Down on the farm

About a dozen local farms and businesses will open their gates and doors this weekend to celebrate Culpeper’s agricultural roots.

The Harvest Days Farm Tour returns for the 12th year on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event is an agricultural showcase, highlighting what it takes to bring local products to market.

This year, Cornerstone Horsemanship, an equestrian training farm, joins the tour for the first time. Visitors will learn firsthand from owners Charles and Michele Pellham what it takes to raise and train ranch horses.

“We’re going to be using a couple of stallions that we’re showing, and we are going to be doing some cutting demonstrations,” said Charles, who explained that cutting is an equestrian skill where the goal is to separate an animal from a herd for a short period of time.

County agriculture extension agent Carl Stafford said Charles is recognized on the national scene for 35 years experience with Western-style riding, training and ranching.

“We moved out here in 2000,” Charles said. “We knew some people that had been on the tour before. We wanted to get out there to show people what we do.”

Culpeper County is home to more than 600 working farms — about one-third are a primary source of income for the owners, according to the Farm Tour’s organizers.

Here are this year’s participating locations, which can be accessed by car:

Saturday only
* Andora Farm, 17275 Germanna Hwy: Once a dairy farm, Andora is now a horse farm that hosts practices for riders and overnight stabling for travelers. Horse- and cattle-penning demonstrations will be featured Saturday.

* CFC Farm & Home Center, 15172 Brandy Road: A petting zoo and natural riding demonstrations will be featured from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Natural riding involves using body language and communication as key elements of horsemanship.

* Kelly’s Ford Equestrian Center, 16589 Edwards Shop Road, Remington: A 500-acre estate on rolling hills along the Rappahannock River, the center is geared toward meeting the needs of local and visiting equestrians. Civil War living history interpretations, cannon demonstrations, pony rides, hay rides and face painting.

* Lakota Farm, 9272 Big Horn Road, Remington: A beef operation specializing in genetics, the farm is home to the country’s oldest herd of Devon beef cattle. Featured activities will include Border Collie herding demonstrations and wagon rides at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

* Wollam Gardens, 5167 Jeffersonton Road, Jeffersonton: Through research and trial and error, proprietor Bob Wollam now cultivates and sells about 80 varieties of flowers. Saturday’s activities will include garden tours, and freshly cut flowers will be available for sale.

Saturday and Sunday
* Cornerstone Horsemanship, 5229 Homestead Trail, Reva: With 35 years combined experience, Charles and Michelle Pellham train horses and teach people in a variety of equestrian-related disciplines. Demonstrations and pony rides will be featured all day.

* Freestate Llamas, 17167 Waterloo Road, Amissville: At the corner of Culpeper, Rappahannock and Fauquier counties, the farm breeds about 40 llamas. Visitors will see firsthand how llama fiber is turned into yarn and have the chance to walk a llama.

* Glengary Christmas Tree Farm, 5537 Glengary Lane, Amissville: A third-generation family farm, Glengary converted from raising cattle to trees in 1974. Featured activities will include hay rides, wreath-making demonstrations and presentations on conserving open space, water and soil.

* Morningside Farm & Nursery, 7855 Griffinsburg Road, Boston: Morningside Farm offers perennials, herbs, ornamental and native plants. Growing workshops are hosted regularly throughout the year. Visitors are invited to take a self-guided tour and participate in a scavenger hunt. Herbs and perennials will be available for purchase.

* Old House Vineyards, 18351 Corkys Lane, Stevensburg: With the help of family and friends, the Kearney family began to transform an abandoned farmhouse and the surrounding property into a winery that produces award-winning products. Wine tastings, tours of the cellar and hay rides will be available all weekend, along with other locally themed gifts.

* The Piedmont Railroaders, 113 S. Commerce St. (the Depot): An organization for railroad enthusiasts of all ages, the Piedmont Railroaders was founded in Warrenton in 1995. The organization will have elaborate model train layouts on display in the Depot Saturday and Sunday.

* Platinum Alpacas, 10623 Gravel Road, Brandy Station: Begun in 2004 with three female alpacas, the farm continues to grow today. Visitors will learn firsthand why alpacas are practical livestock pets. Clothing, raw fiber and other gifts will be available for purchase.