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STEUBENVILLE --The annual Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District's Off the Beaten Path bus tour is scheduled Sept. 8 and will celebrate Jefferson County's natural resources and the landowners who are the real stewards of the land.
A chartered bus will depart from the Jefferson SWCD office, 500 Market Street, at 8 a.m. and will return by 4 p.m. that day.
Passengers first will travel to the north end of Steubenville to the Unity Garden, now in its 11th year. This urban garden provides a place to bring people together to learn to grow plants and vegetables and provides the stage to work toward unifying a community. Guests can meet Justice Slappy and Sister Mary O'Connor and learn how they are teaching life's lessons amid the raised beds of flowers and vegetables.
Also, those with Double-M Tree Farm will host a tour on their 90-plus acre Christmas tree farm located north of Richmond. Three generations of the Bordash family will share details of their day-to-day operations as they prepare their trees for the Christmas season. Guests will learn how to make a live pine wreath as a holiday decoration.
An outdoor lunch will be served at the Mercer family farm located near Bloomingdale. Ross and Docia Mercer purchased the farm in 1915, and raised sheep, chickens, hogs before a dairy operation that continued until 2011. In 2015, the farm was designated as an Ohio Century Farm, and the Mercer family was recognized for its commitment to preserving the agriculture heritage of Ohio. Following the farm-to-table experience, guests will be able to visit with the multi-generation family and enjoy the picturesque farm now in operation for more than 103 years.
The cost of the tour is $40 per person and that includes breakfast refreshments, lunch and snacks.
Reservations can be made by contacting the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District by Aug. 31. All nonrefundable payments must be made by Sept. 4. Seating is limited, as only one bus has been scheduled.
To contact the Jefferson SWCD or to make reservations, call (740) 264-9790 or e-mail imoore@jeffersoncountyoh.com