Fall on the Farm

Agritourism adventures offer a taste of the season in Virginia and Maryland

October 2026

Bright orange pumpkins and other baskets of fall produce sit on and around bales of hay

Fall is the perfect time to explore Virginia and Maryland’s agricultural roots. (Vecteezy Photo)

by Laura Emery, Staff Writer

Crisp, cool air, colorful leaves and the promise of pumpkins, apples and fresh farm treats make fall the perfect time to explore Virginia and Maryland’s agricultural roots. Agritourism brings visitors young and old onto working farms and orchards, providing a firsthand look at where food is grown along with opportunities for memorable seasonal experiences. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, here are a few places to experience fall on the farm:

An aerial image of red barn, white tent, farm equipment, and lines of produce at Counsell Farms

(Councell Farms photo)

COUNCELL FARMS, Cordova, Md.

Located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Councell Farms has been selling farm-fresh fruits and vegetables since 1981. Fall visitors can pick pumpkins from the pumpkin patch and explore the aptly called Field of Fun, which includes a corn maze, jumping pillow, combine slide and more. A farm market and creamery also offer homegrown seasonal fruits and vegetables, pumpkins, mums, local honey, cheeses and sweet treats. The family-owned farm is just north of Easton in Talbot County. Councellfarms.com

A pyramid of wooden crates each contain pumpkins, squash or other fall produce. A sign in the shape of an old green truck carrying large tomatoes sports a sign saying Drumheller's Orchard.

(Drumheller’s Orchard photo)

DRUMHELLER’S ORCHARD, Lovingston, Va.

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this family-owned Nelson County orchard has roots dating back to 1937. Fall brings fresh-picked apples, fresh donuts and warm cider, along with mountain scenery and the orchard’s Apple Harvest Festivals, featuring live music, crafts, food and family activities. Drumhellersorchard.com

Farm market building seen in distance behind rows of large wooden crates containing colorful produce and lines of fall plants

(Emily’s Produce photo)

EMILY’S PRODUCE, Cambridge, Md.

For more than two decades, Emily’s Produce has connected visitors with agriculture on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The Dorchester County farm offers pumpkin fields, activity areas, a corn maze, homegrown produce, flowers and locally sourced products. As one Yelp reviewer noted, “A quick produce run turned into a two-hour family hostage situation, and I regret nothing.” Emilysproduce.com

Wagon on display with scarecrow and baskets sports blue sign reading Goose Hill Farm, Franklin, Virginia

(Goose Hill Farm photo)

GOOSE HILL FARM, Franklin, Va.

For a traditional Southside Virginia farm experience, Goose Hill Farm in Southampton County offers pick-yourown pumpkins and gourds during the fall season. Wander through the pumpkin patch, get lost in the corn maze, shop seasonal favorites and enjoy a relaxed family outing on the family-run farm, which has been around since 1978. Goosehillfarmva.com

Bright apples spill over from inside a basket onto a grassy area in front of a box labeled Quality Fruit that also contains apples

(Great Country Farms photo)

GREAT COUNTRY FARMS, Bluemont, Va.

With the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, the 400-acre working family farm offers an activity-filled take on fall agritourism. Visitors can pick apples and pumpkins, tackle a corn maze, watch pig races, interact with farm animals, enjoy a hayride and attend seasonal events (Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival, Pumpkin Chunkin’, LoCo Cider Fest). Greatcountryfarms.com