You can chose to walk the paths of the John Nieman Nursery and Christmas Tree Farm, 3215 Hamilton New London Road, located in the quiet and picturesque valley near Dry Fork Creek in Ross Township of Butler County, Ohio.

If you choose, you could stop by the Francis’ family Alpaca Corner, 4403 Cincinnati Brookville Road, near the Welsh settlement of Shandon in Morgan Township.

These are just two of the six farms open to the public, at no cost to you.

It is a great way to spend an early October afternoon, available to anyone who wants to see a farm in action.

Please be our guest, on this drive-it-yourself “Welcome to the Farm” tour being held on Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

John and Marilyn Nieman have raised six species of Christmas trees and nursery plants for landscaping on their farm since 1962.
They plant 6,000 baby seedling trees each spring.  You will be able to see a demonstration of the technique used to get a tree ready for you to use as a Christmas ornament or to add beauty to your landscape.

You can visit the farm Christmas store and see a Christmas wreath made from the branches of a tree.

Did you know a Christmas tree is sheared for at least four years before it is ready to be used in your home?

There are several other agriculture groups that will have displays at the stop.

You will be able to see live honeybees, sheep, rabbits, chickens, goats and many other small animals.

The ancestors of John and daughters Mary and Sally Francis came to Shandon from Wales in 1795. The family began to raise registered Huacayas Alpacas in 2003 and they love it.

You will be able to feel the fine fleece that is sheared from the 11 adult animals each spring.

If all goes well, there should be two babies born in September.  The babies are called Crias and are the cutest things you have ever seen with their long necks and gigantic eyes. 

The Francis family operates the Periwinkle House in Shandon and sells clothing made from the fleece at the store, but will have a selection of gloves, hats, scarves, socks, sweaters, and even teddy bears which promotes the alpaca fiber industry at the farm for this weekend event.

For a brochure with a description of all six farms and a map to the locations, go to www.butler.osu.edu, or call Ohio State University Extension in Butler County at 513-887-3722, or call Butler Soil & Water Conservation District at 513-887-3720.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Steve Bartels may write to him in care of this publication.