Get out to a Fond du Lac area farm with these 5 events, from sunflower visits to a historic art walk

Daphne Lemke, Fond du Lac Reporter
·4 min read

FOND DU LAC – The local countryside is not to be overlooked when searching for things to do this summer.

Fond du Lac's farming industry helped shape the county, and now, many farms are open to the public for tours or events, whether to share where the area's food comes from, raise money for local organizations or showcase local artisans.

Here are five opportunities to interact with Fond du Lac-area farms the rest of this summer.

1. 'Sunflowers Taking Flight' starts soon at Kelley Country Creamery

While Kelley Country Creamery, W5215 County B, is a popular stop for a farmside ice cream treat, it's also a midsummer attraction for the 2 acres of sunflowers that grow at the farm.

Every year, the Kelley family grows the sunflowers to honor veterans, donating all proceeds from each "Sunflowers Taking Flight" event to the Northeast Wisconsin “Old Glory Honor Flights” organization.

Suggested cash-only donations include $3 to enter the sunflower field, $10 for a five-sunflower bouquet, $15 for a T-shirt and $20 for a hat.

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The dates are subject to the sunflowers' growth, but as of early July, the event will take place July 24 to Aug. 6. Visit the Kelley Country Creamery Facebook page for updates.

Dairy cows at Oak Lawn Farm graze in the pasture near a field of sunflowers at Kelley Country Creamery.
Dairy cows at Oak Lawn Farm graze in the pasture near a field of sunflowers at Kelley Country Creamery.

Outside of the sunflowers, the ice cream shop is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and starting July 21, the Super Cub Bush Planes will fly in nightly at around 7 p.m. until July 24.

2. Visit a vintage farm and shop at the Burdocks and Rust Garden Art Stroll

Historical farmstead Burdocks and Rust, W8166 Korth Road in Van Dyne, will host its Garden Art Stroll July 28-30, including a tour of the restored farmhouse from owners Bob and Julie Kissinger.

The grounds and gardens will open for exploring, while local artists set up in the old buildings, inviting attendees to admire, buy and talk about their craft.

Burdocks and Rust, established in 2018. Home to historic buildings and beautiful gardens. Refurbished by Bob and Julie Kissinger.
Burdocks and Rust, established in 2018. Home to historic buildings and beautiful gardens. Refurbished by Bob and Julie Kissinger.

Types of art will include glass sculptures, garden decorations, jewelry, notecards, watercolor pencil art and gourd pottery.

Admission is free, but donations are welcome, benefiting the Salvation Army of Fond du Lac and the Fond du Lac County and Rosendale historical societies.

The event will be open 1-7 p.m. July 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 29 and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 30.

3. La Clare Creamery is abundant with opportunities to meet the goats

La Clare Creamery, W2994 County HH, has several opportunities throughout the summer to check out the farm and even meet the goats.

The Visitor Center is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays for self-guided tours with a behind-the-scenes look at the cheesemaking process, while the cafe and Cheese Shoppe are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

The 110-year-old wooden goat climbing tower from the Watertown farm of Jim Ostrom's mother, is the centerpiece of the courtyard that features a garden center, animal displays, cheese sales, outdoor shopping areas and an inviting place for visitors to rest and relax.
The 110-year-old wooden goat climbing tower from the Watertown farm of Jim Ostrom's mother, is the centerpiece of the courtyard that features a garden center, animal displays, cheese sales, outdoor shopping areas and an inviting place for visitors to rest and relax.

On Sundays, local vendors set up shop for the Artisan Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through August, offering a variety of locally grown or handmade goods.

Recurring events include goat yoga, bottle-feeding baby goats and Picnic with the Kids, where the $15 admission includes a box lunch and time to hold the baby goats and learn about Wisconsin's dairy goat industry.

In celebration of the nearby EAA AirVenture, the creamery will host free baby goat petting July 25 and 27, during which the goats will be dressed as pilots.

The garden center at LaClare Family Creamery.
The garden center at LaClare Family Creamery.

The garden center, which offers annual and perennial flowers, vegetables, succulents, herbs, decorations and other gardening finds, is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through September.

For more information on La Clare Creamery and specific events, visit laclarefamilycreamery.com.

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4. Cristo Rey Ranch's Adventures on the Farm offers kids' activities, food trucks

Cristo Rey Ranch, N8114 County WW in Mt. Calvary, will host its annual Adventures on the Farm event starting at 11 a.m. Aug. 20.

For the kids, a $5 hand stamp grants access to train rides, a bouncy house, a critters exhibit, pony rides, an obstacle course, the petting zoo and the horse program. There will also be face painting and hay wagon rides.

Country artist Brent Bel will provide live music, while Street Grub and Terra Verde food trucks will provide refreshments, alongside A&W root beer floats.

5. The Little Farmer will open in August with first apple harvest

As apple season approaches, The Little Farmer, N9438 U.S. 151, is getting ready to open for the season in August.

The Applehouse carries the season's apples, baked goods, caramel and kitchen-related gifts, while the Farmhouse offers freshly brewed coffee and an upstairs gift shop.

A playground and a corn maze offer activities for kids, while the barnyard and chicken truck offer opportunities to meet the animals.

Opening day is yet to be announced, dependent on the first apple harvest. For updates, visit The Little Farmer LLC Facebook page.

Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac area farms welcome visitors with summer events