7 Reasons to Put Chester County’s Ag + Art Tour on Your Summer Calendar

Mark your map for Saturday, June 28 (9 a.m.–2 p.m.) and Sunday, June 29 (1 p.m.–4 p.m.)—that’s when Chester County rolls out hay‑wagon hospitality, artisan pop‑ups, and front‑porch pickers for the 2025 Ag + Art Tour.

1. Largest Free Farm‑and‑Art Tour in the United States

The South Carolina Ag + Art Tour has been completely admission‑free since it began in 2012 and now draws 150,000+ visitors—earning official bragging rights as the nation’s biggest no‑fee farm tour.

2. See Where Your Food Really Comes From

Each stop lets you “see first‑hand where your food comes from,” whether that’s a goat being milked, strawberries ready for picking, or grass‑fed cattle on open pasture.

3. Watch Artists in Action—Right in the Barn Aisle

Potters, painters, fiber artists, and more set up beside feed troughs and hay bales so you can watch the creative process and take home a piece straight from the maker.

4. Built‑In Family Fun

The tour encourages you to “Let your kids enjoy a hay‑ride and barnyard animals” while grown‑ups sample fresh veggies and artisan goods—so everyone gets their kind of adventure.

5. A Hands‑On Lesson in Rural Life

Beyond the food and art, the tour is designed to help visitors “learn more about rural life,” offering a window into Carolina agricultural heritage past and present.

6. Every Dollar Stays Local

Tour guidelines urge guests to “support local” by buying farm‑fresh foods and handmade items—directly fueling small farms, artists, and rural economies year‑round.

7. Easy to Navigate—Map Pins & the Chester Connector

Plan your route with the interactive tour map or book the Chester Connector shuttle for a relaxed, group‑friendly ride between sites.

Farm Planning Guide

City of Chester Agribusiness Center — 111 Columbia St., Chester | Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Explore the lively community garden, take a quick guided walk through the agribusiness site to see sustainable practices up close, and stock up on fresh vegetables and other local eats.

Cotton Hills Farm — 2575 Lowrys Hwy., Chester | Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Climb aboard a wagon for a scenic ride, let kids loose on the sandpit and playground, and load up on peak‑season produce, pasture‑raised meats, eggs, jams, baked treats, fresh‑cut flowers, and hand‑dipped ice cream.

Fishing Creek Creamery — 3694 Fishing Creek Church Rd., Chester | Sat 9 a.m.–2 p.m. & Sun 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
Meet the milking goats (plus plenty of playful kids), sample 15 flavors of handcrafted chèvre, and shop farm‑raised pork, chicken, eggs, goat‑milk soaps, and giftables. Free cheese tastings and a snack bar with hot bites make this a delicious, laid‑back stop.

South Carolina Roots: A Living History Experience — Nitrolee Access Area, 529 Catawba River Rd., Great Falls | Sunday, 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
Travel back to the Revolutionary era with costumed interpreters, hands‑on period demos, history exhibits, and local food. Browse assorted take‑homes and immerse yourself in frontier farm life.

Streeter Heritage Farms — 2483 Great Falls Rd., Blackstock | Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Tour South Carolina’s 2024 Farmer‑of‑the‑Year hog operation, where heritage pigs roam forested pastures, and stock up on premium T‑bone pork chops, bacon, and sausage. Friendly goats, horses, chickens, and ducks add kid‑approved charm.

The Powell Farm — 4531 Cabal Rd., Sharon | Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Step onto a preserved African‑American plantation and ride a guided wagon past the Historic Osborne and Jehu houses, organic gardens, molasses mill, and bee apiary—tasting farm‑fresh bites along the way. Live music, food vendors, and honey souvenirs round out this history‑rich stop.

Watson Farms — 713 Colony Rd., Chester | Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Hop on a hayride to see pasture‑raised cows, pigs, and chickens, then stock up at the farm store on grass‑fed beef, pork, chicken, eggs, honey, and pantry staples.

Wild Hope Farm — 575 Wild Hope Farm Rd., Chester | Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Explore a regenerative, USDA‑certified organic operation, discover how they grow vegetables, flowers, and herbs year‑round, and stock up on fresh produce, farm‑blended teas, and honey.

Know‑Before‑You‑Go Checklist

• Cooler + ice packs (so that you can purchase cheese, raw milk, grass‑fed steaks, etc.)

• Cash for rural stands with spotty cell service

• Closed‑toe shoes—farm lanes are dusty (and goats love shoelaces)

• Sunscreen & hat—shade trees only go so far

Ready to ramble?

Load up the cooler, cue the bluegrass playlist, and aim for Chester County the last weekend in June. Between field‑fresh flavors, barn‑aisle art, and stories told straight from the source, the Ag + Art Tour proves the best way to understand South Carolina is to spend a day wandering its farms. See you down on the gravel roads!