McKellar Family Farms is a non-profit organization in Ivanhoe, CA, offering group wagon tours of its 182-acre working citrus farm. Since 2015, they have hosted thousands of visitors on their farm—including tourists, local students, and community members—and they aim to reach thousands more through the development of a Self-Guided Walking Tour, set to open in the spring of 2018.
The Central Valley may be one of the most agriculturally rich regions in the nation, but surprisingly, it lacks authentic agricultural experiences where visitors can get a behind-the-scenes look at a working farm. That’s where McKellar Family Farms comes in. With close to two million tourists coming to Tulare County to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks each year, McKellar Family Farms aims to educate people from around the world about the citrus industry.
While McKellar Farm Farms’ group wagon tours have been successful in educating many visitors about agriculture, a self-guided walking tour would allow them to open their doors to an estimated 30,000 guests, many of whom have never stepped foot on a farm before. During the tour, visitors will take a journey on the farm, exploring a variety of informational and interactive exhibits, all focusing around the citrus industry.
“We’re looking forward to where McKellar Family Farms is headed,” said Farmer Bob McKellar, CEO of McKellar Family Farms. “We’re not in it for the money. We just want to share our farm with people.”
As a non-profit, McKellar Family Farms is seeking funds to open the walking tour in spring 2018. They already have the designated space for the tour, complete with several structures, security fencing, public restrooms, and more. With the community’s support, McKellar Family Farms can help bring agritourism to Tulare County.
For more information about McKellar Family Farms or to donate toward the development of the Self-Guided Walking Tour, visit mckellarfamilyfarms.com, call (559) 731-7925, or email info@mckellarfarms.com. If you are interested in organizing a wagon tour for your group, you must schedule it in advance by calling or emailing our office. Hours of operation vary.