A stretch of Lake Michigan shore from South Haven to Saugatuck peppered with a grand variety of agritourism destinations is celebrating its 14th year as a Michigan trailway offering residents and visitors alike with the opportunity to hit the farms, orchards and wineries of Michigan’s Great Southwest for a host of events, products and fun.
Called Lakeshore Harvest Country, the group is celebrating 14 years on the map drawing people to the farms of the region for the bounty of nature that thrives in our area.
The agritourism trail has seen an increase in the number of farms & wineries participating this year along the trail. They are all located between South Haven and Saugatuck along the Lake Michigan shore. The farms and wineries come in all sizes and are operated by families that have a love for what they’re doing. All of the members of the trail are now open, however due to Covid-19, they will also encourage you to please wear a mask and to practice social distancing.
The 2020 tour guide/map can be found at local businesses, tourism chambers and bureaus or you can download it on their website at this link: http://www.lakeshoreharvestcountry.com
The tour guide provides what the members have to offer, identifies their locations, and shares their individual hours of operation.
Beginning this month, there is a large variety of fruits, vegetables, ciders, wines, cheeses, herbs, flowers, pottery, and more being offered along the trail. Some of the farms also offer U-Pick blueberries, cherries, apples, raspberries and peaches. Additionally, kids can see farm animals such as chickens, ducks, goats, horses and cows. Other products for sale include pure honey and maple syrup, free-range eggs and much more. If you really have your heart set on a certain product, you might want to call ahead to verify product availability and hours.
If the family is looking for a little fun and adventure this growing season, there is an “Online” Farm Scavenger Hunt, which began on July 1st and runs to October 31st on the website. The Lakeshore Harvest Country’s Farm Scavenger Hunt will send you down country roads leading to some of the area’s most picturesque farms, not to mention some of the freshest locally grown fruits and vegetables around, complete with an opportunity to win prizes.
2020 Members include the following:
- Barden’s Farm Markets
- Brush Farms
- Bumbleberry Acres
- Cogdal Vineyards
- Dee’s Lakeshore Farm
- Evergreen Lane Creamery
- Fenn Valley Vineyards & Winery
- Khnemu Studio on Fernwood Farm
- Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum
- McIntosh Apple Orchards & Winery
- Michigan Wine Company
- Modales Winery
- Overhiser Orchards
- Pleasant Hill Farm
- Riverbend Raspberries
- Root
- Salt of the Earth
- The Sugarhouse at Ridley Family Sugar Farm
- Summerhouse Lavender Farm
- Van Til’s Greenhouse
- Virtue Cider
- Waypost Brewing Co.
