Learn about life on the farm at Art + Ag Tour

Saturday and Sunday, art and agriculture will come together in a special way.

Designated Midlands farms, farmer’s markets and studios throughout Fairfield and Kershaw counties will not only be open for tours, but will have artists and artisans on hand to showcase their works and demonstrate their talents.

The tours are part of the statewide Art + Ag Tours, a monthlong celebration of creativity, farming, rural life, music and local food that runs in different counties every weekend in June.

In Fairfield County, ForeverMore Farm’s calves, ferrets, chickens and exotic Miniature Zebu cows and Miniature Pygmy Dwarf goats will be happy to say hello; there also will be painting demonstrations and a dulcimer concert. Visitors to Gypsy Wind Farm can meet long-haired Mangalista pigs and Barbados Blackbelly Sheep, then visit a working beehive and watch corn as its ground into grits. Triple J Farm will be hosting riding demonstrations including free-style riding to music.

In Kershaw County, you can learn how to make a cornhusk doll at Old McCaskill’s Farm; afterwards, grab a delicious farm-to- table lunch, visit with goats and lambs, and shop for art, handcrafted soap, pottery and leather works. Pear Tree Farm will be brimming with artisans including Sallie Porth of Sallie’s Greatest Jams (it’s one of Oprah’s favorites), painters and fabric artists.

Bring a cooler: in both counties, farms will be selling produce, meats, cheeses, eggs and other items.

Tours are self-guided, and farms are open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

For a map, list of participating artisans and markets, full schedule, demonstration times and more information, visit agandarttour.com.

Katie McElveen, Special to The State

This story was originally published June 17, 2016 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Learn about life on the farm at Art + Ag Tour."