Life on Tour: A Farmer’s Perspective on the Loudoun County Spring & Fall Farm Tours
Every year, a number of Loudoun farms open their gates wide for the Spring and Fall Farm Tours organized by the county’s Department of Economic Development. These tours bring thousands of farm-curious neighbors and visitors into our fields, barns, and greenhouses. For us farmers, it’s a chance to share not just our products, but the stories, challenges, and values behind what we grow. It’s a rare moment where the curtain gets pulled back, and people can see firsthand what it takes to raise crops, livestock, and specialty products in Northern Virginia.
Loudoun County has one of the most diverse agricultural landscapes in the region. On any given tour weekend, you can wander from wineries and breweries to cut-flower farms, produce operations, animal rescues, apiaries, hemp farms, and multi-generation livestock operations. That diversity is part of what makes these tours so special: it gives all of us—farmers and visitors alike—a chance to appreciate just how many hands and passions shape our local food system.
Our Experience at Gathering Springs Farm
Here at Gathering Springs Farm, we’ve been participating in the tours for four years now. And even though the weekends are always busy—sometimes very busy—they consistently leave us energized. We walk away with new connections, expanded community, and a noticeable increase in exposure. For a small farm, that kind of engagement is priceless.
We’ve settled into a rhythm that works well for us. Each tour weekend, we set up a farmers-market-style booth stocked with fresh veggies, eggs, and whatever seasonal products we have on hand. From there, visitors are welcome to wander the farm on their own with our self-guided tour map. We’ve created a path with numbered stops, each with a short explanation of what guests are seeing—from the no-till beds in the high tunnels to the wash-and-pack area to the chickens scratching in the orchard.
For guests who want a deeper dive, we offer guided tours at set times throughout the day. Those are often our favorite moments. It’s not uncommon to have 40 or more people join a single walk-through, peppering us with thoughtful questions about soil health, crop varieties, pest management, or how many eggs a hen lays in a week. The curiosity and enthusiasm always blow us away.
Why We Keep Coming Back
Opening your farm to hundreds of people in a single weekend isn’t always easy. Chores don’t pause, crops don’t stop growing, and animals still need care. But the exchange—the conversations, the shared excitement, the chance to connect people with the source of their food—makes it worth every minute.
The tours remind us why we farm in the first place. They strengthen our community ties and help people understand that local agriculture is vibrant, diverse, and very much alive here in Northern Virginia.
If you’ve never joined a Loudoun County Farm Tour, we hope you’ll come visit sometime. Whether you’re a gardener, a foodie, a parent looking for a fun activity, or someone who just enjoys being outdoors, there’s something on the tour route that will inspire you. And if you find yourself at Gathering Springs Farm on the next farm tour (May 2026), please come say hello—we’d love to show you around.