Are you ready for even more great trips to take in the sunflower state? Kansas is full of odds and ends, but mostly, it’s full of farms. Whether the farms around you grow crops, tend cows, or even both, you’re used to seeing them surround you on long drives and any time you leave town. For some of us, town is farms. These 7 out-of-the-ordinary farms are great trips while the weather is agreeable.
Quick reminder: most small farms are open by appointment, so make sure to call ahead and schedule your visit.
1. Ad Astra Alpacas – 168 E 1700 Rd., Baldwil City, Kansas
All of the alpacas at this Kansas farm are named after stars, constellations, or other bodies in space. The farm itself used to be for dairy, but now it’s happily used as an alpaca ranch. Baby alpacas come every year, and the fur sheared off of the larger ones is sold as fiber or products. They truly are the friendliest alpacas you’ll meet.
2. Prairie Lavender Farm – 69 Alpine Ridge Ln., Bennington, Kansas
This small farm produces one of the most beautiful sights and scents out there – lavender. Since 2002, this farm has been growing the purple product, and now grows 12 varieties in over 3000 individual plants. Lavender is a member of the mint family, and the benefits of it vary from calming to antibacterial. Check out their natural products made with their lavender while you’re here, and you might find a new favorite!
3. Alpaca Kingdom – 26560 W 207th St., Spring Hill, Kansas
Another alpaca farm is located in Spring Hill, but this one is full of royalty. The alpacas here are treated the best they can, and the farm uses their wool to make plenty of alpaca products that are three times as warm as any wool you’ve had. Their herd of 25 alpacas are sure to brighten up any day.
4. Grinter Farm – 24154 Stillwell Rd., Lawrence, Kansas
Farming in Kansas doesn’t always mean soybeans and canola, sometimes it means sunflowers! Grinter Farm is an extremely popular place to be when you’re looking for these golden blooms, so don’t be discouraged when you see the long lines. It’s a huge farm that is absolutely stunning every time the light changes. They bloom in late summer, so make sure your plans for the day are ready to go.
5. Fulton Valley Farms – 5079 SW Fulton Rd., Towanda, Kansas
Fulton Valley isn’t a farm full of alpacas, but they do have something you can’t find anywhere else in Kansas. Pet reindeer! It’s a year-round reindeer farm here at Fulton Valley, as well as a wedding venue that makes it twice as easy to get up close and personal with these creatures. Of course, you can also have them bring a reindeer to you instead, if you like. The possibilities are endless.
6. Hedrick’s Exotic Animal Farm – 7910 N Roy L Smith Rd., Nickerson, Kansas
Zebras, camels, and giraffes, Oh My! There’s plenty to see at this roadside farm, especially if you choose to stay the night at their bed and breakfast attached. Tour the farm or stay the night, but don’t be scared to greet the animals in the morning! Others include ostriches, kangaroos, and less exotic creatures as well.
7. Terabithia Dairy Goat Farm – 30984 Bethel Church Rd., Paola, Kansas
Terabithia is a cute little dairy goat farm that spends its time breeding and herding these little cuties and selling their all-natural goat milk products. Milk, cheese, and even soap are just a few of the things you can make with goat milk, but the people at Terabithia will tell you all about it. Stop by if you’re looking to get goats of your own or just the products they create. Every year there’s a farm tour that you can’t miss if you’ve been wanting to see more than just the shop.
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