A Day in the Country Farm, Barn & Ag Tour
Come see the behind-the-scenes workings of agricultural sites in the I&M Canal National Heritage Area while discovering the rich history of our region. Hop in the car for this self-guided driving tour that will enable you to explore our area’s barns, livestock, food providers and curiosities in a unique, family-friendly event.
Ag Tour Details
On this one-day tour of ag sites around Channahon, Minooka, Newark, Millington and Sheridan, you’ll have rare, behind-the-scenes access to sites like a pumpkin farm, centennial barn, dairy farm, museums and local food and flower producers that tell the region’s stories. You’ll also have opportunities to view historical and modern-day farm implements, see live demonstrations and browse ag-related products for sale. All along, you’ll discover the area’s history, architectural elements of the properties and what it means to be a farmer in the 21st century.
This is a self-guided, driving tour that includes nine locations. Purchase your tickets online ($25 for adults, kids under 17 FREE) and check in with your ticket receipt at either the Dollinger Family Farm (the southeastern-most stop: 7420 E. Hansel Road, Channahon) or The Farmacy Farmstand, LLC (the northwestern-most stop: 7260 Oakbrook Road, Newark). At these check-in stops, you will receive wristbands that will enable you to gain entry to the sites. A tour site map will also be provided. The event will occur rain or shine. Sorry, no dogs allowed on the tour.
Come explore these sites (organized from southeast to northwest)…
1) DOLLINGER FAMILY FARM – WRISTBAND PICK-UP SITE
If you haven’t already, be sure to pick up your wristbands and map. Then explore this working pumpkin farm where you’ll find an 1800s-era Mule Barn (which was used by the I&M Canal to change out mule teams pulling boats along the canal), Rutherford’s Tavern (which offered food and lodging in the 1800s), the site of the Milk Inn (which was the county’s first restaurant and post office) and Old Cemetery on the Hill (which houses the remains of a family trying to cross the Illinois River in 1825; only the 12-year-old son survived) along with the Bee Barn and Summer Kitchen.
2) RANCHO REAL SADDLEBREDS
See the inner workings of this horse farm, which cares for, breeds and trains Saddlebred horses. The facilities include a 24-stall barn with an 80 x160 indoor riding area, three outdoor paddocks, a 70 x180 outdoor riding area and a perimeter trail around the property. Plus, they grow all the hay for their horses! Beyond training saddle-type and gaited horses from start to finish, Rancho Real also offers lessons to everyone from beginners to advanced, from tiny tot to adult, and sells and leases horses.
3) FRIESTAD DAIRY FARM
Visit a true honest-to-goodness family dairy farm! Started in 1979 as a solid way to support and raise a family, Friestad Dairy now milks almost 200 Holstein and Holstein/Jersey crossbred cows with three generations and more than 20 Friestads working on the farm. In addition to the extensive (and impressive) dairy operations, the family also farms several acres of corn and soybeans for market as well as corn, alfalfa hay, winter wheat and triticale as feed for the livestock (in turn using the manure as a natural fertilizer). Come learn how they employ crop rotation, cover crops and minimal tillage practices to protect the land they farm.
4) AKRE – FRIESTAD CENTENNIAL BARN
Seize the chance to see INSIDE this scenic barn–just a thing of beauty. Built in the early 1900s, the barn is 62-feet tall at its peak and has housed cows (with a milking parlor), beef cattle and horses. Make sure to investigate and ask about the different technologies used to move hay and food through the space, including grapple hooks, hay elevators, conveyors and self-feeders. In later years, the hay loft even had a full basketball court–though the ability to play was dependent on how much hay was being stored at the time!
5) FERN DELL MUSEUM
Step through the doors and embark on a journey to the region’s past. Notable exhibits are a model of Midland Railroad (which had the distinction of being the shortest railroad in the country, stretching only 2 miles–from Newark to Millington), an old player piano, a replica post office counter, a wide range of memorabilia and historic pictures and a collection of Newark Fourth of July buttons, designed by art students at the local high school.
6) HOMEGROWN MEAT MARKET & ICE CREAM SHOP
Uncover the secret behind this Newark market’s fresh meats, cheeses, eggs and small batch ice cream (ok, spoiler alert, the owners run multi-generation, family farms that offer the bounty of their farms direct to consumers like you, plus they partner with other farms in the area). Come learn the story behind the foods in their shop (such as how they are grown and harvested), the advantages of knowing your local producers and how supporting your local producers benefits your community. Consider bringing a small cooler with you, so you can take home some of their delicious, farm-fresh offerings!
7) NORSK MUSEUM
Discover the story of Norway, IL–the nation’s first permanent Norwegian settlement in the United States–through this regional museum. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about Cleng Peerson who found pristine prairie along the Fox River in 1833 and returned with other Norwegians to settle what would become Norway, IL. The museum houses traditional Norwegian arts and crafts, pioneer-life artifacts, historical displays and an exhibit on Viking heritage. The building itself was built in the late 1800s and is the oldest Norwegian Lutheran Church in the U.S.
8) MILLINGTON MUSEUM
Explore the history of Millington (born Milford and also once called Mellington) at this museum housed in the town’s old 1919-built school building. Exhibits include a recreation of the Millington Post Office, stories about the people, the history of and artifacts from the Midland Railroad, memorabilia dating back to the Civil War era and more.
9) THE FARMACY FARMSTAND LLC – WRISTBAND PICK-UP SITE
If you haven’t already, pick up your wristbands and map. Then, check out this delightful “farmacy.” After growing up on a farm, owner Pearl Carpenter went out into the world and discovered she was allergic to the preservatives and chemicals found in commercial foods. She created this gardening business and farmstand to both sell farm fresh produce and provide insights on how people can grow their own gardens. The “social space” on the property provides a spot for kids to run around and play, you to enjoy a picnic and a free little lending library. She also regularly programs events, including kid story times, garden yoga, u-pick flowers from the gardens and craft and garden classes.
For more information, contact us at (815) 220-1848 or lasalle@iandmcanal.org