We’re in Kansas, so we have some strong roots in agriculture.
Don’t just take it from us. See what the local experts have to say in the Unmistakably Lawrence Blog…
Farms for Every Season
Apples so delicious and red, you would swear they’re from a fairytale. Asparagus poking out of the ground like an alien plant. Lavender so intoxicating that you’ll have a relaxed aromatherapy buzz for days after smelling it. Lawrence’s local farms have all of that, plus some of the nicest farmers you’ll ever Read More …
Farmers Markets
We bring as much of the farm to the city as we can for our Downtown Lawrence Farmers Markets. There is a Saturday market from April to November at 824 New Hampshire Street and a Tuesday market from May to October at 707 Vermont Street.
Cottin’s Hardware hosts a Farmers Market on Thursdays, 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. in their back parking lot from May to September. From October to April the hours are 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Several other farmers markets throughout the county offer locally produced goods. Check out the Farmers Markets of Kaw Valley.
Farms
Each fall, the annual Kaw Valley Farm Tour gives you the opportunity to visit local farms and meet the farmers. Load up the car and for $10 per carload, you can pick from the list of participating farms and wineries. Farmers will give you a guided tour, tell you about their farm practices and you can also buy their products. From alpacas to zucchini and everything in between, check out where your food comes from.
Washington Creek Lavender opens on Mother’s Day, Wednesdays through Sundays. Their store offers organic products that are grown, handmade, and hand-painted in Lawrence. Or choose a bench and sit outside and take in the soothing smell of lavender.
Pendleton’s Kaw Valley Country Market has the largest single patch of asparagus in the state. You can pick your own, or check out their diverse assortment of vegetables, bedding plants, cut flowers and other crops.
Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch is a working farm with a 30-acre pumpkin patch. Located at 1791 N. 1500 Road, it’s the place to go, September – October for a hay maze or a straw stomp. A hayride will get you to the field to select from more than 100 varieties of pumpkins, for that perfect jack-o-lantern or pie.
Simple Living Country Store – at Coal Creek Farm is open on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. or by appointment. A herd of alpacas will greet you at the gate. (You’ll have their undivided attention if you feed them treats.) This little store-on-the-farm offers freshly baked bread, farm-fresh eggs, alpaca yarn and other handmade products, including locally handcrafted pottery. Check out their classes for knitting or baking or come by for a free sample of something tasty they’ve made.
When the snow flies and its beginning to look a lot like Christmas, you can select and cut your own Christmas tree at Strawberry Hill Christmas Tree Farm. They’re open Thanksgiving until December 23rd, or until they sell out. If you’re here for the holidays, you can take part in the local tradition of hayrides and warm spiced cider and a look around the shop at the beautiful wreaths, mantelpieces, crafts, and gifts.
Wineries
BlueJacket Crossing Vineyard and Winery has tasting room hours and wine pairing dinners. The vineyard, started in 2002, now covers eight acres in Eudora, Kansas, four miles east of Lawrence. Their label features the artwork of Native American artist Frent Learned, an impressionist painter from Oklahoma.
Davenport Orchards and Winery, located between Lawrence and Eudora, began making wine commercially in 1997. Their intent is to “make good wine from Kansas-grown fruit, with minimal intervention, to allow the wine to express itself freely.” Interested in an opportunity to experience the journey grapes make from vine to wine? Davenport Winery invites volunteers.
Crescent Moon Winery has a delightful tasting room which provides a venue for sampling wines and enjoying the picturesque country views. Stroll through the magnificent vineyards, sample superb wines, or simply sit for a while on the patio and take in the magnificent vantage point of the valley. They are open Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. and by appointment.
Located in southeast Douglas County, Haven Pointe Winery reflects the spirit of the Kansas River (“Kaw”) Valley – rustic, natural, and bold. Haven Pointe Winery produces both red and white hybrid varietal wines, fruit wine as well as a variety of meads. Each of their wines features Kansas grapes, fruits and/or honey.
