A free, self-guided tour of farms and farmers markets featuring local artisans takes place throughout Kershaw County this weekend. Camden-Kershaw County Tourism Director Suzi Sale said there are six major farm sites, nine ancillary farm-related sites, and more than 30 artisans participating in the county’s 4th annual event.
“The Ag + Art Tour concept was created as a product of Clemson University in conjunction with our regional state tourism partner, the Olde English Tourism Commission,” Sale said. “This special agri-tourism event has proven to be a very rewarding attraction for our county, with several thousand tour goers visiting here each year.
“Our county received the Olde English District’s tourism attraction of the year award because of the hard work, commitment, creativity, time, energy and dedication to Kershaw County that every site pours into making the Ag + Art Tour such a wonderful experience. They really are the powers who drive our robust agricultural economy. This weekend is a great time to get better acquainted with all they do, and give them a big thanks.”
On the agenda are:
Quite Content Farm, 104 East Hampton Street, Camden: Saturday (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) + Sunday (1-5 p.m.). Come see their collection of vintage Farmall tractors and explore this amazing urban garden. Visitors can purchase okra ornaments, dried flower arrangements from the garden, gourd crafts, Quite Content Farm honey & Bees Wax lip balm/gloss, furniture polish, and Carolina reaper ground pepper flakes. Artisans at the farm will include Nature’s Jewels by Stephanie Tetterton, Paintings by Alice Brooks, Watercolors by Patti Johnstone, Simply Elegant Gourds by Terry Humphries & Linda Kincaid, Little Bear Soap Company by Robyn White , Artist Wanda Stokes, Artist Pam Anschutz, Bird Houses by Brian Baldwin, Dewey Bass Band (Saturday only), Guitarist Jeff Clark (Sunday only), and Anna Catoe Refreshments.
Raintree Farms, 1913 Watkins Road, Cassatt: Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.) -- a small farm nestled in rural Kershaw County and home to Raintree Jacks Inc., South Carolina’s only licensed, non-profit Jack Russell Terrier Rescue. Consists of honeybees, two brooder turkey barns + horses. There will be pony cart rides, goats and a donkey for children to enjoy, a croquet games and lawn darts. They also host an apiary and their honey is seasonally harvested and sold on site and online. Select Jack Russell Terriers will be available for adoption. Drinks will be available for purchase, along with plenty of hats and shirts with bee and Jack Russell art. Artisans will include: Container Gardener Stacy Baker (Saturday only), Canebrake Apiary and Aquaponics by Rosalind M Severt, Paintings by Shereena Alvarado, Bramblewood Okra by Darlene + Arlene Cantey, CC’s Bowtique (Sunday only).
Goat Daddy’s Farm, 144 Tomahawk Trail, Elgin: Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday, 1-5 p.m. -- A Grade A goat dairy located on 25 acres of hardwoods in a rural location where wildlife and livestock can live among each other in harmony. They sell raw goats milk, chèvre, heritage woodland raised pork, soaps, honey from our bee hives, eggs, and whole chickens raised on the farm! The weekend will include some wonderful exploration and educational activities for kids and grown-ups alike. Artisans will include Carolina Wildlife Rescue (Saturday), Pine Tree Hill Wildlife, Exotic and Rescue (Sunday), Random Tap Brewers, Simple Expression by Joanne Cook, Harmony Acres Soap Company by Keaton Emmons, Xquisitely Designed by Vanessa Bondurant, Fiber Fantaisies by Sabine Compeyn, Little Shop of Mara’s by Damara Fletcher.
Old McCaskill’s Farm & B+B Inn, 377 Cantey Lane, Rembert: Saturday only, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- This exceptional family-owned and super family-friendly farm is one-of-a-kind and a major food stop for lunch selling concessions such as BBQ sandwiches, hot dogs, peanuts, drinks and more. This is a working farm raising hormone and antibiotic free foods, and everyone can visit many interesting out buildings, barns, vegetable garden, greenhouse and cellar. The farm store offers lamb, pork, goat, beef, chicken, eggs, canned goods, prepared meals, rice, grits, honey, goat cheese, and other specialty products, including homegrown lamb’s wool blankets, and more. A black smith will be firing up the forge, and Old McCaskill himself will be cranking up the saw mill. Kids will enjoy a rib-tickling scavenger hunt to “find which animal tells the best jokes” -- simply follow the provided clues. A visit to the Brooder Room with incubator to watch hatching chicks is a must, and take a peek inside their commercial kitchen used for canning and Ashley’s prepared meals. Artisans will include Ashley’s Food, Meals & Dips To Go by Ashley’s Robinson, Effective Marks by painter and graphic designer Walt Simpson, Original Paintings by Ellin Baskin, Kirby’s Delites (famous 14n1 spices by Kirby Woodham), Blacksmith Kennedy Bynum at the forge, Leather goods by Wayne McManus, and Tickled Pink jewels n’ such by Tammy Brown.
Kershaw County Farmers Market, 906 Broad St., Camden: Saturday only, 8 a.m. - noon -- This great county market is a super site for the Ag + Art Tour each year, and now features so many vendors you will have to come early to get a jump on things. Centrally located in downtown Camden, the market offers a variety of vendors from locally grown/pastured raised meats and produce, to artisanal breads, organic pet treats, dips and dessert mixes, cheesecakes, plants and flowers, grains, jams and jellies, handmade soaps, local honey, crafters, kettle corn, and more. Locally grown Blackberries are now available, and Fresh S.C. peaches will be available for the first time this season. Artists and artisans will include: Guitarist Jeff Clark, Mike Barnum’s Hand Crafter cedar wood pieces, and J’s Bead Glass Creations by Jessica Morris + Make Your Own Creation Station.
Boykin Mill Farms, 73 Boykin Mill Road, Boykin: Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. only -- You may wait and start your tour at 10 a.m., but you can come early to enjoy breakfast and the rest of the day at the historic crossroads of Boykin and Boykin Mill Farms. Relax in a rocker and sip iced tea on the porch of the Boykin Company Grill. Marvel at quaint memorabilia while you sample the special of the day, or savor a big, old-fashioned cheeseburger. You can browse amid the country crafts and memorabilia at the Boykin Company Store. You can visit historic Swift Creek Church, learn about Potter’s Raid on the Boykin Mill in the civil war, see the Boykin Grist Mill, and purchase some good ‘ole Boykin Mill Grits. If you are lucky, you just might spy a Boykin spaniel – the South Carolina state dog. Artisans include Boykin Mill Grillers with delicious foods at the grill and The Boykin Broom Store where brooms by Susie are made the old-fashioned way
