HENDRY COUNTY — City Farm Tour Council and UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension Service will hold the 47th Farm Tour of the Hendry County agricultural industry, Saturday, March 9 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.. 

Participants will board the tour bus at the Extension Office located at the Dallas Townsend Building, 1085 Pratt Blvd. in Labelle. Tickets can be purchased from https://www.eventbrite.com/e/march-9-2024-farm-tour-tickets-731174311047?aff=oddtdtcreator. Click the Orange “Ticket” button to see bus schedules, departure locations and other information.

Hendry County is one of the largest agricultural counties in the state and is the largest producer of oranges in Florida with over 75,000 acres of groves. In addition, Hendry County is the second largest producer of sugarcane, third largest in vegetable production, and fifth largest in beef cattle.

This year’s tour will feature a variety of interesting stops at some of Florida’s most sophisticated agricultural operations including vegetable transplant and ornamental nurseries, citrus, sugarcane, and vegetable production, as well as one of the largest beef cattle ranches in the state. There will also be a fresh Florida orange juice break at a stop along the way. You will be transported with knowledgeable tour guides to various stops around the county where you can get a close-up look at some of the most efficient farmers in the world.

Participants will enjoy a modern, airconditioned (restroom equipped) 56 passenger tour bus with expert tour guides. Lunch is included and will feature a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth 16 oz. ribeye steak, with all the fixins, served by the Hendry County Cattlemen’s Association.

For those who do not eat beef,  tour officials recommend that you pack something else that you can eat. The tour will not have substitutions.

Proceeds from ticket sales support Hendry County 4-H and the Hendry County Cattlemen’s Association scholarship. For this reason, no refunds will be issued.

A breakfast ticket selection will be offered this year. A local, family-owned business, BAGEL 8 will set up a “bagel bar” which includes bagels made with fresh, locally grown produce (blueberries and jalapeños) and delicious toppings – locally canned “tomato jam”, cream cheese, butter, local honey, and jelly. There would also be Florida orange juice and coffee to drink. Breakfast requires a separate ticket from the bus tour ticket and it is optional.

If you would like to enjoy the Breakfast Bagel Bar and Orange Juice at the Extension Office please purchase your ticket and present it for entry to be served.

There will be NO option to purchase breakfast on the day of the tour to insure ample supplies.

All food and drinks would have to be consumed at the Extension Office due to the bus policy of no food or open beverages on bus.