Glad to meetcha!
The people you’ll meet on this tour are passionate about providing delicious, wholesome, unique and interesting food. They are also passionate about doing so in a way that protects our soil, water and air while taking care of their employees and their communities. We’re proud to know them and excited to introduce them to you.
Many of these farms and businesses are not usually open to the public. This is your chance to get behind the scenes and learn what makes them special.
For this visit, please leave your fancy shoes at home. You may encounter mud and maybe even damp and chilly weather. It IS April, after all. Dress for the weather cuz we’ll be here rain, snow or shine. (Never fear, there are places to warm up on the tour.)
For those with mobility concerns, the brochure contains icons denoting sites where the footing is uneven...and maybe even hilly and sites that have paved surfaces.
Lastly, we have lots of stops your kids will love, but your dogs…not so much. For the safety of pets and farm animals alike, please leave your pets at home.
Although the tour is free, we ask you to register using the button above so we can be prepared. Let us know how many people might be in your party and check off the top 6 sites you’re most interested in visiting. It’s ok if you change your mind once you’re on the tour!
Register
Tour Stops
Meadowlark Farm & Mill*
3630 Ridgevue Road, Ridgeway
Meadowlark Farm & Mill is a family owned and operated organic farm and flour mill specializing in culinary grain, corn, and beans. Through diverse crop rotation, cover crops, cattle grazing, and organic production methods, these farmers are regenerating the land while providing high quality food to our community.
Guided mill tours will be at 10:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Meadowlark will be joined by the American Wine Project, celebrating our community’s network of regional food educators. Graphic designer Mike Lind of Aspen Farm Studios will be doing linocut prints featuring Meadowlark art. Pose at their selfie station, test your grain knowledge with a “Guess the Grains” game, or relax and view a short film screening featuring the farm and mill. Throughout the day, kids can enjoy a sensory station and grain-themed coloring pages. Round out your trip with a stop into the pop-up mercantile featuring freshly milled flour, corn, beans and merchandise. Delicious coffee and pastries will also be available for purchase.
Future Fruit Farm*
5363 Knobs Road, Ridgeway
For over 44 years this family orchard has specialized in organic antique and exotic varieties of pears and apples. The emphasis is on nutritious fruit that is bursting with flavor and grown in a sustainable organic environment. Find out how this mother-daughter duo use organic and regenerative practices during guided tours at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Delect-apples from the farm store, The Frozen Local, will be available for sampling and purchase. Ice cream and lunch offerings will also be available for purchase. You can purchase pasture-raised lamb and wool products directly from the farmers at Straight Forward Farm and meet with folks from the Wisconsin Farmers Union. Follow the signs to the orchard gate. Restroom facilities are not available.
Seven Seeds Farm
5079 County Z, Spring Green
This organic regenerative farm raises and sells grass-fed beef, pastured pork and chicken. Join the farm tour at 11:15 a.m. to learn about regenerative practices including the silvopasture planting. With any luck, you’ll see baby farm animals! Visit the UW-Madison Grassland 2.0 interactive exhibit to see how strengthening connections between farmers and eaters supports the viability of farms and communities. The Farm Store will be open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Deidre Birmingham of The Cider Farm will be at the farm store sampling delicious hard ciders made from her organic orchard in Mineral Point. Summer sausage and beef sticks will be available for sampling and purchase as well as regeneratively raised and organic meats. Handicapped parking is available for the store.
Hungry? There’s a smash burger party at Pridge. Chefs Chance Spivey and Hannah Gunter will be serving up smash burgers (made from Seven Seeds organic beef), lard fries and cocktails (NA available) from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Pleasant Ridge Store, 4948 County Road Z, Dodgeville.
At 3 p.m., meet at the Pleasant Ridge Store for a ridge-top pasture walk with beautiful views of our river valley and Blue Mounds and, of course, Seven Seeds’ diverse farmscape.
Elderflower Retreat at Savanna Institute's Hillside Pastures*
6511 Hillside School Road, Spring Green
Get a taste of perennial foods at this stop!
Throughout the day you can learn about how agroforestry (farming with trees and perennials) is one of the most hopeful solutions for the future of our climate and food system.
At 10:15am and 3:15pm hear a fascinating (and short) talk by Lily Hislop, tree crop breeder at Savanna Institute, about the resurgence of America's once-forbidden fruit: black currants. You can also sample some berry juices with Lily and be a part of her research!
UW Extension’s Emerging Crops Program will share information on emerging perennial crops in Wisconsin, including kernza, honeyberry and hazelnuts and provide product samples for tasting.
This is All Fabulous will be serving up both savory and sweet crepes using nuts and fruits – perfect for a late breakfast, snack, or lunch. (Gluten free and vegetarian options available.) Fresh fried doughnuts and coffee along with some samples of delicious perennial foods will also be available.
At this location only, you can enter to win a free one-night stay for up to 4 people at Elderflower Retreat ($1250 value).
Cates Family Farm*
5992 County T, Spring Green
The Cates family will share their story of transitioning to a grass-fed, direct sale farm focused on conservation. Take a wagon ride at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. to learn how the practices they and their neighbors have incorporated have restored Lowery Creek to welcome the return of native trout. You can also walk the farm during the day and visit with the Cates. Dick Cates’ book, A Creek Runs Through This Driftless Land, describing the family’s conservation-minded farm journey, will be for sale. You can also purchase Cates’ popular summer sausage and other products on the farm.
While you’re there, meet the folks from Driftless Area Land Conservancy to find out about the important work they’re doing, including their work with the Lowery Creek Watershed Initiative.
Hungry? Tortilleria Zepeda* will be selling authentic tortillas, chips and tamales (featuring Cates beef ) made from local, organic corn.
Taliesin
5607 County C, Spring Green
Join Taliesin Preservation Kitchen Gardener Abbie Lehman for a tour of the kitchen garden. Learn about Taliesin's rich history of farming and food and sample seasonal produce supplied to the Riverview Terrace Cafe. Kitchen Garden tours will start at Hillside School (6604 Highway 23) at 10:30, 12:00, and 1:30.Pre-registration is recommended to guarantee a spot. Each tour is limited to 25 people. Visit taliesinpreservation.org for more details and to register.
The Riverview Terrace Cafe will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. celebrating Earth Day with lunch specialstailored to the day. Visit the website for more information regarding operating hours and the menu.
The Visitor Center and Gift Shop will be open with our daily tour offerings and restrooms available for the public.
Ducks in a Row Family Farm*
5737 County H, Arena
Ducks in a Row Family Farm on FB
Tour this pasture-based livestock and organic vegetable family farm at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and learn how they produce 100% grass-fed meats, eggs, and fiber year-round. You can buy farm products, see how wool is spun into yarn, pet baby lambs and chicks and learn about grassland birds on grazing farms from the National Audubon Society.
RedBarn Catering*
525 E. Madison Street, Spring Green
Stop by the commercial kitchen where Chef Jay Miller makes catering magic happen using many locally sourced ingredients. Watch him make small batch truffles and perhaps buy some to take home. (They make wonderful gifts!) You can also sample Jay’s artisan bagels which will also be available to purchase. Parking is also available across the street in the Sh*tty Barn lot.
Spring Green General Store
137 South Albany Street
Today this half café/half modern general store will be a beehive of activity—literally. Meet with local honey producer Judy Robb of Vandehoney. Learn about the life of a honeybee and importance of pollinators (native bees and honey bees) to our food sources. You can purchase some honey to sweeten your day. Enjoy breakfast or lunch until the kitchen closes at 2 pm. There’s a wide selection of made-to-order breakfast, soup, salad, sandwiches, quiche and daily lunch specials.
Steadfast Acres* at The Octagon Barn*
E4350 Horseshoe Road, Spring Green
https://www.steadfast-acres.com
https://www.theoctagonbarn.com
Inspired to start your own kitchen garden? Steadfast Acres has herb and cool-season vegetable plants for sale at The Octagon Barn’s Annual Barn Sale. Steadfast Acres’ farmers will be on hand to give you tips on how to grow your new plants.
If you’d like to try your hand at growing a perennial food crop, Canopy Farm Management will have chestnut trees, pawpaw trees and black currant bushes for sale. Come learn about Canopy’s plans to grow more of these crops in the area.
You’ll find many other treasures for sale at the annual barn sale. While you’re there, enjoy baked goods from The Frozen Local and RedBarn Catering as well as locally roasted Brewhaha coffee.
Cedar Grove Cheese
E5904 Mill Road, Plain
Learn about premium cheese making the old-fashioned way from local cow, sheep and goat milk at this family-owned business. Find out about the plant’s history since its founding in 1878 and learn about Wisconsin’s cheese industry. Discover an innovative system that lets you learn about the farm where the milk for each cheese is sourced. Visit the newly renovated Living Machine water treatment “plant”. Taste grilling cheese and other samples. You can also buy cheese fresh from the creamery.
The perfect ending…
Twin Crix Blueberry Farm*
6679 State Road 23, Spring Green
…to a memorable day begs for one more special experience. From 4-8 p.m., you can purchase wood-fired pizzas and fresh salads by Leah and Kyle of Homecoming and Reunion; wine, including something special from American Wine Project; Giant Jones beer; ice cream sandwiches (a collaboration between Savor and The Frozen Local). Enjoy hiking trails, live music in the barn and even a sauna from Kindled Community Sauna. While you’re savoring more local food and basking in the glow of community, you can also learn more about Twin Crix’s offerings: pick-your-own berries, participatory music-making experiences, farm walks and mutual learning opportunities.
Parking will be available at the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitors Center with a shuttle running between the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitors Center (5607 County Road C) and the farm. It’s also a pleasant ¾-mile paved walk from the visitors center to the farm for anyone who prefers to walk. Depending on weather, you may not be able to park at the farm itself. Please check the Twin Crix website (https://www.twincrix.com) for updated details.
About Savor
Savor the River Valley is a grass-roots initiative to connect farmers, food processors, food retailers and restaurants to support each other and to bring more visibility to the awesome food they produce, sell and serve. In 2025, Wisconsin Rural Partners named Savor the Wisconsin’s Top Rural Development Initiative for demonstrating partnership and collaboration in creating positive community impacts.
For more information about Savor the River Valley, visit our website: savortherivervalley.org
*This business is not generally open to the public.
Noodles a la Zen
Saturday, March 21
12:00 noon to 2:00 pm.
$30 (plus processing fee)
6743 Sneed Creek Road, Spring Green
This class is based on the shared experience of eating soba noodles in a manner not so different from how they would be served and eaten in a Zen training temple. The meal itself will be conducted in silence, but we will have time afterwards to talk about the experience: why are meals conducted in this fashion? Why are the dishes used in the manner in which they are used? Why is soba (buckwheat) served more often than wheat noodles, and how are they made?
Patricia Greene is the tenzo (head chef) for Spring Green Zen Dojo. In a Zen temple setting, the tenzo is not only responsible for the meal planning and preparation, but more importantly that person is responsible for the overall well-being of the people who train in Zen. This responsibility means that people are being nourished in all senses of the word.
Vegetarian Cooking
& The Amazing Tofu
Sunday, March 8
2:00 pm. to 5:00 pm.
$60 (plus processing fee)
RedBarn Catering, 525 E. Madison St., Spring Green
Want to learn the tricks to delicious tofu? Interested in preparing plant-based meals that check all the boxes? Then this is the class for you! From Spring Rolls to improvised meals on the fly, Jay Miller of RedBarn Catering is ready to bring your kitchen confidence to the next level. Coffee, wine, & ice water provided.
Jay Miller founded RedBarn Catering on the principle that the best meals are made from scratch & locally sourced. He has a passion for all things culinary, & specializes in regional cuisines from around the world. His genuine joy for his work comes through in each meal he prepares.
Cajun Cooking
Sunday, February 15
2:00 pm. to 5:00 pm.
$50 (plus processing fee)
RedBarn Catering, 525 E.Madison St., Spring Green
Spice things up with a taste of Louisiana, right after Valentine's Day and just in time for Mardi Gras! Learn the secrets of authentic Chicken & Andouille Gumbo served over perfectly fluffy rice. And while we're at it, let's make cast-iron skillet Cornbread with Honey Butter! Class participants will enjoy a delicious meal and bring home recipes, dark roux, & a jar of RedBarn Catering's renowned Cajun Seasoning! So come join Jay Miller at his spacious RedBarn Catering Kitchen, and have a great afternoon with Cajun comfort food at its finest! Coffee, wine, & ice water provided.
Jay Miller founded RedBarn Catering on the principle that the best meals are made from scratch & locally sourced. He has a passion for all things culinary, & specializes in regional cuisines from around the world. His genuine joy for his work is comes through in each meal he prepares.
Spanish Empanadas
Saturday, January 31
2:00 pm. to 5:00 pm.
$60 (plus processing fee)
RedBarn Catering, 525 E. Madison St., Spring Green
Let's make Empanadas with Jay Miller of RedBarn Catering! Work the dough, cook the filling, and fill & crimp your own pastries. From start to finish, we’ll have fun learning to make traditional Spanish Empanadas from scratch. Take home recipes, your leftover dough, and some great memories! Coffee, wine, & ice water provided.
Jay Miller founded RedBarn Catering on the principle that the best meals are made from scratch & locally sourced. He has a passion for all things culinary & specializes in regional cuisines from around the world. His genuine joy for his work comes through in each meal he prepares.
Hazelnut Financier
with Poached Pear:
How-To Demonstration
Thursday, January 22
5:30 pm. to 7:00 pm.
$25 (plus processing fee)
Elderflower Retreat, 6511 Hillside School Rd, Spring Green
Pastry chef and owner of The Book Kitchen in Mineral Point, Nicole Bujewski, will demonstrate how to make a Hazelnut Financier with poached pears—a classic French tea cake known for its rich, nutty flavor, crisp edges, and tender, buttery crumb.
Gather with us for this cozy afternoon. Cake will be served along with tea from Nicole's new tea and flower shop in Mineral Point called the Violet Fig.
Teaming up with Savanna Institute, Nicole will use Midwest-grown hazelnuts and hazelnut flower from Hazel Heart Farms in this delicious French treat.
*This event is NOT gluten or dairy free*
Cast Iron Cooking:
Technique Perfected
Saturday, January 17
2:00 pm. to 6:00 pm.
$60 (plus processing fee)
RedBarn Catering, 525 E. Madison St., Spring Green
Bring your aprons & appetites! Join Jay Miller of RedBarn Catering to have all of your cast iron questions answered! In this hands-on class we'll cover seasoning, proper use, maintenance, and repair. And get your forks ready to dive into the secrets of beautifully seared meat with a delicious pan sauce, perfectly crisp cornbread that’s never dry, and sky-high Dutch babies that always impress. Coffee, wine, & ice water provided.
Jay Miller founded RedBarn Catering on the principle that the best meals are made from scratch & locally sourced. He has a passion for all things culinary, & specializes in regional cuisines from around the world. His genuine joy for his work is comes through in each meal he prepares.
Cozy Candlelight Dinner!
On behalf of culinary team, Chef Chance Spivey and Hannah Gunter, and your Elderflower Retreat host, Erin Crooks Lynch, we welcome you to our Cozy Candlelight Multi-Course Dinner on Thursday, December 18th at 6:00PM featuring local and perennial produce from farms like Steadfast Acres, Seven Seeds and Savanna Institute's North Farm.
Additionally, we'll hear a few words about Savanna Institute's work and why perennial crops incorporated into our current agriculture systems are not only impactful in positive ways for animals and the landscape, but tasty and important for humans, too!
Please aim to arrive at 5:50pm at the earliest or as close to 6pm as possible. We won't get started until 6:15pm while we wait for all to gather.
Elderflower Retreat
6511 Hillside School Road
Spring Green WI 53588
Bring your own alcoholic beverage, wine or beer, or non-alcoholic beverage to enjoy with dinner if you prefer something other than water. This helps us keep our dinner cost affordable, thank you.
We will be offering a complimentary non-alcoholic mocktail.
The cost is $75 per person (plus processing fee).
Prosecco? Cava? Dry Lambrusco? What’s your favorite style of sparkling wine? Here’s a chance to explore.
You’re invited to a Sparkling Holiday Event hosted by Convivio and Red Barn Catering. On December 6th, from 4 - 6 pm. we will gather at the White School.( 242 N Lexington St, Spring Green) The cost is $60 per person.
We’ll be pouring a selection of sparkling wines and inviting you to pair them with a buffet of beautiful foods provided by Jay of Red Barn Catering. It’s an opportunity to learn more about bubbly wines and what delicious foods will pair well with them. Perhaps you’ll get some inspiration for your own holiday party!
At 6 o’clock, when you’re happy and full, we’ll send you out into the street to watch the beautiful fireworks display and spread some holiday cheer.
Limited to 40 guests.
Sparkling Holiday Event!
2025 Farm & Food Tour
April 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To see the tour brochure click here.
To view the interactive tour map click here.
Tour Stops
Meadowlark Farm & Mill 3630 Ridgevue Rd, Ridgeway
Guided mill tours will be at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Meadowlark will be joined by the Artisan Grain Collaborative, Republic of Letters, The Book Kitchen and American Wine Project, celebrating our community's network of regional food educators. Aspen Farm Studios will be doing linocut prints Meadowlark art. Kids can enjoy seed planting, a sensory station, and grain themed coloring pages. In addition to a pop-up mercantile with their freshly milled flour, corn, beans and merchandise, there will also be delicious food, ORIGIN Breads, pastries and coffee for purchase.
Future Fruit Farm 5363 Knobs Rd Ridgeway
Find out how this mother-daughter duo use organic and regenerative practices during guided tours at 12:30 and 3 p.m. The orchard is open from noon-4:00 pm. Delect-apples from the farm store, The Frozen Local, will be available for sampling and purchase.
Seven Seeds Farm 5079 Cty Rd Z, Spring Green
Join the farm tour at 1 p.m. to learn about regenerative practices including the silvopasture planting. With any luck, you’ll see baby farm animals! Visit the UW-Madison Grassland 2.0 interactive exhibit to see how strengthening connections between farmers and eaters supports the viability of farms and communities.
Hungry? Chance Spivey of Reunion Restaurant will be smashing burgers made from Seven Seeds beef for purchase from 11:30 a.m. until 1. The Farm Store will be open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Elderflower Retreat at Savanna Institute's Hillside Pastures 6511 Hillside School Road, Spring Green
Sample perennial fruits and nuts that grow in our region and participate in a beverage tasting for research. At 10:15AM and 3:15PM, hear a fascinating short presentation by Lily Hislop, Tree Crop Breeder at Savanna Institute, about the resurgence of the US' forbidden fruit: Black Currants. Visit with Canopy Farm Management to learn about Canopy Compass, a free and easy-to-use mapping tool.
Taliesin 5607 Cty C, Spring Green
Sorry! The tour spots have filled up.
Join the Taliesin Kitchen Gardener for a 30-minute tour of the Taliesin garden and farm. Discover the rich history of how farming and food began at Taliesin followed by a discussion of how this legacy has evolved over the century and is continued today. Tours will occur at 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM.
Ducks in a Row Family Farm 5737 Cty Rd H, Arena
Tour our pasture-based livestock and organic vegetable family farm at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and learn how we produce 100% grass fed meats, eggs, and fiber year round. You can buy farm products and pet the baby lambs!
RedBarn Catering 525 E. Madison Street, Spring Green
Stop by the commercial kitchen where Chef Jay Miller makes catering magic happen using many locally sourced ingredients. Watch him make small batch truffles and perhaps buy some to take home.
Spring Green General Store 137 South Albany Street
Stop by from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to meet with local honey producer Judy Robb of Vandehoney. Learn about the life of a honeybee and what it takes to make a teaspoon of honey. You can purchase some honey to sweeten your day. Enjoy breakfast or lunch until the kitchen closes at 2 pm.
Steadfast Acres & Reunion Restaurant at The Octagon Barn, E4350 Horseshoe Rd, Spring Green
Inspired to start your own kitchen garden? Steadfast Acres has herb and cool-season vegetable plants for sale at The Octagon Barn’s Annual Barn Sale. Steadfast Acres’ farmers will be on hand to give you tips on how to grow your new plants.
From 11:30 to 2 p.m., Reunion Restaurant will be serving up BBQ pork sandwiches on freshly baked milk buns, paired with a selection of classic Southern sides—all made with locally sourced ingredients. It's the perfect stop for lunch while shopping the Octagon Barn Sale or exploring the Savor Farm Tour!
Tortilleria Zepeda 304 S Oak Street, Lone Rock
See how this family-owned tortilleria uses local, non-GMO organic corn to make its artisan tortillas, then put them to a taste test. You can take advantage of this special opportunity to buy empanadas, tostadas, fresh tortillas and tortilla chips onsite.
Cedar Grove Cheese E5904 Mill Rd, Plain
Learn about premium cheese making the old-fashioned way from local cow, sheep and goat milk at this family-owned business. Discover an innovative system that lets you learn about the farm where the milk for each cheese is sourced. Visit the newly renovated Living Machine water treatment “plant”. Taste grilling cheese and other samples.
The perfect ending…
Homecoming at Twin Crix Blueberry Farm 6679 WI-23, Spring Green
From 4-8 p.m., the team from Homecoming Spring Green will serve up wood-fired pizza, drinks and live music at Twin Crix Blueberry Farm.
Win an overnight stay at Elderflower Retreat
Don’t just daydream about waking to the magnificent views of Elderflower Retreat. Enter the drawing for an overnight stay for up to 4 people. Pick up an entry card for this drawing at any of our 11 stops. Get your card stamped at 3 or more places (don’t limit yourself to 3!) and deposit your card at your final stop. You’ll be entered in the drawing for this prize worth $1,200! To view full terms and conditions for this drawing click here.