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.
Community | When | Where | Day/Time |
---|---|---|---|
Fort Atkinson Farmers Market | May - Oct | Across from Post Office (Milwaukee Ave. E.) | Saturdays, 8am-12noon |
Jefferson Speedway Bargain Fair | Mid-Apr - Mid-Oct | W8135 US Hwy 18, Cambridge Free admission and parking | Sundays, 7am-2pm |
Lake Mills Artisan & Farmers Market | May - Oct | Commons Park, Downtown Lake Mills | 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th Wednesdays of the month, 2-6pm 2nd Wednesday of the month, 4-8pm |
Lake Mills Winter Market | Dec 2 | Lake Mills Middle School | 9am-3pm |
Palmyra Farmers Market | May - Sept | BP Parking Lot (162 E Main St.), Palmyra | Every other Monday, 4-7pm |
Waterloo Farmer & Artisan Market | June - Sept | Tuesdays, 3-7pm | |
Watertown Farmers Market | May - Oct | Riverside Park Parking Lot (850 Labaree St.) | Tuesdays, 7am-12noon |
Garden Tales Farmers Market Watertown | Aug - Oct | Watertown Public Library (Water St.) | Thursdays, 3-6pm |
Whitewater Farmers Market | May - Oct | Whitewater Historical Train Depot | Saturdays, 8am-12noon |
Whitewater City Market | May - Oct | Whitewater Historical Train Depot | Tuesdays, 4-7pm |
Whitewater Indoor Market | Nov - Apr | Irving L. Young Library | Saturdays, 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.
Name | What | When | Address | Community |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bypass Farm | Horse-drawn Wagon Rides, Food, Craft, Story-Telling, Small animal petting zoo, craft fair, pumpkins and fall decor. | Select Dates in October | W4857 County Rd T | Watertown |
Busy Barns Adventure Farm | Petting Farm, Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Sunflower Field, Farm Park, Field Trips, Wedding Barn Venue, Special Events Venue | Sundays in May, Weekends in Sept and Oct | W7675 U.S. Hwy 12 | Fort Atkinson |
Hinchley's Dairy Farm | Family and Group Tours | April 1 - Oct 31 and Nov-March (Off season) | 2844 WI-73 | Cambridge |
Paape Family Farm | N8248 Hwy O | Waterloo | ||
Fort Johnson Farms | Hemp Farm for CBD Products | N653 Old 26 Rd. | Fort Atkinson | |
Hoard's Dairyman Farm Creamery | Cheese Producer | 28 Milwaukee Ave. W | Fort Atkinson | |
Jelli's Market | Greenhouse, Farm Store, Produce Fields (strawberries, apples, asparagus), Group Tours | May - Oct | N5648 S. Farmington Rd. | Helenville |
Karberg Apple Orchard | Apple picking | Sept - Nov | 355 Hwy 12 and 18 | Cambridge |
Steffen's Orchards | Cherries and Blueberries | July/August | N633 McIntyre Rd. | Fort Atkinson |
Warm Belly Farm | Strawberries and Apples | June - Nov | W8974 County Rd C | Fort Atkinson |
Schuster’s Playtime Farm | Zinnia and Sunflower fields, live music, activities and food. Fall Harvest. | Fridays-Sundays, July 28 - Aug 27 | 1326 US Hwy 12 | Deerfield |
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.
Name | When | Address | Community |
---|---|---|---|
Avid Gardener | Open Year-Round | 136 W. Main St. | Cambridge |
Bypass Farm | Open Mid-April Through Mid June and again in Sept-Oct. Also Special Holiday Hours in December. | W4857 County Rd T | Watertown |
Blodgett Pet and Garden Center | Open Year Round | 1222 Janesville Ave. | Fort Atkinson |
Burdick’s Greenhouse | Open Year-Round | W9076 SR 106 | Busseyville |
Watertown Greenhouse | May - Oct | 225 Arcade Ave. | Watertown |
Ebert’s Greenhouse Village | Apr 15 - Dec 31 | W1795 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!
Name | What | When | Address | Community |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cambridge Market | Farm to Table Cafe | Open Year-Round | 217 W. Main St. | Cambridge |
Esther Schroeder Farmstand | June - Oct | W. Main St., across from Bank | Cambridge | |
Esther Schroeder Farmstand | June - Oct | 504 S. Main St. | Jefferson | |
Esther Schroeder Farmstand | June - Oct | Commons Park | Lake Mills | |
Esther Schroeder Farmstand | June - Sept | 501 E. Main St. (Latte Donatte lot) | Watertown | |
Fendt Brothers Meat Market | Meats, sausage, smoked products, gift boxes. | Open Year-Round | 303 N. 4th St. | Watertown |
The Fuzzy Pig | Distinct country mall. | Open Year-Round | N8660 Clover Valley Rd | Whitewater |
Glenn’s Market | Fresh meat, bratwurst, bakery items and catering. | Open Year-Round | 722 W. Main St. | Watertown |
Heritage Country Meats | Fresh cut meats out of our storefront; custom beef processing; and supplying local restaurant and grocery wholesale accounts. | Open Year-Round | N3705 State Rd 89 | Jefferson |
Jelli’s Market | Produce Market | May - Oct | N5648 S. Farmington Rd. | Helenville |
Jones Market | Brats, 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 Round | 800 Jones Ave. | Fort Atkinson |
Joe Skelly Farmstand | July - Aug | Raceway Food Mart parking lot | Whitewater | |
Kraemer Wisconsin Cheese | Cheese, sausage, homemade fudge and gift boxes. | Open Year-Round | 1173 N. 4th St. | Watertown |
Loefer’s Acres Farmstand | July - Oct | Main St. at H and 59 | Palmyra | |
Maynard Pribbenow Farmstand | June - Oct | N9660 Peschel Rd. | Waterloo | |
Pernat’s Permium Meats | Full fresh meat case, smoked meats, deli, grocery, walk in beer cave, smoker room and much more. Deer processing. | Open Year-Round | 312 Milwaukee St. W1194 Marietta Ave. | Johnson Creek Ixonia |
Poyer Orchards Farm Market | Apples and homemade pies. | Open Year-Round | 323 N. 4th St. | Fort Atkinson |
Rivers Edge Farm Market | Meats and Specialty Grocery | Open Year-Round | 521 South Main St. | Jefferson |
Simple Life Country Store | Featuring 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-Round | N2795 Ebbert La. | Fort Atkinson |
Straubhaar’s Farmstand | May - Oct | 47 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.