Top Must See Farms And Farmers Markets Near Saugatuck, MI
Indian Summer Is The Most Delicious Season For West Michigan
Indian Summer is the best time to visit the “must see” farms and farmers markets near Saugatuck, MI. Perfect weather lingers well past Labor Day into October bringing warm sunny days and crisp cool nights. It’s harvest time in western Michigan and that means all sorts of special events that celebrate the seasonal bounty. At Wickwood Inn we tempt our guests with harvest-inspired dishes that come straight from the farm to your table. And wonderful local farms and farm markets surround Saugatuck, offering the best of everything.
“Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man.”
~ George Washington
Here’s just a sample of the farms and farmers markets near Saugatuck that you find as you travel the countryside in our area. From cider mills to creameries, our most delicious season awaits you.
Must See Farms Near Saugatuck
Virtue Cider
This local cider mill hand-presses and barrel ages their hard ciders. It’s no wonder Virtue Cider earned a reputation for authenticity. Using all-natural ingredients, the resulting product is fresh, crisp, and complex. Set amidst gorgeous farmland and orchards in Fennville, MI, Virtue Cider is known for its unique events throughout the year. Sign up for their “Friday Night Flights” and learn how to pair cider with your favorite foods, like chocolate and cheese. Their Tap Room and Bottle Shop is the place for sampling and shopping for ciders on draft or in bottles. Don’t miss The Fourth Annual Apple Fest celebrating all things apple, including cider house tours, harvest games, live music and a pig roast.
Evergreen Lane Farm & Creamery
Celebrating their 10th season of crafting goat and cow’s milk cheeses, Evergreen Lane is a truly unique experience. Visit with their adorable goats. Then, wander to their Cheese Shop to sample some of the artisan fare within. Find cheese styles of well-known varieties, such as feta, brie, or camembert, alpine and more. Their craft cheeses have a delicious flavor and texture that comes from careful aging and strict attention to the diets of their herd.
Windshadow Farm & Artisan Cheese
The dream of Ron and Suzanne Klein, this sprawling goat farm located in Bangor, MI is home to a herd of 170 very friendly, very happy, and very spoiled goats. Their dream to open a creamery began in 2010 and came to fruition in October of 2017. Now in full production, the farm produces a variety of fresh goat and cow’s milk cheeses. Awarded Animal Welfare Approved certification, the gold standard among animal farmers, the farm specializes in rich, creamy cheeses. They sell it in food shops and restaurants throughout West Michigan. Locally, you can buy their artisan cheeses at the Butler Pantry Kitchen Shop in Saugatuck.
“Farming isn’t for everyone, but hay, it’s in my jeans.”
~ Anonymous
Pleasant Hill
Open during harvest season for U-Pick blueberries, Pleasant Hill Farm has been in the business of growing organic Michigan blueberries for over 40 years. Their soil is rich with peat and has an environment perfect for cultivating plump, juicy berries. The farm operates “off the grid” with solar and wind-powered energy. Order their blueberries online from September through May, if you miss the U-Pick Season. Pleasant Hill is also known for one more amazing feature. In the early summer, they fill at least one of their fields with a wildflower mix. The show of blooms, meant to feed their bees, is simply spectacular.
Mud Lake Farm
Tours are available at this hydroponic farm by appointment only, but their lettuces feature highly at local farmers markets. And, many of the fine restaurants in the area serve them. There are about 40 varieties at Mud Lake Farm. And, through their Salad Share program, we have access to local, fresh, organic, greenhouse lettuces all year round. Their arugula is just one of many items we use a lot of at Wickwood Inn!
Crane Orchards
Apples, cherries, peaches, and pumpkins are the stars at this U-Pick farm in Fennville, MI. But more than just fruit picking, it’s a fun-for-the-whole family destination. Offering hay rides and cow trains, Crane Orchards’ fall highlight is a corn maze. Crane’s carves a 20-acre corn field into challenging routes and ‘road blocks’. It’s a delightful activity that pleases all ages.
Dee’s Lakeshore Farm
This 40-acre farm, in operation for more than 50 years, lies just east of Lake Michigan in the heart of Michigan farmland. Growing apples, berries, vegetables, and fresh flowers, Dee’s is a local favorite for the abundant produce. They’re also famous for homemade jams and jellies, herbs, and honey. You can pick your own blueberries and raspberries in season. Plus, it’s a great place to pick up free-range farm eggs.
Must See Farmers Markets Near Saugatuck
Pennyroyal Cafe and Provisions Little White Barn
When a chef, a pastry chef and a farmer get together… Pennyroyal’s Little White Barn offers the freshest seasonal produce, artisan cheeses, tea and coffee, along with meats, breads, and more. Local growers and artisan producers, along with their own farm produce grace the Barn’s marketplace. And, inside the restaurant, their casual cafe with an open kitchen serves up breakfast and lunch. They offer familiar favorites and an array of unique sandwiches, soups and salads.
Holland Farmers Market
May through December, the Holland Farmers Market hosts more than 50 vendors offering everything from soup to nuts on Wednesdays and Saturdays. We spend many morning hours at this lovely market for our Farm To Table fare served at the Inn. The variety is outstanding and it’s one of the many places we buy delicious fresh goods from our farmers.
South Haven Farmers Market
On Saturdays through mid-October the South Haven Farmers Market specializes in offering a diverse marketplace of locally produced goods in support of local growers. Founded as a community gathering place, and a feast for the senses for visitors.
Saugatuck Farmers Market
Look for farmers markets near Saugatuck and find none nearer! On Fridays through the end of September, the Saugatuck Farmers Market is small, but special because it’s our own. Conversations with our own local farms and artisan food producers makes a visit here fun. It all takes place in front of the Saugatuck Center For The Arts.
Begin Your Farm & Market Tour With Your Stay At Wickwood Inn
Start planning your farms and farmers market tour in lovely Saugatuck, MI by reserving your stay at Wickwood Inn. And, taste the delicious difference. We happily celebrate freshly picked farm-to-table food with you as our warm Indian Summer season brings on the harvest.