Fearing Angus Farm
Stoney Ridge Fruit Farm
Dandelion Ridge Farm
Weston School Dairy Sheep Barn
Narrows Creek Winery
Ernest Hupeden’s Painted Forest

Welcome to the:

Hill and Valley Exploration Tour: A Celebration of Rural Living

The 1^st Annual Hill and Valley Exploration Tour was a Smashing Success! Thank you to everyone who came out and explored! We are delighted to announce a 2^nd Annual Hill and Valley Exploration Tour.

Save the dates:

Hill and Valley Exploration Tour:
A celebration of rural living
October 6–7 and 13–14, 2018

Two autumn weekends to explore farm traditions.
Area farms open their doors to welcome you!
Experience farm living first hand!

About the Hill and Valley Exploration Tour:

Occurring on the first two full weekends in October, the Hill and Valley Exploration Tour: A Celebration of Rural Living is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself into the vibrant small farm economy of Northern Sauk and Richland Counties! Explore and experience rural living first hand! Feed the Calves. Walk the Fields. Harvest Honey. Visit Artist Studios and Galleries. View the Beautiful Country that inspires Us All. Visit Historic Folk Art Sites. Find Hidden Gems. Share History. Buy Beautiful Art, Farm Fresh Meats, and Cheese Directly from Rural Producers at their farms, studios, and shops. Learn about the Changing Face of Rural America. Bring your cooler, an extra sweater, and the mud boots; this is country fun — rain or shine.

Explore, Learn and Buy Local; Come and Join the Fun!

Watch our Website, Blog, Facebook Page, and Join our email List for Information Updates Including Special Attractions and Events at
Participating Farms, Restaurants, Businesses and Events!

Tour Venues

Meet Your Local Professionals

Lisa Buttonow

Branding Iron Roadhouse,
Farm-to-Fork Eatery,
Lime Ridge

Welcome to the Branding Iron Roadhouse, Main Street, Lime Ridge, WI, established 2011. The Branding Iron is a true farm-to-fork restaurant serving delicious food, cooked to order, and made from locally grown beef and other locally-produced products.

Doreen and Michael Whiteside

Buck Wild Ranch,
Family Farmstead,
La Valle

Newly founded in 2014 by Michael and Doreen Whiteside — two city folks with a dream to live a simpler life and a passion for clean food and agricultural practices. We grow buckwheat, a pseudo grain (actually a seed) that is high in essential minerals and antioxidants and is gluten free. Buckwheat has many health benefits and makes wonderful kasha, noodles, tea and PANCAKES! And while we love the delicious, healthy products we get from our buckwheat, its main purpose is to feed our bees.

Sid Cook, Owner; Patty Koenig, Business Manager

Carr Valley Cheese Co, La Valle

Nestled amongst the rolling hills and lush pastures of central Wisconsin, Carr Valley Cheese remains a staple of Wisconsin cheesemaking tradition. Stop by our retail store and try any one of our over 100 varieties of cheese; you will be greeted with a warm smile and a staff eager to answer all your cheese related questions!

Edgewood College, David Wells, Director

Ernest Hupeden’s Painted Forest, Valton, WI

Come and visit this restored folk art treasure featuring imaginative murals by German immigrant and itinerant artist Ernest Hüpeden, painted from 1899–1901. Guided Tours and special activities!

Steve Fearing

Fearing Angus Natural Freezer Beef, La Valle

Fearing Angus Natural Freezer Beef is a family farm located in the unglaciated hills of NW Sauk County. We raise Angus Beef and Club Calves. All our animals are humanely-treated, naturally-grown, pasture-raised, and whole-grain supplemented. That’s a lot of adjectives to describe our beef, but each one means something very specific for us, and, for you, the beef consumer.

Sandy and Melvin Smith

Narrows Creek Gardens,
La Valle

Narrows Creek Garden is a 3^rd generation family farm operated by Sandy and Melvin Smith. We are focusing on growing Aronia berries, an emerging ‘super fruit’ that may aid in fighting cancer, lowering cholesterol, and helping control diabetes. Aronia berries, also known as a chokeberry, are used for juice, jelly, wine, and additions for both color and flavor to yogurt, sauces and an endless variety of other food products.

Dean and Vicky Baumgarten

Narrows Creek Winery, Loganville

The winemakers and owners of this fledgling winery are Dean and Vicky Baumgarten. Opening late summer, we hope you will come and give us a LOOK and a TASTE. We are located on Narrows Creek Road, about 1 mile off of Hwy 23, north of Loganville, WI.

John Bergman

Stoney Ridge Fruit Farms, Loganville

Rooted on the top of a ridge outside of Loganville, Stoney Ridge Fruit Farm is unapologetically simple. It is a stone’s throw from where owner, John Bergman, was born and raised. Inspired by the many heirloom and historic apples, and the thousands of different varieties, John started planting the orchard in 2008. There are now nearly 350 trees, including 130 varieties, in the ground.

Don and Dorothy Harms

Valley Springs Farm and Bed and Breakfast, Reedsburg

Don and Dorothy Harms operate a working dairy and beef farm which offers the sights and sounds of the country – from Sandhill cranes returning in the spring to newborn Red Angus calves frolicking in the pasture with their mommas.

Peter Kinsman

Dandelion Ridge Farm, Lime Ridge

Joyce Ihde

Old School Art Asylum, Lime Ridge

Visit Joyce’s Art Studio/Gallery where she will be displaying her paintings of rural life. Take a little of the beauty home with you by means of a new painting for your wall or some greeting cards to share with family and friends. She will be doing two step-by-step painting classes for those who want to join in the fun. Guest Artists will also be there creating and selling their work!

Patricia Duren

Patricia Duren Art Studio, Cazenovia

I’m excited to be part of the Hill and Valley Exploration Tour 2018. Stop by my new art studio where I will be displaying recent paintings as well as demonstrating techniques each morning from 11:00 — noon. Paintings and cards will be available for purchase.

Sue Louis, Student/ Family and Community Relations Coordinator; Randi Osborne, Agriculture Educator

Weston School District, Cazenovia

The Weston School District, in beautiful Sauk and Richland counties, is situated on 60 acres in the midst of cornfields and woodlands. Even though the district is small, Weston’s 300 preK -12 grade students experience a challenging academic environment with a wide array of athletic, artistic, technical, vocational, exploratory, and college level course offerings. Our “hands-on” curriculum keeps students excited about learning.

Contact Us!

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Fearing Angus Farm

Stoney Ridge Fruit Farm

Dandelion Ridge Farm

Weston School Dairy Sheep Barn

Narrows Creek Winery

Ernest Hupeden’s Painted Forest