits, veggies, jams, jellies, gourmet foods and more.

 ~Missouri~

Meert Tree Farm (Festus, MO)

The tree farm became popular among Festus locals through word-of-mouth in 1963. Today, the farm grows more than trees and offers a pumpkin patch in the fall. 

Perryville Pumpkin Farm (Perryville, MO)

Looking for the perfect fall experience? Well, look no further than this small Missouri pumpkin farm! Enjoy picking your own pumpkins, finding your way through the two acre corn maze, riding on the wagon, visiting the farm animals, and more.

~Kentucky~

Huyck Farms (Paducah, KY)

Have you tried an apple cider slushie? Now you can at Huyck Farms while exploring their pumpkin patch.

Coal Creek Orchard (Hopkinsville, KY)

Besides picking apples, you can also learn how to bake with them too. The orchard is longer drive from the Great River Road, but it offers classes and foods that are straight from the source. 

~Tennessee~

Jones Orchard (Millington, TN)

Besides picking, solve mysteries in who-dunnit activities! Later, join the orchard’s Festival of Fear to get spooked.

Windermere Farms & Apiaries (Memphis, TN)

Windermere Farms & Apiaries is a certified organic farm. Schedule a tour to learn how an organic farm is cropped, maintained, and protected.

~ARKANSAS~

Whitton Farms (Tyronza, AR)

Visit the Trolley Stop Market and look at beautiful flowers on Whitton Farms. Their produce is certified to be grown naturally without pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and genetically modified organisms. Call ahead to learn more and schedule a tour!

Pumpkin Hollow (Piggott, AR) 

From pumpkin picking, pony rides, and zip lining, this patch has diverse fun. According to Travel Channel, Pumpkin Hollow is one of the top 15 pumpkin patches in the U.S.

~Mississippi~ 

Photo Credit: Visit Mississippi

Mississippi Agritourism Trail

Looking for some outdoor fun in Mississippi? One way is to check out the state’s diverse agritourism farms and companies!

Foot Print Farms (Jackson, MS)

With the goal to teach young farmers how to grow fresh produce, Foot Print Farms prides itself in agritourism. Even though it’s a little off the Great River Road path, learn more about the farm and schedule a tour!

~Louisiana~

Liuzza Land (Amite, LA)

This Louisiana farm offers visitors an educational and hands on experience learning all about where food comes from, and how produce grows from seeds to food and travels from the farm to grocery stores. They have many popular farm activities including picking your own produce, animal exhibits, and seed planting.

Frogmore Cotton Plantation & Gins (Frogmore, LA)

Want to visit a plantation in the south? Fromore offers tours “Cotton Then & Now” and “The Plantation Civil War”.