Take time to getaway to the beautiful rolling hills of Appalachia Ohio and enjoy quality experiences in art, local food, and agriculture in those little, out-of-the-way places that beg to be discovered. You will be able to have conversations with your farmers, watch artists in action and purchase their works, and learn more about rural life.

By joining us on the all inclusive weekend Art and Farm Tour you will be guided throughout Athens County to visit four local artists at their studios and tour three farms to learn about their restorative agriculture practices. In addition, a Farm to Table breakfast will be prepared for you, a locally sourced picnic for lunch and dinner at Shade Winery on Saturday. On Sunday a local spread of products produced from the three farms we visit throughout the weekend will be served as an early afternoon brunch.

This experience includes learning and lodging on a working farm, Woodland Ridge Farm and Learning Center and is ideal for travelers who are seeking a “back to nature” experience. Staying in the modern yet cozy solar powered guesthouse for the weekend provides a peaceful retreat.

Weekend Itinerary:

Friday

• Guests check into Woodland Ridge to get settled for the weekend.
• Enjoy the large shady deck with hot tub and grill.
• Walk around the farm to meet the plants and animals waiting to greet you.
• Gather around the Bonfire as Bonnie Proudfoot provides a reading of her award winning novel, Goshen Road.

Saturday

• Start the day with a homegrown breakfast at Woodland Ridge and a morning nature walk around the farm.
• We will begin at the Shade Community Center for a day of art, exploration, community, and authentic experiences.
• Arrive at Susie Abramovitz’s art studio, Rock Riffle Pottery to watch Susie’s clay throwing demonstration.
• Meet the farmers at Integration Acres for a guided tour of their farm and enjoy a locally sourced picnic produced by Village Bakery.
• Enjoy a garden tour with Sue Zano and see the behind the scenes of a fine wood furniture shop, Windsor Works.
• The day will end with dinner reservations at Shade Winery.

Sunday

• The bus will arrive at Woodland Ridge to head out to Companion Plants, an internationally recognized herb nursery, for a tour of their green houses and growing operation.
• Right down the road we will visit Betsy and Kait who have worked together in framing for over 20 years at the Art Park Design And Custom Framing studio and gallery
• The next stop will be Creekside Farm, where we will enjoy a locally sourced brunch grown and produced on sight and from neighboring farms. Creekside Farm is an Animal Welfare Approved farm run by a husband and wife team. We’ll have a chance to see the goats and hear about their operation.
• The last stop of the day will be at Bonnie Proudfoot’s glass studio for a chance to get a glimpse into her creative space.
• The tour will end back at Woodland Ridge.