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More than 75 people took part in the Darke County Days of Harvest Farm Tour sponsored by the Darke County Farm Bureau. The Sept. 27 drive-it-yourself tour took visitors to six stops including Brumbaugh Fruit Farm and Orchard, Downing Fruit Farms, Wuebker Farms, Stucke Beef and Egg, The Winery at Versailles and Camelot Farms of Versailles.

At Brumbaugh Fruit Farm and Orchard, owned by Winston and Jeanie Brumbaugh, visitors could stop at the market and pick up fresh produce or buy goods from Farmer’s Daughter Bakery. Tour participants also could watch the process of making apple butter. The farm also offers an Autumn Farm Festival, which features the "Kinda Kooky Korn Maze," Grandpa’s Fun Acre, The Enchanted Goat Fort, Storybook Forest, Monster Mountain, hayrides and more.

Visitors could pick apples and drink fresh apple cider at Downing Fruit Farms. They also could take a self-guided walking tour through the orchards. Scott and Rachelle Downing have 3,000 trees that produce apples, peaches, plums and pears. Their apple cider won the National Cider Contest in 1999.

Jeff and Alan Wuebker operate Wuebker Farms, a diversified crop and livestock operation. Their operation includes more than 850 acres in a corn, soybean and wheat rotation and a contract 550 sow farrow-to-wean operation that annually produces more than 11,000 piglets. In addition, they sell Beck’s Superior Hybrid seeds and operate a custom bailing business. Visitors learned about the farm’s modern grain operation that uses global positioning systems. Much of the farm’s large machinery was on display for people to view. Erika Wiggins, educational specialist for the Darke County Soil and Water District, had special activities for the children, as well as informational handouts on local conservation efforts in Darke County.

The visit to Stucke Beef and Egg was a lesson in where America’s food comes from. Melvin and Mary Ann Stucke, Mark and Mary Ann Stucke and Luke and Sharon Osterloh feed out 1,800 head of cattle per year. Along with the cattle operation, the Stuckes entered the egg business in 1978. They now house more than 170,000 laying hens. The Stuckes also raise corn, soybeans, wheat and hay.

The Winery at Versailles, one of Darke County’s newest agribusinesses, offered tours and wine tasting. Owners Mike and Carol Williams offer 25 different wines and operate a gift shop.

Camelot Farms of Versailles is a full-service equine facility that offers boarding, lessons, training, trail riding and a youth program that includes clinics, a summer horse camp and weekly young rider "Ride Nights." Visitors witnessed jumping, barrel racing and pole bending demonstrations. Cassanova the miniature horse, BoBo the donkey, Bahama the llama and Norman the cow also entertained the group.

"We felt that the tour was a success. One of the things we heard throughout the day from the tour was how educational the tour was, and they were impressed with the diversity of agriculture in Darke County," said Mandy Daniels, organization director for Darke, Miami and Preble counties.

CAPTION: Alan Wuebker, l, of Wuebker Farms shows tour participants chopped straw that his farm markets to livestock operators as bedding.