TOUR 1

Massanutten Technical Center Working Farm (Valley View) 

This 216-acre farm is essentially a learning laboratory for students of the agricultural program at Massanutten Technical Center. The farm, owned by Mike and Susan Phillips, is home to beef cattle, uses some of the latest technology and rotational grazing, and aims to provide fresh forage for their cattle year-round. Moreover, areas of the farm are dedicated to pollinator and wildlife habitat. The Phillips’ use cutting-edge sustainable farming practices, so much so that Valley View is used for research by students from Virginia Tech, James Madison University and Ferrum College.

TOUR 2

White Oak Lavender Farm

Opened in 2008 to the public. It is owned and operated by the Haushalter family in Harrisonburg located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. They grow over 8,000 lavender plants and about 3,000 grape vines. Lavender is harvested in the summer to dry the flowers for buds and to extract the essential oil and hydrosol or floral water through steam distillation. They harvest their grapes in the fall to make 10 delicious wines. They offer wine tasting, tours, lectures, classes. There is a petting area and a lovely lavender gift shop. Be sure to bring your wallet for the gift shop or to purchase wine.

Mt. Crawford Creamery

Situated on approximately 70 acres between Mt. Crawford and Bridgewater on Route 257, Mt Crawford Creamery is home to a herd of Holstein and Holstein-Jersey cos. Depending on the season, they milk between 60 and 80 cows, twice a day. About 30 acres of the farm is crop land, 30 acres are allocated for grazing the cows, and the remaining is around the buildings and their homes. The tour will include a history of the farm and creamery, visiting the milking parlor, calves, and samples.

Smiley's Ice Cream

Located a quarter of a mile from Mt. Crawford Creamery, Smiley’s Ice Cream is a family-run and owned ice cream shop specializing in making farm-fresh, premium, homemade ice cream, sorbet, and other ice cream novelties. Their ice cream, made daily, begins its journey at Mt. Crawford Creamery, using their fresh cream and milk. In October of 2021, Smiley’s relocated from their first brick-and-mortar ice cream shop on Mt. Crawford Creamery’s farm to a larger facility, just down the road.

Basket Weaving ($25/person, limited to 20 people)

Create your own basket with State Women’s Leadership Committee Member, Carolyn Neal. This will be hosted at the hotel.