All farm tours will take place on Saturday, August 16, 2008.

Kidman Tree Farm is a small Choose & Harvest farm that began in 1988. Approximately 1,000 Scotch pines, white pines and pre-cut Fraser firs are sold annually. The Kidmans also grow many deciduous and evergreen trees that are grown in blocks with drip irrigation and a fertilization program and are moved with a Vermeer tree spade. Visitors will tour their expanded gift shop, pet their reindeer, Mistletoe, and experience their indoor and outdoor G-scale train displays.

Tour #2 continues to the Howell Tree Farm, consisting of 40 acres of Scotch pine, white pine and Canaan fir first planted in 1963. The farm sells about 2,000 trees and 500 wreaths, swags and centerpieces each year. The Howells also grow evergreens and deciduous trees for transplanting. Visitors will also tour their greenhouse and floral operation, which features acres of flowers that are dried and sold in the antique 1910 barn/gift shop. Greenhouse crops are also sold in the spring.

The tour concludes with a drive through Madison County, Iowa. Madison County has been made famous as the birthplace of actor John Wayne and as home to six covered bridges built in the late 1800s.

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