Kenton and the surrounding counties are growing; woodlands, farms and pastures are being turned into subdivisions. Many newer residents are not aware of the area’s agricultural heritage, nor do they know that much farming still occurs here. Fewer and fewer children or their parents understand where their food comes from, and many have never been to a farm. 

In an effort to connect more residents with both the county’s agriculture and its agricultural heritage, Kenton County Extension’s Farm Tour is held annually on the 3^rd Saturday of September.  

The Farm Tour enable visitors to see 15-20 farms and agricultural businesses throughout the county.  All locations offer free events and tours. This year, hosts ranged from wineries to computer-operated dairies to pumpkin and vegetable growers, alpacas raised to make craft fibers, and more. 

Kenton Extension’s Outdoor Education Center is also a stop on the tour; this year almost 200 people came through the gardens. Its goal is to raise awareness of Extension, and to educate the public about many aspects of Horticulture.  Exhibits and tours in the past several years have featured tomato and pepper tastings, pawpaw displays with fresh fruit, Master-Gardener-led walks through the vegetable gardens, prairie meadow, Monarch waystation and native tree plantings. Each year the gardens have different themes, so the tours and exhibits are never quite the same.   This year the theme was Herb Gardens, with more than 30 kinds of herbs.  Kentucky State University came and gave away pawpaw ice cream along with pawpaw educational materials; visitors then went out to he gardens to see actual pawpaw trees. There was an ‘Ask a Master Gardener’ table; information on pollinators, soil testing, home vegetable production, and other topics; free garden seeds were given out.  Residents with additional questions left names and contact information and received follow-up to their concerns.

Since Farm Tour is now a county tradition, some people come for the first time, but many residents return year after year.  Not only are Kenton County people enjoying it, but this fall, we noted ‘repeat customers’ from several counties to the north and south, and from at least 50 miles away.  Adults take time to reminisce; parents and grandparents bring children to show them what farms are and where their food originates; all enjoy being outdoors in the fall. Many commented that the demonstration gardens were their favorite stop, and how much they appreciate what extension does.