FARMS | ANIMAL PERFORMERS | WINERY | TOURS
This is so much more than just a beach destination. When you need a break from sun and sand, there are several agritourism treasures to explore, offering entertainment and education for curious minds of all ages. Check out the Gulf Coast AgVentures attractions and tours or explore our agritourism offerings one by one from the list below.
Manatee County Agricultural Museum
The Manatee County Agricultural Museum is located within the Palmetto Historical Park and features commodities, equipment, tools, photographs, and artwork that reflect the rich agricultural heritage of Manatee County. Special events and exhibits are scheduled frequently. Individuals and small groups are welcome for self-guided visits. Reservations are necessary for guided group tours. Children’s programming is also available on a reservation basis. Admission is free.www.manateeclerk.com/historical/AgMuseum
Crowley Museum & Nature Center
Referred to as the "Jewel on the Myakka." Crowley Museum & Nature Center (CMNC) is a 190-acre wildlife sanctuary and Florida pioneer history museum on the Myakka River. The philosophy of the CMNC is to facilitate the enjoyment and understanding of our natural and cultural resources as relevant to Southwest Florida habitats, promote environmental awareness and foster responsible stewardship.CMNC consists of a museum of pioneer history complete with a pioneer cabin, blacksmith shop, working sugar cane mill, and the restored Tatum House.
www.cmncfl.org
Florida Native Plants Nursery
Take a walk around this native plant environment and experience the butterflies, honeybees, birds and other wildlife of Florida. Learn how to grow native plants from seeds and cuttings. See an environmentally friendly edible garden and pick up some edibles for your own garden. They have Pygmy goats, Sumatran chickens, three Florida cracker cows, and a honeybee box.www.floridanativeplants.com
FARMS
Dakin Dairy Farms
Dakin Dairy Farms is the only milk bottler in Florida that can offer the rare treat of experiencing fresh milk produced and bottled right on their own “sustainable” farm. Farm tours available from the fall to spring. Come visit and learn about the benefits of an all natural fresh grass diet which makes their milk so noticeably delicious. Watch milk flow from the cow to the bottle.
www.dakindairyfarms.com
www.dakindairyfarms.com
Mixon Fruit Farms
Highlighted on the Travel Channel, Mixons has become a favorite attraction. Visitors can see how a citrus farm works, with a working packing house, juice processing and bottling room. Shop in the gift shop and sample some of Florida’s best wines, homemade fudge, and Orange Swirl ice cream. Step outside and hop on the tram for a ride through the orange grove and see our Wildlife Rescue. Take a stroll through the Butterfly Garden Maze and wonder out to the beautiful pavilion, gazebo, pond, waterfall and tropical gardens.
www.mixon.com
www.hunsaderfarms.com
www.gamblecreekfarm.org
Hunsader Farms
Hunsaders is family owned and operated since 1967. Kids and adults alike will enjoy visiting this real working farm, with homemade apple cider, a petting farm, and the Farmer’s Wife (old country store, complete with ice cream). This is a great way to spend an ideal day in the country for the entire family. Inside the market is a variety of locally grown produce, homemade jams, jellies, homemade honey and many other goodies.www.hunsaderfarms.com
King Farm & Farm Market
The King Farm is family-owned and operated. They grow a mix of heirloom produce and varieties developed to thrive naturally in the Florida climate and are known for our peaches, blueberries and tomatoes. They work with universities, seed companies and local farmers, testing new seeds and developing environmentally friendly farming practices to grow healthy food in this bioregion. Visit the Farm Market and sample the day’s harvest or contact them to arrange a farm tour.Gamble Creek Farm
Gamble Creek Farm is an organic community farm with fresh produce growing in one-acre in hydroponic stacks and three acres in the field. A training ground for new farmers, the farm is a community supported agriculture (CSA) operation where the community buys shares of produce. For visitors, the farm offers guided tours each week during the season. You will see our hydroponic stacks, production fields, distribution area and more. They also have a farm stand that is open to the public.www.gamblecreekfarm.org
Geraldson Community Farm
Geraldson Community Farms is an organic community farm that grows everything from cucumbers and eggplant to arugula and leeks. The farm is a community supported agriculture (CSA) operation. For visitors, they offer guided tours during season and a farm stand that is open to the public.. You’ll see our production fields, greenhouse, distribution area, composting and more.www.geraldsoncommunityfarm.org
www.hydrotaste.com
Witness the beauty and grace of the Original Lipizzan Stallions from Austria. See the white Lipizzans practice at the Hermann Training Grounds. Founded in the 16th century for the Hapsburg Royal family of Austria, the Royal Lipizzans are a rare and aristocratic breed of horses. Colonel Hermann, whose ancestors aided in the rescue of these animals, maintains a 200-acre ranch here to ensure the propagation of the breed. The ranch offers winter shows and training sessions, week-long ranch stays, private riding lessons, and weddings.
www.hlipizzans.com
Big Cat Habitat is a non-profit safe haven for big cats, bears, and other animals in need and was founded by Kay Rosaire, who has more than 30 years of experience working with and caring for exotic animals. Their goal is to educate the public by fostering appreciation for animals and stressing the importance of habitat preservation. Open Friday - Sunday, including daily performances.
www.bigcathabitat.org
Hydro Taste
Welcome to the wonderful world of Hydroponic Farming. Hydro Taste is a u-pick farm with more than 150,000 hydroponic plants including strawberries, blueberries, cabbage, corn, and much much more. No bending or kneeling. The farm stand also features all natural smoothies and Boar’s Head sandwiches.www.hydrotaste.com
ANIMAL PERFORMERS
Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions
Witness the beauty and grace of the Original Lipizzan Stallions from Austria. See the white Lipizzans practice at the Hermann Training Grounds. Founded in the 16th century for the Hapsburg Royal family of Austria, the Royal Lipizzans are a rare and aristocratic breed of horses. Colonel Hermann, whose ancestors aided in the rescue of these animals, maintains a 200-acre ranch here to ensure the propagation of the breed. The ranch offers winter shows and training sessions, week-long ranch stays, private riding lessons, and weddings.www.hlipizzans.com
Big Cat Habitat
Big Cat Habitat is a non-profit safe haven for big cats, bears, and other animals in need and was founded by Kay Rosaire, who has more than 30 years of experience working with and caring for exotic animals. Their goal is to educate the public by fostering appreciation for animals and stressing the importance of habitat preservation. Open Friday - Sunday, including daily performances.www.bigcathabitat.org
Bearadise Ranch
A unique attraction in a natural Florida setting. Bearadise Ranch is home to the famous Welde family bears. Established in 1926 to educate and generate public awareness for habitat preservation and conservation for all bear species. Educational presentations are part of the tour offering plenty of photographic opportunities for the nature lover or bear enthusiast. A minimum donation is required. Private bear viewing tours by reservations only. Seasonal operation.www.bearadiseranch.com
Rosaire's Riding Academy & Pony Rides
Rosaire's offers quality riding lessons for children and adults at all levels with master trainer and wonderful horses backed by 35 years of experience. Excellent summer day camp program with all adult staff. They offer pony rides and a petting zoo for parties or events and live animal shows.www.rideapony.com
WINERIES
Rosa Fiorelli Winery
Rosa Fiorelli Winery was established in 1998 and is a family-owned and operated business, located just south of Lake Manatee, in the rolling hills of eastern Manatee County. Rosa and her husband Antonio moved to this area from Casteldaccia, Sicily. The Fiorellis have not only won awards at state levels, but have won on international levels as well. Each bottle is carefully filled with the recipe that Mr. Fiorelli himself crafted. Recently expanded to 10 acres. Free wine tasting. www.fiorelliwinery.com
TOURS
Gulf Coast Florida Limousine
Gulf Coast Florida Limo offers packaged tours as well as individually designed itineraries. With a diverse fleet of vehicles, they can provide transportation from one (1) up to twenty (20) passengers. Their "Daycation" tours feature visits to all the members of Gulf Coast AgVentures.
www.gulfcoastfloridalimo.com
