The colors of the country come alive on crisp autumn afternoons.
Bushels of apples, from Pink Lady to Ida Red to Yellow Delicious and Crimson Crisp, are ready to pick up from locally owned orchards. Pumpkins in all shapes and shades of orange are piled up as area residents look for the perfect gourd for their Halloween jack-o-lantern.
Wind blows through golden dried corn stalks as you search for a way out of a maize maze.
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Fall on the farm is a unique time of year in central Indiana. Throughout Johnson County, local producers are opening up their facilities to help celebrate the season with fresh grown food, homemade goodies, unique animal experiences and other autumnal activities.
This year has been unusual in almost every way. But even as local farms make adjustments to keep people safe during the pandemic, the core of the county’s agritourism remains strong and excited to open up to the community.
“We’re so happy that we’re able to continue this year,” said Amy Kelsay, whose family owns Kelsay Farms. “I hear from so many folks that it’s a tradition, that they do this every fall. For that reason, I’m so glad that the health department worked with us so that we can have a season. It’ll look a little different, but we’re OK with that.”
Kelsay Farms
Details: 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays, noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 25; 6848 N. CR 250E, Whiteland; $10, kids 1 and under free. kelsayfarms.com
What: Fall is always a big time of year at Kelsay Farms, where they open their dairy farm to hundreds of local residents and, during a normal year, thousands of school children on field trips. The fields trips aren’t happening this year, but the farm is still offering a wealth of activities on weekends and during fall break.
Find your way through the 7-acre corn maze designed like farm animals taking part in a Zoom call. Play in the baby barnyard, climb Bale Mountain and get into a game of Human Moosball Foosball. Learn about cows, pigs, goats, chickens and other animals on the farm. Pick up a dairy snack, such as a chocolate or vanilla milkshake or a grilled cheese sandwich. Inside the kids’ corn maze, hear the story of Jack and the Cornstalk, and on Oct. 24, wear your favorite costume for corn maze trick-or-treating.
Whiteland Orchard
Details: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 5559 N. Graham Road, Whiteland; whitelandorchard.com
What: Apples are the name of the game at Whiteland Orchard, which Glenn and Becky Haveman have owned for 45 years. Varieties such as McIntosh, Primer Honeycrisp, Gala and Golden Supreme are all available now, with others coming soon.
But the orchard is known for more than just apples. The Havemans make their own fresh pressed apple cider, feature caramel apples and offer a wide variety of locally grown produce. Their local honey, apple butter, jellies and preserves are all available in the farm store, and the pumpkin patch will be open in October.
The Apple Works
Details: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday; 8157 S. CR 250 W., Trafalgar; apple-works.com
What: Tucked into the hilly country south of Trafalgar, the Apple Works is a picturesque paradise for fall fun. The orchard features more than 50 varieties of apples, as well as pears, melons, blackberries and a wealth of other Indiana produce. People can drive out to the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect gourd.
On the weekends, people can pick up apple dumplings with ice cream, chili dogs or nachos to enjoy on the orchard’s scenic grounds, pond and gardens. Kids can take pony rides or hop on the miniature train, or play in the kids corral. Live music will also be featured every Saturday and Sunday.
Due to the popularity of the Apple Works, particularly during the fall, a series of safety precautions will be in place in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Apples will be sold in the retail store during the week, but on the front porch on weekends. Curbside service will be available at the retail store during the week. People are encouraged to wear masks as well.
Dollie’s Farm
Details: Scarecrow Festival, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Sunday, regular hours 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 3961 N. CR 425 E., Franklin; fb.com/dolliesfarm
What: When Dollie’s Farm opened its public gardens earlier this year, it provided Johnson County residents with a place to go pick fresh lavender, mint, sunflowers and other flowers while enjoying the pastoral nature of rural Franklin. Now that the calendar has transitioned to fall, the farm is pivoting as well. They’ll be hosting their Scarecrow Festival today and Sunday, with a variety of different autumn activities to entertain the whole family.
The Johnson County Antique Machinery Association will have more than 20 historic tractors on display throughout the farm. Fun scarecrows will be set up all over the grounds, and people can pick out pumpkins or locally grown hardy mums. Hayrides, a straw tower, live music and s’mores kits are available, and people can set up mini-photography sessions with Maria McKenzie Photography.
Harvest Adventures at Dougherty Family Farms
Details: 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday; 1 to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 2248 W. CR 500 N., Franklin; fb.com/harvestadventuresatdoughertyfarms
What: The Dougherty family has been farming in Johnson County since the 1850s, but only recently did they venture into agritourism with their Harvest Adventures. In the you-pick pumpkin patch, people can find the ideal canvas for their jack-o-lantern creations. A wealth of unique gourds, from white to green to pink and multicolored, are available for any fall decorating need.
But the farm experience runs deeper than simply picking out pumpkins. The tricky corn maze — admission $5 — will leave you searching for an exit. Children and adults can learn about different farm animals at the petting zoo, and a variety of agricultural activities have been planned to educate people about the role agriculture plays in everyday life.
Waterman Farms
Details: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; 1100 SR 37, Greenwood; $6 weekdays, $8 weekends; watermansfamilyfarm.com
What: The Fall Harvest Festival has been a tradition at Waterman Farms’ southside Indianapolis location for the past 40 years. But a different kind of experience is available at the family’s Greenwood location as well. Take a hayride, scamper around the straw bale playground and take a mini-train ride. Kids can test their skills in the Little Farmer Experience and check out the rides along the Little Tikes Trail.
A milk-can throw, human hamster wheels and petting zoo offer fun for everyone in the family. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes have been grown in the surrounding fields, and a market store allows you to buy produce and decor to ensure your home is ready for fall.
