From juicy peaches to vine ripe watermelons, yellow daffodils to pink azaleas, plump redwww.sc-heritagecorridor.org. Brochures with dates and descriptions of each tomatoes to tender green beans, you can certainly shed away the winter gloom and watch spring burst to life at the farms along the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor (SCNHC).

From April to July, the award winning Heritage Corridor Farmer’s Association (HCFA) is sponsoring a series of weekend festivals to provide a fun, family oriented experience to the visitors and residents of South Carolina while educating them on the practices of farming. Elizabeth Harm, Director of Marketing and Visitor Services for the SCNHC, said that the farms of the Heritage Corridor offer educational fun for the entire family. “Children love riding the Emerald Farm Express, meeting the goats of Split Creek, or biting into fresh South Carolina fruits and vegetables. Adults will enjoy it too,” Harm stated. “Families should take this opportunity to enjoy a friendly farm. Since the festivals are throughout the entire Heritage Corridor, there are at least a few festivals within easy driving distance for all South Carolinians.”

Participating sites are: Johnston’s Edgefield County Peach Museum, Pendleton District Agricultural Museum in Pendleton, Split Creek Farm, LCC in Anderson, Gurosik’s Berry Plantation in North Augusta, Bee City Honey Bee Farm in Cottageville, Lucky Acres Farm in Townville, The Barn at Big Sky Farm in Honea Path, Charleston Tea Plantation on Wadmalaw Island, Broken Wing Farm in Honea Path, High Grove Farm in Kirksey, Cedar Ridge Farm in Pendleton, Happy Cow Creamery in Pelzer, Legare Farms on Johns Island, Callaham Orchards in Belton, Greenwood’s Emerald Farm, The Happy Berry in Six Mile and Aiken County Farmer’s Market in Aiken.

For more information on the “Discover Agriculture” Spring festival lineup, contact Elizabeth Harm (803) 608-0501or visit site’s festival are available online, at welcome centers and other selected outlets in the 14 counties or upon request.

The HCFA is the recent recipient of the Bundy Award, a prestigious award given to recognize an outstanding local or regional program that is successful in extending the full benefits of tourism to the rural areas of South Carolina. The HCFA was formed in 2003 and has developed brochures, acquired grant funding for marketing efforts and currently posts its membership information and events on the Heritage Corridor website.

The Heritage Corridor Farmer’s Association is one of the many programs of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor. The SCNHC extends 240 miles across the state, from the mountains of Oconee County, along the Savannah River, to the port city of Charleston. Chosen as a National Heritage Area in 1996, the Corridor contains historical, cultural, and natural resources that tell the vibrant story of South Carolina’s centuries long evolution and culture.