Farms aren’t just for growing crops or raising livestock these days. Several central Kentucky landowners are diversifying their product and activities and have created great experiences for adventurous visitors or people wanting to see the beginning of their next meal.

A trip to Lebanon puts you right in the Heart of Agritourism Heaven. Here, you can learn about alpacas, standardbred horses, honey production, ride bulls or have more traditional forms of fun on beautiful acreage or race dirt bikes and ATVs in the knobs.

Lebanon and Marion County landowners are opening their gates, barn doors and fences for you. Come sit a spell… or walk across the pasture… or pet the horses and alpacas… or taste fresh honey…

What you can do…

‘Serenity Farm’ – Owner Tim Auch has created an alpaca fiber farm specializing in breeding, boarding and animal and fiber sales of Suri Alpacas. He’d love to show you around and teach you all about his unique animals. The farm store features finished fiber products such as socks, gloves, scarves, and hats. Visit also ‘Serenity Too’, a scouring plant which takes the raw alpaca fiber and gets it ready for being made into yarn.

Hours: By appointment.

Address:  1380 Frogg Lane, Raywick KY 40060.

Contact: Tel. 270.692.8743, tim@alpacasatserenityfarm.com.

Glasscock Farm – The Glasscocks have combined family properties to create the ultimate dirt bike and ATV race course. Home of the Rolling Fork Run, a leg of the Kentucky Off-Road Hare Scrambles series, Glasscock Farm offers hardcore racing at its finest. Still in the developmental stages and not yet open for general public use, the 2009 Rolling Fork Run drew more than 200 dirt bike and ATV competitors, who flew through the beautiful knobs, splashed through the rushing streams and navigated the rolling terrain of this 600-acre venue. Keep an eye on this one!

Hours: TBA.

Address: 4355 Hwy. 337, Bradfordsville KY 40009.

Contact:glasscockfarm@earthlink.net.

Meadow Creek Farm –Jim Avritt has the premier standardbred farm in central Kentucky.  The jaw-dropping beauty of Meadow Creek Farm is one thing but the guided tour is spellbinding. You’ll meet the horses and learn more about breeding and racing these magnificent pacers and trotters than you could ever imagine. Meadow Creek Farm produced world champion Sportswriter and it’s a real treat to visit the farm when the paddocks are full of playful foals.

Hours: By appointment only, must be made well in advance.

Address: Corner of KY 49 and KY 84.

Contact: 270.692.0021, info@visitlebanonky.com

Heart of Kentucky Downtown Pavilion – This is a traditional farmer’s market with flair. Located right in the heart of historic downtown Lebanon, you’re within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, you’ll find berries, local honey, homemade ice cream and much more to buy than just fresh produce. There are non-traditional sales and fun activities, including cooking events and more. Have fun!

XB Arena – Run by the Ballard Bull Company, this heated venue features bull riding events every Saturday evening. Bring the kids to try out the hilarious Mutton Bustin’ aka. sheep riding, point competitions, a great shop for gifts and a concession stand filled with goodies. XB Arena offers a great family night out and a unique experience for all ages.

Hours: Please call

Address: 1280 Manton Rd., Loretto KY 40037.

Contact: 502.549.5316.

Maker's Mark Distillery– See how yellow corn, red winter wheat, malted barley and limestone spring water are combined to make premium bourbon. The Gift Shop is located in a 19th Century rickhouse and a $2.5 million visitor center enhancement was completed in 2007. The shop features a broad assortment of Maker's Mark and bourbon-themed items and the picturesque grounds surrounding the distillery allow for a unique experience everyone can enjoy.

While visiting the distillery, guests are encouraged to take a guided tour of the property and distillation process followed by a professional sampling of the whiskey in an area known as the Tasting Lounge. This area also presents an opportunity to dip your own bottle of Maker's Mark in red wax at the custom dipping station.

Hours: Mon.-Sat. every hour on the half hour from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sundays at 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. March-Dec.

Address: 3350 Burks Spring Rd., Loretto KY 40037.

Contact: 270.865.2099,sydina.bradshaw@makersmark.com.

Limestone Branch Distillery – Marion County offers an abundance of local grain and essential limestone water necessary for the unique and personal recipes of Steve and Paul Beam’s moonshine! Here a 150-gallon hand hammered copper pot still is used to produce small one-barrel batches of the finest spirits possible. Visit Limestone Lake, great for a picnic, relaxing stroll or peaceful contemplation.

Hours: Tours Mon. – Sat. on the hour 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday  1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter.

Address: 1280 Veterans Memorial Highway, Lebanon KY 40033.

Contact: 270.699.9004

Twinbrook Farm – Charlie and Sharon Browning just want you to have fun and boy do they have some toys. Twinbrook Farm, in partnership with Browning Dairy Farm, is a 600-acre beef and hay farm. But they also rent tents, tables, chairs and inflatables. Give Sharon a call and set up a fun day on the farm for you and your family.

Hours: By appointment.

Address: 2995 Loretto Rd., Lebanon KY 40033.

Contact: 270.692.6669, sharon@partyandtentrentalsllc.com.

Marion County Cattleman’s Association – Hungry? Get ready to eat the best beef you’ll ever have pass your lips. This group rolls out the big cookers and grill, grill, grill. Everything else they prepare is finger licking good, too!

The MCCA supports and promotes beef in Kentucky.

Hours: By appointment.

Address: 830 Arthur Mattingly Rd., Lebanon KY 40033.

Contact: 270.865.2611.

WhiteMoon Winery– A midsummer 2012 opening is planned for WhiteMoon Winery in northern Marion County, Kentucky.  A tasting room and production area will share the 3200 square foot facility.  The fourteen acre winery site is located on Highway 49/Loretto Road and Arthur Mattingly Road, four miles south of Loretto, seven miles north of Lebanon, between Makers’ Mark and Limestone Branch distilleries. Call owner, Alex Ackermann to visit the tasting room and meet winemaker Lisa Wicker.

Hours: By appointment, please call.

Address: (current production/cellar facility) 1390 Old Calvary Pike, Lebanon KY 40033.

Contact: 270.402.1285.