Sights from down on the farm



Inside the multipurpose accessory building at Bunker Hill Vineyard and Winery.

Cows, pigs, chickens: the sort of critters you might expect to see on a farm tour.

Recently, however, the Manatee River Soil & Water Conservation District gave tourists a little something different, including a stop in Duette at the winery of Larry and Lenora Woodham, and organic blueberries and heirloom tomato varieties at Felicia Tappan's Vintage Organic Acres.

Interest in farming remains surprisingly high. The tour was sold out, says Gail Somodi, soil conservation supervisor.

The annual spring farm tour is the sole fundraiser for the Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District. Funds raised are used for educational events for Manatee County Students, for example land judging awards, Envirothon awards and T-shirts, and speech contest monetary awards, she said.

The tour is helps increase awareness about agricultural enterprises in Manatee County.


Jim





Recycled wine bottles outside the wine cave at Bunker Hill Vineyard and
 Winery. The bottles may be interesting to look at, but they
are also used to make distilled water for the wine process.



Inside the wine cave.