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Frequently Asked Questions

Q:

What is the Step Out Agriventure Trail?

A:

The trail is a year-round shopping and outdoor fun experience for all ages. It is a collection of businesses and farms across Morgan County, Alabama, that have come together to promote local agriculture and their fellow local businessmen.

Q:

Where is the Trail?

A:

The Trail isn’t actually a confined span of distance or at one location. We are rather a collection of individual farms, makers, markets, and outdoor experiences within Morgan County, Alabama, that Trail guests can travel to visit.

Q:

What can I do on the Trail?

A:

There’s lots to do on the Trail! We have many local farms you can visit or order fresh food from, a handful of local restaurants and bakeries, and outdoor parks and recreational sites where you can relax and soak in some sun.

Q:

When is the Trail open?

A:

Since the Trail is a collection of independent venues, operating hours depend on each individual business or farmer. Most venues are open throughout the week and on weekends, but others have limited hours or are open by appointment only. You can visit each venue’s profile to see their business hours and contact information.

Q:

Does it cost anything to visit the Trail?

A:

For most venues, there is no cost to visit.  You can browse the stores and their displays for free. Our outdoor experience venues however do charge entrance fees. For more information on our outdoor venues, you can view their venue profiles here, or visit their websites and Facebook pages.

Q:

Can I join the Trail?

A:

If you are a grower, maker, or an outdoor exploration provocateur in Morgan County, we’d love to have you! You can check out this PDF for requirements to join the Trail and what joining will mean for you.

Q:

Can I enjoy the Trail with my entire family?

A:

Absolutely! We believe that everyone should get out and enjoy all that Morgan County has to offer. Our venues have something for every age to enjoy, and we also have a scavenger hunt children can do to help them explore local agriculture.

Q:

What is the Step Out Scavenger Hunt?

A:

The Step Out Scavenger Hunt is a fun, family-oriented activity designed to help kids explore local agriculture. On the Hunt, you’ll visit 7 of our venues and find 7 scavenger hunt items in order to win prizes. See our scavenger hunt page for more.

Q:

How do I start the Step Out Scavenger Hunt?

A:

First, you’ll need to make an account on our website so we can help you keep track of which items you’ve found. After that, you can start the Hunt by visiting any one of our participating venues and searching for scavenger hunt items. You can find items in any order you’d like! See our scavenger hunt page for more information on how to complete the Hunt.

Q:

Why shop local?

A:

There are many benefits to shopping and buying local.  For one, the produce is often the freshest and tastiest you can get. Local produce too is often pesticide and hormone/antibiotic free. Smaller crop and herd sizes also allow farmers to treat illness individually instead of administering blanket treatments (please check venue websites for specific care information). Also, shopping local ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested in your community, helping it to strengthen and grow. (https://www.independentwestand.org/what-happens-when-you-shop-local/)

Q:

What makes local produce different?

A:

In general, our local crop farmers grow produce in smaller, more manageable quantities, which allows some to treat their crops with fewer to no chemicals. Additionally, since our farmers sell to the surrounding community, they can harvest produce at its peak flavor and ripeness.

The smaller size of our meat operations allows them to raise stock primarily on grass and other natural foods without hormone or antibiotic laced feed. This smaller operating size also allows our farmers to spot treat sick livestock, making things safer for both us and the animals.

You can check each venue’s profile or website to see if they have more information on their growing and nurturing practices. Across the board, our farmers have what’s best for the crop, animal, and consumer in mind. They are more than just farmers: they are caretakers.  (https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means)