Local Farmers Markets, Farmstands and More Agri-Tourism Hot Spots

Jefferson County’s rich agricultural history is vibrantly seen throughout the County through such well-known brands as Jones Dairy Farm & Jones Market (Fort Atkinson), Pickle-In-A-Pouch (Waterloo), Kraemer Wisconsin Cheese, (Watertown), and Crystal Farms (Lake Mills). All organizations have rich histories and connections to their communities, that sustain their reputations as industry leaders as well as major employers.

Jefferson County is also made up of local farms that help sustain some of the area’s premier farm-to-table experiences, including, Sprouting Acres and Cambridge Market Cafe in Cambridge, Brickhaus Café and Edgewater Supper Club in Jefferson. Don’t miss the unique dinner events at Milford Hills in Johnson Creek, where the chefs go out of their way to offer one-of-a-kind wild game menu options you won’t find anywhere else.

One of the ways Jefferson County showcases their proud agricultural heritage is by providing a multi-purpose event facility. The Jefferson County Fair Park is home to a variety of animal events each year including livestock shows, equestrian shows, the Jefferson County Fair and the Jefferson County Dairy Breakfast.

Farmer’s Markets

Most of our communities offer markets where local farmers and artisans assemble to sell their fresh produce, plants, honey, baked goods and much more. Whether it’s a taste of the town or a unique piece of art, do indulge in what we have to offer. Most are seasonal so be sure to plan ahead and watch our event calendar for dates and times of operation.

CommunityWhenWhereDay/Time
Fort Atkinson Farmers MarketMay - OctAcross from Post Office (Milwaukee Ave. E.)Saturdays, 8am-12noon
Jefferson Speedway Bargain FairMid-Apr - Mid-OctW8135 US Hwy 18, Cambridge
Free admission and parking
Sundays, 7am-2pm
Lake Mills Artisan & Farmers MarketMay - OctCommons Park, Downtown Lake Mills1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th Wednesdays of the month, 2-6pm
2nd Wednesday of the month, 4-8pm
Lake Mills Winter MarketDec 2Lake Mills Middle School9am-3pm
Palmyra Farmers MarketMay - SeptBP Parking Lot (162 E Main St.), PalmyraEvery other Monday, 4-7pm
Waterloo Farmer & Artisan MarketJune - SeptTuesdays, 3-7pm
Watertown Farmers MarketMay - OctRiverside Park Parking Lot (850 Labaree St.)Tuesdays, 7am-12noon
Garden Tales Farmers Market WatertownAug - OctWatertown Public Library (Water St.)Thursdays, 3-6pm
Whitewater Farmers MarketMay - OctWhitewater Historical Train DepotSaturdays, 8am-12noon
Whitewater City MarketMay - OctWhitewater Historical Train DepotTuesdays, 4-7pm
Whitewater Indoor MarketNov - AprIrving L. Young LibrarySaturdays, 10am-12noon

Farms and Adventure Farms

Sometimes the best way to get to know farm life, is to check in with a farm family. Dettmann Dairy Farm in Johnson Creek has a large Facebook following and shares what it’s like living and working on a dairy farm. They were also a featured farm in the award-winning exhibition, The Lands We Share, which showcases Wisconsin farm life and history and was curated by UW-Whitewater, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, and UW-Madison.

Many local farms offer tours, such as Hoard’s Dairyman Farm in Fort Atkinson and Jelli’s Market in Helenville, where you can pick your own strawberries!

Living in a city or suburb has its advantages but there certainly aren’t goats or cows walking around that we can experience up close.  Many adventure farms in our area allow you to see how a farm works and meet all the animals. You can even visit Busy Barn Farms in Fort Atkinson when they have new baby lambs, kid goats, chickens, ducks, bunnies, kittens and calves and get the opportunity to visit and feed them.

Hinchley’s Dairy Farm in Cambridge is a real, working dairy farm where you can see how it’s done.  You’ll even get a glimpse of how they’re using robots to help them milk the cows!

In fall, farms become an adventure paradise with games, pumpkin hunting and hay rides.  Be sure to visit our event calendar for the specific dates and times of all the adventures around the county.

NameWhatWhenAddressCommunity
Bypass FarmHorse-drawn Wagon Rides, Food, Craft, Story-Telling, Small animal petting zoo, craft fair, pumpkins and fall decor.Select Dates in OctoberW4857 County Rd TWatertown
Busy Barns Adventure FarmPetting Farm, Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Sunflower Field, Farm Park, Field Trips, Wedding Barn Venue, Special Events VenueSundays in May, Weekends in Sept and OctW7675 U.S. Hwy 12Fort Atkinson
Hinchley's Dairy FarmFamily and Group ToursApril 1 - Oct 31 and Nov-March (Off season)2844 WI-73Cambridge
Paape Family FarmN8248 Hwy OWaterloo
Fort Johnson FarmsHemp Farm for CBD ProductsN653 Old 26 Rd.Fort Atkinson
Hoard's Dairyman Farm CreameryCheese Producer28 Milwaukee Ave. WFort Atkinson
Jelli's MarketGreenhouse, Farm Store, Produce Fields (strawberries, apples, asparagus), Group ToursMay - OctN5648 S. Farmington Rd.Helenville
Karberg Apple OrchardApple pickingSept - Nov355 Hwy 12 and 18Cambridge
Steffen's OrchardsCherries and BlueberriesJuly/AugustN633 McIntyre Rd.Fort Atkinson
Warm Belly FarmStrawberries and ApplesJune - NovW8974 County Rd CFort Atkinson
Schuster’s Playtime FarmZinnia and Sunflower fields, live music, activities and food. Fall Harvest.Fridays-Sundays, July 28 - Aug 271326 US Hwy 12Deerfield

Garden Stores

Avid Gardener has a great selection of things for your garden including annuals, hanging baskets and garden tools in their store in Downtown Cambridge – open year round. Just outside Watertown, Ebert’s Greenhouse in Ixonia has multiple, packed greenhouses and offers tips and ideas on how to care for all your gardens. Their open April 15 through December 31st and even have an amazing winter wonderland during the year-end holidays.

NameWhenAddressCommunity
Avid GardenerOpen Year-Round136 W. Main St.Cambridge
Bypass FarmOpen Mid-April Through Mid June and again in Sept-Oct.
Also Special Holiday Hours in December.
W4857 County Rd TWatertown
Blodgett Pet and Garden CenterOpen Year Round1222 Janesville Ave.Fort Atkinson
Burdick’s GreenhouseOpen Year-RoundW9076 SR 106Busseyville
Watertown GreenhouseMay - Oct225 Arcade Ave.Watertown
Ebert’s Greenhouse VillageApr 15 - Dec 31W1795 Fox Rd.Ixonia

Farmstands, Farm Stores and Specialty Stores

Many of the County’s farm suppliers sell their items direct to you, the consumer. We have an extensive list of farmstands and specialty stores for you to check out and bring home some incredible products!

NameWhatWhenAddressCommunity
Cambridge MarketFarm to Table CafeOpen Year-Round217 W. Main St.Cambridge
Esther Schroeder FarmstandJune - OctW. Main St., across from BankCambridge
Esther Schroeder FarmstandJune - Oct504 S. Main St.Jefferson
Esther Schroeder FarmstandJune - OctCommons ParkLake Mills
Esther Schroeder FarmstandJune - Sept501 E. Main St. (Latte Donatte lot)Watertown
Fendt Brothers Meat MarketMeats, sausage, smoked products, gift boxes.Open Year-Round303 N. 4th St.Watertown
The Fuzzy PigDistinct country mall.Open Year-RoundN8660 Clover Valley RdWhitewater
Glenn’s MarketFresh meat, bratwurst, bakery items and catering.Open Year-Round722 W. Main St.Watertown
Heritage Country MeatsFresh cut meats out of our storefront; custom beef processing; and supplying local restaurant and grocery wholesale accounts.Open Year-RoundN3705 State Rd 89Jefferson
Jelli’s MarketProduce MarketMay - OctN5648 S. Farmington Rd.Helenville
Jones MarketBrats, Natural Casing Weiners, Jones Consumer Products and select specialty foods. Dairy Bar (serving ice cream and sundaes) and a cafe (serving sandwiches and soups)Open Year Round800 Jones Ave.Fort Atkinson
Joe Skelly FarmstandJuly - AugRaceway Food Mart parking lotWhitewater
Kraemer Wisconsin CheeseCheese, sausage, homemade fudge and gift boxes.Open Year-Round1173 N. 4th St.Watertown
Loefer’s Acres FarmstandJuly - OctMain St. at H and 59Palmyra
Maynard Pribbenow FarmstandJune - OctN9660 Peschel Rd.Waterloo
Pernat’s Permium MeatsFull fresh meat case, smoked meats, deli, grocery, walk in beer cave, smoker room and much more. Deer processing.Open Year-Round312 Milwaukee St.
W1194 Marietta Ave.
Johnson Creek
Ixonia
Poyer Orchards Farm MarketApples and homemade pies.Open Year-Round323 N. 4th St.Fort Atkinson
Rivers Edge Farm MarketMeats and Specialty GroceryOpen Year-Round521 South Main St.Jefferson
Simple Life Country StoreFeaturing Amish Style Natural and Organic Bulk Foods, Farm Raised Beef, Produce, Baked Goods, Rolled Butter, Homemade Soap, Canned Goods, Spices, Honey, Gluten Free Products and much more.Open Year-RoundN2795 Ebbert La.Fort Atkinson
Straubhaar’s FarmstandMay - Oct47 Canal Rd.Waterloo

Events

Some of the County’s most creative landscapers can be found on Goat Island in Jefferson (located below the Rock River Dam). Several goats are seasonally brought to the downtown Jefferson island to help keep the grasses and weeds from overgrowing. They have become such a sought-after attraction for Jefferson, that they have developed an annual Goat Fest event in early August.

You’ll find over 70 exhibits at the annual Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, in September at the Fair Park, including fiber arts classes, sheep shows, shearing demos, the Crook and Whistle Stock Dog Trial, newborn lambs, fleece shows, and sales. Plus educational clinics and workshops for shepherds of any age and experience. wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com

We hope you’ll find the many agritourism and agritainment options in Jefferson County worthwhile and tasty! We can’t wait to see you! Be sure to visit enjoyjeffersoncounty.com for the most up-to-date schedules on all events.

Featured Agri-Businesses