Agriculture Apple Orchard & Pumpkin Patch Tours
In the small town of Willcox, warm days and cool nights are just right for fruit and vegetable growing. Here in the heart of Southeastern Arizona farm country, at an elevation of 4,300 ft., Apple Annie's Orchard and Apple Annie's Produce & Pumpkins are premier places for you-pick-it produce and homemade baked goods. Since 1986, Apple Annie's has specialized in growing delicious tree-ripened apples, peaches, pears, and Asian pears, as well as preparing and shipping homemade pies, apple bread, and fresh-pressed apple cider. A visit to Apple Annie's makes a great day trip for groups of all ages. Choose from activities including: chatting with "Apple Annie" or "Farmer John" about life at the orchard; picking your own tree-ripened fruit; savoring apple pie, apple cider, or other orchard delectables; enjoying a hayride through the orchard.
Cost: $7/person with lunch included. Admission for drivers and director is complimentary. Donations accepted for tour only. Tours operate July 28-Nov. 1.
Attendees: 15 min./100 max.
Length: 2 hours
Sample Menu: Apple-smoked beef burger, beans, and chips; apple pie and ice cream; apple cider, and coffee. (All seating is outside.)
Contact: Anne HolcombApple Annie's Orchard 2081 W. Hardy Rd., Willcox, AZ 85643,
520-384-2084
apples@appleannies.com, www.appleannies.com
Tiptoe Through The Tomatoes: Eurofresh Tomato Greenhouse Tour
Eurofresh Farms, located in Willcox, Arizona, is the leading year-round producer and marketer of greenhouse tomatoes in the U.S. Eurofresh Farms has implemented computerized climate systems, which control critical growing parameters like temperature, humidity, light, irrigation, ventilation, and carbon dioxide levels within the greenhouse. This highly controlled growing environment, in conjunction with the ideal growing conditions in Southern Arizona, allows Eurofresh Farms to generate consistent yields of high-quality tomatoes throughout the year. Tour the facility and learn every step of Eurofresh's process that produces outstanding varieties of tomatoes, and taste many of the varieties that are grown in the greenhouses.
Cost: Free
Attendees: 10 min./25 max.
Length: 11⁄2 hours
Contact: Amy Whitfield
Eurofresh Farms 26050 S. Eurofresh Ave., Willcox, AZ 85643, 520-384-4621 www.eurofresh.com
Drink in the Views: Wine Tasting at Sonoita Vineyards
Enjoy the rolling grasslands of Sonoita Vineyards and taste delicious wines from vineyards that thrive at Sonoita's 5,000-ft. elevation. Take a winery tour that focuses on all aspects of winemaking and the importance of the vineyards, and sip different wines in a souvenir glass. The winery also offers various options for food paired with the wine tastings.
Cost: $7.50/person for tour and tasting, additional charge for any appetizers included with tasting. $25/person for catered lunch, tour, tasting.
Attendees: 10 min./no max.
Length: 1 hour (allow additional time for lunch)
Reservations: Winery tour and tasting available 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily except for major holidays.
Sample Menu: Grilled chicken ratatouille with sautéed vegetables, salad, and fresh fruit; chef's choice of bread.
Special Instructions: The first option is a limited selection of cheeses, sausages, and sometimes chocolate. A catered formal lunch can also be served on the balcony overlooking the vineyards, with a spectacular mountain view. You can also bring your own meal.
Contact: Yvonne Downs
Sonoita Vineyards HC1 Box 33, Elgin, AZ 85611, 520-455-5893
www.sonoitavineyards.com
 Working Sheep Ranch Tour
Experience firsthand the operations of a sheep ranch specializing in the Dorper breed at the Karoo Genetics sheep ranch. This busy sheep ranch near Tucson is named after the semiarid region of South Africa that is the birthplace of Dorper sheep and Boer goats. The tour begins with an official greeting by Jean and Joda, the ranch's working dogs. Later on they will be the stars of the show, demonstrating how they maneuver the sheep within pens and out to pasture. This tour covers everything-from the food grown on the ranch to sustain the sheep to the breeding programs and the financial and business aspects of the operation. Visitors always are encouraged to interact with the environment and the sheep throughout the tour.
Cost: $5/person suggested donation
Attendees: 1 min./80 max.
Length: 11⁄2 hours
Contact: Christo Visser
Karoo Genetics 6499 N. Fort Grant Rd., Willcox, AZ 85643, 520-390-8661, 520-384-1749, karoogenetics@cox.net, www.karoogenetics.com
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