11th Annual Greene County Agriculture Tour

The 11th Annual Greene County Commission Agriculture Tour starts at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 16 from the  Greene County County Commission Offices at 1443 N Robberson Ave, Springfield, Mo.

The tour offers a full day of seeing Greene County agriculture up close and meeting some of the people who make it thrive. This year’s itinerary takes participants across the county for stops at Tasty Acres Farm (Hwy. AA, Springfield), Chrishan Park Arabians (Hwy. AA, Springfield), Joe Roberts cattle operation (Fair Grove) Rogers Cattle Company (Strafford) and Lovett Pinetum (Strafford). A special midday stop at Arlie Farms (Rogersville) will include lunch catered by Felton Farms Farm to Table (Rogersville), providing another opportunity to enjoy locally connected food while visiting with fellow participants. 

"Together, the stops showcase the variety of agriculture and land-based enterprises found right here in Greene County, from farms and livestock to specialty operations," said Kyle Whittaker, extension and engagement specialist with University of Missouri Extension and host of this year's tour.

Whittaker notes that the tour is also about conversation and connection. 

"Greene County Commissioners and other county participants will have opportunities throughout the day to visit with producers, learn about their operations, ask questions and better understand both the opportunities and challenges facing local agriculture," said Whittaker.

The tour begins at the Greene County Commission Office in Springfield at 8:30 a.m. and returns around 3:30 p.m.

Seating is limited to just 24 participants, and participation is extended only to an invited list of individuals, so advance online registration is important. This is not an event open to the public.

Whether you work in agriculture or simply want to better understand an important part of Greene County’s economy, landscape and heritage, this tour provides a unique chance to get out in the county, meet local agricultural leaders and experience their work firsthand.

Those invited to be on the tour include Greene County Commissioners, Greene County office holders, elected officials representing the area, and journalists when space is available. 

The Greene County MU Extension Council hosted its first Greene County Commissioners Ag Tour in 2017 (2020 was missed due to COVID). Every year the tour is designed to highlight unique agricultural businesses and efforts in Greene County.  “The Commissioners do have to make decisions that impact agriculture in this county and this annual tour is a chance to educate them on the changing face of local agriculture and give local farmers and opportunity to interact with Commissioners,” said David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension and long-time organizer of the annual agriculture tour.