Circle Farm tour daytrip allows visitors to play tourist in their own back yard

I had the pleasure of meeting with the director of the Circle Farm Tours program in the community of Langley, and became aware of the benefits for business owners, farmers and community members from recognizing the treasures in our own back yards. 

Krause Berry Farms in Langley, B.C.

The Circle Farm tours operate in a number of communities including Langley, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Abbotsford, Agassiz, Harrison Mills, and Chilliwack.

A Circle Farm Tour is basically a road map that directs you to a variety of specialty farm-gate vendors, open air markets, charming eateries, heritage sites, fairs, and other special events. There’s a brochure and map for each participating community.

The tours are self-guided, meaning that you travel in your own car, at your own pace, when it suits you. Each community brochure/map directs you to about 12 venues. All are related in some way to agriculture and the area’s farming heritage.

Depending on where you live, what your interests are, and how much time you have, you build your own itinerary for a day trip or full vacation. For each community, there’s a list of special events, and accommodation options along the route.

I decided to check out Krause Berry Farms as one of my initial visits to learn more about the businesses the support the Circle Farm Tour system. 

The Krause Berry Farms' beautiful property and Farm Market buildings impressed me a lot. I was impressed from the moment I spotted the big, brilliantly painted blue buildings along the fields of berries and accessed by a well thought out and well directed parking lot that makes parking an easy task for everyone arriving whether on a motorcycle, car, truck or bus.

The property is spotless, and is an obvious source of pride not only for the management, but employees who seemed to cheerfully go about their business of either serving delicious foods such as corn pizza, delectable treats such as grilled paninis, fresh homemade fudge, overflowing berry pies, fresh organic produce and fruit, or savoury, fresh homemade lemonade.

Fresh produce at Krause Berry Farms.

There was something for everyone in the way of tempting treats to follow up a day or afternoon of hanging out on the farm taking in the beautiful sensations of the beautiful gardens, listening to the musical talents of the local artist entertaining folks while they sat on the patio or in the garden to enjoy their meals.

A number of chuck wagons were also available as a fun way for a family to enjoy their meal. A playground filled with real sand made it easy to entertain the younger ones while the adults were taking their time shopping in the marketplace for items ranging from fun kitchen gadgets to sauces, preserves, dressings, wines and much much more.

As with most of the circle farm tour opportunities, Krause Berry Farm offered visitors a firsthand view of how the pies and donuts are made. Handfuls of berries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries filled pie crust after pie crust all done with loving hands of those that obviously took pride and satisfaction in their work.

I felt a real sense of enjoyment and appreciation from each of the employee’s that easily smiled and graciously greeted all of the visitors that arrived at the farm.

Although many of the fruits are seasonal, Krause Berry Farm is definitely a year round place to visit and take family and friends to.

The summer months seem like their busiest time with many activities for everyone to enjoy. From enjoying music while indulging in a snack or full meal, enjoying some ‘me’ time in the manicured and fragrant gardens, dining in chuck wagons just for fun, or bending over in the fields gathering your own berries. You can even go for a ride on the property in a horse and buggy just for something completely different to do.

Healthy and delicious grilled veggie paninis.

I would definitely recommend it as your local stop for fresh garden produce, delectable corn pizza pies, and of course a tasty treat of yummy fudge. I’ve resisted fudge for years as an indulgence, but when I was at Krause Berry Farms I just had to say ‘yes’ to a little morsel of homemade heaven. I wasn’t disappointed and you won’t be either!

Although the summer has wound down and we’ve quickly approached fall, Krause Berry Farm is still open and definitely worth spending some time at. Check their website for current hours and make sure you come and check out the pumpkins that I saw growing on my last visit there. 

Next summer, I’d urge you to consider taking any on hand visitors you have staying with you. This is a grand way to impress them with a tasty experience, a view of the beautiful community of Langley and the brilliance of business owners who truly take a great deal of pride in the work that they do. It’s definitely one of the best farm experiences I’ve ever had.

As we get well underway into the fall season there are still plenty of things to see and do through a variety of the local contributors to the Circle Farm Tour. The tours showcase a number of options from dairy, cheese, and chicken farms, to a number of wineries, historical sites, nurseries, artisan shops, and other various markets.

The September 16^th BBQ on the bypass is taking place in Langley. From what I hear, it’s a definite must see! Check it all out at the Circle Farm Tours.