Capital Area Solar/Farm Tour

Friends of the Franklin County Farmers Market

First Annual Farm Tour

In conjunction with the Capital Area Solar Tour

***

A Guided Bus Tour

Saturday, September 28

and

Saturday, October 5

1PM-6PM each day

Leaving from River View Park

Downtown Frankfort

***

To Register for either tour,

contact Amy at contact Amy at 502-219-1856

or [email protected]

www.FCMarket.org

$10 (children 12 and under free)

$5 discount for Friends of the Market

***

Special Thanks to Frankfort Transit for providing the buses

Sponsored by FrankfortCAN and the Friends of the Market

September 28 Tour

Bluegrass Meadows/ Mefford Family Farms (tentative)

 Bettie Mefford and Diana Hogan’s fifth generation family farming operation raises Belgian Blue cattle in Peaks Mill, Kentucky.  Their herd of about 70 animals graze on native bluegrass and fescue, and in the winter on locally produced hay.  

Hutcherson Family Farm

Robert, Susan and Lincoln Hutcherson grow 20 acres of vegetables and fruits on their family farm located on Steadmantown Lane along the Elkhorn Creek. Bobby grew up on their farm, and they sell their produce at the Franklin, Woodford, and Owen County Farmers Markets.

Franklin County Extension Office

We’ll stop by the Extension Office to see the solar water heater that provides hot water for the building and learn about what Extension has to offer to the community.

Happy Jack’s Pumpkin Farm

Since 1996, Richard and Lee Ann Jones and their sons David and Adam, have grown vegetables and raised goats, cows and a few exotic animals on their Frankfort farm along the Elkhorn Creek.  Fall is a busy time at Happy Jack’s as people flock to the farm to choose a pumpkin or go for a hay ride.  Lee Ann will take us for a hay ride during the tour.

October 5 Tour

Earth Tools

This Owen County business owned by Joel DuFour sells walk-behind tractors, implements and high-quality hand tools. Electricity for their office and warehouse is supplied by a grid-tied 12.2 KW solar photovoltaic system installed in 2011. Their facilities use passive solar design, salvaged materials, rainwater harvesting, and a composting toilet.

Ayres Family Orchard

Ayres Family Orchard is a working, family-owned orchard located on a hilltop overlooking the Kentucky River Valley. Established in 1983, Larry Ayres and his family produce peaches, plums, pears, berries, and over 40 varieties of apples.  They make apple cider, jams, and baked goods from their fruit.  Their farm is located in Owen County.

Cedar Ring Greens

Cedar Ring Greens is a certified-organic market garden located on 12.5 acres in Peaks Mill that is owned by Connie Lemley and Andy McDonald. Cedar Ring Greens specializes in lettuces and greens, and they also grow a variety of other vegetables. The farm includes two high-tunnels (unheated greenhouses) for extending the growing season, a small greenhouse for starting seedlings, and a homemade walk-in cooler. 

Connie and Andy have been renovating their house since they purchased the farm in 2009. The renovated home’s features include passive solar heating and cooling; super-insulation added to the original brick structure; salvaged materials; use of Structural Insulation Panels (SIPs) for the walls and roof of a small house addition; a vegetated roof; and a grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Since being installed in 2011, the 1.125 KW solar PV system has generated more electricity than they have used in their home and farm, making this a “net-zero energy” home and business.