Combining two of Florida’s largest industries – tourism and agriculture, agritourism is alive and well in Clay County. With thriving 4-H programs in public schools and a large turnout at the annual Clay County Agricultural Fair to the weekly farmer’s markets and rural accommodations, our destination welcomes visitors to explore local agritourism events and businesses.
Let’s take a look at how you can become involved in agritourism during your time in Clay County!
Explore the Clay County Fair
The Clay County Agricultural Fair returns to the Clay County Fairgrounds every April with a full lineup of excitement including special events, rides and national entertainment. Visitors can stroll through the popular Early Florida Village for a step back in time to the early days with live demonstrators dressed in period attire. Visitors can learn about blacksmiths, churning butter, soap making, straw broom making, cane syrup, quilt making and more.
While you are at the fair, don’t miss visiting the livestock barn where you can get up close to cows, pigs, horses, chickens, goats and more. Many of their handlers/keepers are 4-H students from around the county. They are ready to answer questions and help share their love of raising livestock with others.
Also at the fair is the popular AG-Town area featuring a makeshift town sharing real-life, hands-on experiences of why farming is fun. Visit the AG-Town Feed Store, the library, AG-Town’s general store and more to meet local community members sharing stories of life on the farm.
Local Agritourism Events in Clay County
Amazing Grace Family Farms comes alive on Fridays and Saturdays in October with their annual fall festival and corn maze. Test your skills at the farm’s crop maze and enjoy tasty fall treats. The pumpkin patch makes the perfect spot for Fall photos and little ones can visit the farm animals and the nearby playground. Located on Highway 21 between Middleburg and Keystone Heights, the entire family can take advantage of fall fun on this family-owned farm.
On the second Saturday of each month, take part in the Lake Asbury Marketplace featuring local artists, sweet treats, live music and plenty of family fun. Located conveniently between Middleburg and Green Cove Springs, the Lake Asbury marketplace is a popular spot with locals and visitors looking to take home handmade treasures and local produce.
Orange Park’s Annual Fall Festival takes place every October at the Orange Park Town Hall. What started with 12 vendors and a few musicians has blossomed into a festival featuring over 200 vendors and two stages packed with live music. Festival-goers can shop for unique gifts, handmade quilts, locally-made pottery and more. Food vendors offering a variety of items from barbecue to fresh baked goods to seafood and local honey. In the Kids Zone, little ones can enjoy face painting, inflatables and games. Admission and parking are free! This event is ranked as a Top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society.
Pick up a souvenir or shop for the week’s groceries at the Orange Park Farmer’s Market held the first and third Sunday of each month, September through June, at Orange Park Town Hall Park. With over 100 vendors featured each week, visitors can find homegrown items like fresh produce and honey, along with arts and crafts, live music and plenty of options for a bite to eat too.
Rural Accommodations and Venues in Clay County
At All 4 One Farms, just outside of Middleburg, wedding guests can relax among the property’s live oak trees, green pastures and an open-air barn complete with chandeliers and perimeter lighting. Brides have their choice of three wedding venues on the property and can relax knowing the farm only hosts one event per day so that each group receives the staff’s full attention.
The property’s main house is a three-story, antebellum home with double porches on the front and back of the home. Whether brides choose to use it for their wedding photos or a place for guests to relax before the ceremony, the home is the centerpiece of the 112-acre farm.
Just south of Green Cove Springs, The Manor at 12 Oaks Farm welcomes bridal parties and their guests to experience an elegant, yet rustic wedding experience. Venues on the property range from the rustic bar, the vibrant garden with waterscapes alongside the stone terrace and the popular covered pergola with a brick fireplace serving as the centerpiece – perfect for pre-ceremony drinks.
The Manor’s outdoor reception area is adjacent to the house where you’ll also find the ballroom, a picturesque venue with hardwood floors and plenty of natural lighting with views looking out over the farm.
At Sniktaw Farm in Green Cove Springs, you can enjoy an outdoor, farm destination that is perfect for birthday parties, luxury picnics, events, movie nights and more. Children can enjoy the two playhouses on property and the adults can take advantage of gathering at the rustic pavilion.
The family-owned Tucker’s Farm House in Green Cove Springs welcomes brides and grooms to celebrate their nuptials on the farm, surrounded by serene wilderness and natural beauty. Constructed over 30 years ago for horses, the property’s barn is now used as the backdrop for weddings up to 150 people.
Tucker’s Farm House prides itself on being more than just a venue with the inclusion of two on-site coordinators to handle all of the day-of details, including scheduling and setup and breakdown of the venue. All that’s left for the bride and groom to worry about is having a memorable wedding day.
For those interested in sleeping under the stars, Under the Stars Glamping Adventures is Clay County’s first and only mobile glamping service offering outdoor luxurious bell tents and indoor teepees at the convenience of coming to your location. From family sleepovers to bridal events, baby showers, birthday parties and more, let their team bring the farm to you with these unique accommodations.
So, get ready to spend a day exploring the agritourism side of Clay County where you’ll have fun and learn a few things about agriculture too. For more information on upcoming agritourism events in Clay County, please visit www.ExploreClay.com.
