Deidra Bowling-Meade
The Ashland Beacon
Celebrate the 11th Heritage Harvest Tour of Appalachia on Saturday, September 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., where the self-guided driving tour will take you to nine different destinations in Lawrence and Boyd counties. Laura Maggard, Agriculture and Natural Resource Extension Agent for the Lawrence County Extension Office, proudly helps plan this event annually. This is Maggard’s tenth year helping with the tour, and she estimates that 6,000-8,000 individuals attend the Heritage Harvest Tour. If you’ve never experienced this adventure, definitely make plans to attend this year!
Maggard finds her job with the Lawrence County Extension Office rewarding because it’s all about helping the community. Maggard explained, “Helping families and individuals better their lives is what keeps us going.” The Heritage Harvest Tour provides a wonderful opportunity for others to see how special these Eastern Kentucky counties are. This event provides exposure to places that several people may have never been. It’s an opportunity for the community to showcase what they have to offer and keep the legacy of Appalachia alive.
Maggard stated, “we want folks to see old fashion demonstrations, hear folk music, shop for antiques and fall decor, and eat home cooked meals. We do not allow stops to serve hamburgers and hotdogs. Tour goers will get biscuits and gravy, fried apples, sauerkraut and wieners, cornbread, apple cider, and more!” Maggard continued, “The tour starts and stops wherever you want; there is no set schedule you follow. It is a great family fall event that has activities for all ages. It gets folks out in the country with little to no cell service where they can see and do things that they normally don't get to at other fall events. It's a way for kids to learn how things were done many years ago and for some brings back good memories of their childhood.”
Boyd County tour stops include the Durbin Farm Sorghum, Eden’s Harvest, The BlackHorse Farm and Mount Olive Freewill Baptist Church. Visitors can start their morning enjoying a delicious breakfast from 7 a.m. to Noon at Mount Olive Freewill Baptist Church. Next, enjoy learning about the heritage of Appalachia through the many farm activities planned, as well as more delicious cooking. Lawrence County tour stops include five places in Louisa such as Kentucky Roots, Farmhouse Memories, 4 Got N Tymes Farm, Baker Chapel Church and Savage Farms. Visitors will find plenty of antiques, home decor, and even more homemade goodies, such as maple syrup and candy.
The Boyd County and Lawrence County Extension Offices are in charge of planning this event. Those interested in being part of the tour must fill out an application. A committee then looks over the applications to see if they are along the planned route and represent the theme of the tour. They are always looking for people interested in celebrating Appalachian heritage, so reach out to the Boyd and Lawrence County Extension Offices if you would like more information.
As Appalachians, we should embrace our legacy to become the best we can. American author, Og Mandino once said, “Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.” The Heritage Harvest Tour provides that opportunity by showcasing the growth and ancestry of the Appalachian region. Make every effort to join the festivities on September 24.