Gooseberry Bridge Farm offers timed appointments to get hands-on with adorable animals.
Life
Our Picks for Farms to Visit in Southwest Missouri
Anyone lucky enough to own a chunk of land will tell you that southwest Missouri's countryside offers some of the region’s most beautiful scenes. Lucky for the rest of us, several Ozarks farms set on these idyllic plots open their gates to guests.
by Katie Pollock Estes
May 2024
Photo by Morgan Lea Photography
Choose a Local Farm to Visit
Gooseberry Bridge Farm
177 Elm Grove Road, Rogersville
When you visit Gooseberry Bridge Farm on the outskirts of Rogersville, you’ll definitely meet some goats, bunnies and pigs. And we bet you’ll meet a member of the Hill family too.
Owners Jeremy and Staci Hill are often out and about on the property with their six kids in tow, interacting with visitors and answering questions along with other family members. Walking around at Gooseberry Bridge Farm feels a lot like visiting some friendly neighbors excited to tell you all about the peaceful little world they’ve created on their farm.
Our favorite way to visit Gooseberry Bridge Farm: Head to the farm’s website and sign up for a Baby Animal Playdate. They sell tickets for timed appointments to ensure the animal’ spaces aren’t overcrowded with too many visitors, but once you are there, you can take your time and enjoy the snuggles. There are baby bunnies (in baskets!), baby goats, fluffy lambs and little rolly polly spotted piglets that you are welcome to pick up, cuddle and interact with. If you look outside those baby animal pens, you might also catch a glimpse of some chickens, a fluffy white farm dog and other critters that live around the property.
After getting all the dopamine infusions you can handle from those sweet little animals, head over to the flower fields to pick a bouquet to purchase and bring home with you. Summer flower picking begins in mid-June.
There’s also a small farm store where you can purchase products made by the Hill family, like goat milk soap and other body products, honey, eggs and chicken.
Families can also enjoy summer flower picking starting in mid-June.
Photos by Morgan Lea Photography
Cassidy Station at Estes Farms
5176 N. Fremont Ave., Nixa
You know a farm is special if it’s been a part of a single family’s legacy for more than 150 years. Lucky for us, the family behind Cassidy Station at Estes Farms has made the decision to develop it into a community gathering place all of southwest Missouri can enjoy.
The farm is currently owned by Kyle Estes and Hollie Estes. Kyle’s great-great-great grandparents Pleasant Green Estes and Sarah Estes were the first of their family to live on the land after moving there in 1872. Since purchasing the land, Kyle and Hollie have been lovingly restoring the property to create a space open to all.
What does that mean for visitors? Well, this scenic farm is now home to Cassidy Mercantile, Cassidy Flower Co., a private event space and a growing list of community events. Recently, Cassidy Station hosted a spring farm-to-table dinner (with food prepared by Metropolitan Grill’s Pat Duran), as well as a seed-starting workshop. Last September, their Fall Market Days event brought in food trucks, live musicians, vendors and more. Keep an eye on their calendar for more good stuff.
The mercantile is located inside the farm’s 150-year-old farmhouse, and it sells a variety of curated products like hand soaps, shampoo bars, candles, home decor and lots of other handcrafted goods—all with a bit of a chic farmhouse vibe. There’s even a little coffee shop on-site offering the farm’s own coffee blend.
Our favorite part, though, is Cassidy Flower Co. It’s a place where you can get creative, putting together a bouquet from the flower bar or joining a floral design class—in addition to simply ordering a bouquet to gift to a loved one.
Whether you come to admire the restoration, shop or learn—make sure you take a moment to take in the view, say hi to the horses and bask in the history.
Since purchasing the land, owners Kyle and Hollie Estes have been lovingly restoring the property to create a space open to the whole community.
Purchase Photo
Make sure you take a moment to take in the view, say hi to the horses at Cassidy Station.
Photos by Leah Stiefermann
Local Farms Where You Can Pet Animals
If furry friends are your favorite friends, these three farms let you mingle with the animals.
Mala Koza Farm
Located in Fordland
Here you don’t just get to pet the animals. You get to work out with them. Sign up for a Goat Yoga class featuring Nigerian Dwarf goats. You can also book a 30-minute goat gram, during which the Mala Koza farm team will bring baby goats right to you for some easy-access cuddling.
Gooseberry Bridge Farm
Located in Rogersville
At this family farm you can book a session to hang out with several types of oh-so-adorable baby farm animals. (The fluffy bunnies are our very favorite, but the playful goats are a close second.)
Sycamore Creek Family Ranch
Located in Branson
There’s a lot of fun to be had at Sycamore Creek Family Ranch, and some low-key quality time meeting goats, llamas, chickens and more is just one part. Come to the farm for one of their events, but make sure you venture to the animal area too.
Sycamore Creek Family Ranch
2567 Sunset Inn Road, Branson
The setting is everything here, no matter which community events you’re attending. Although the 272-acre Sycamore Creek Family Ranch’s location isn’t far from downtown Branson, it feels like it’s a journey away from the hustle and bustle.
Sycamore Creek hosts weddings and other private events, but the family-friendly community events are what will draw you in on any given summer night. Barn dances are popular, regularly selling out and offering guests the chance to line dance in a spacious barn—and to catch a glimpse of the 360-degree view sunsets.
In the past, the farm has also hosted pizza nights, painting classes and an activity-packed fall fest that’s a must-do after summer winds down. Keep an eye on their site to see what’s coming up.
A more recent addition to the property is the circle of Conestoga glamping wagons that surround a cozy fire pit. You can do your best Oregon Trail recreation (minus the dysentery, of course) and spend the night surrounded by the outdoors and the comforts of home. The wagons have full bathrooms, heating and air conditioning, and other amenities.
Our recommendation: Book a night in a wagon, take in the hilltop view as you play some lawn games outside the barn, and then spend your evening a little outside your comfort zone at one of the ranch’s barn dances. You’ll get the best of everything at the farm and maybe learn new dance moves along the way.
Sycamore Creek hosts weddings, private events and family-friendly community events.
Spend an evening a little outside your comfort zone at one of the ranch’s barn dances.
Photos by Morgan Lea Photography
Local Farms Where You Can Pick Flowers
Here are eight places to hand-pick fresh flowers in southwest Missouri.
Stone Hill Flower Farm
1049 W. Stonehill Road, Ozark
Don’t Miss This Flower: Dahlia
Stone Hill’s you-pick experiences start in the month of July. There’s also an honor-system farmstand on the property that is stocked with fresh flowers, veggies grown on-site and homemade pastries.
Pa’s Posey Patch
21501 Farm Road 1120, Cassville
Don’t Miss This Flower: Poppies
This low-key you-pick destination grows a variety of flowers through the season, from early-season daffodils to fiery red poppies at the end of this month and sunflowers as the season winds down later on.
Willow Spring Farm Co.
932 Keithley Road, Walnut Shade
Don’t Miss This Flower: Tulips
Pick your season to visit. In the summer, it’s all about you-pick flowers. In the fall, you can pick apples too. And keep this info for next spring, so you can visit during tulip season in April. They have them in every color!
Gooseberry Bridge Farm
177 Elm Grove Road, Rogersville
Don’t Miss This Flower: Zinnia
Tulip and daffodil season ends in April, and summer flower picking starts in mid-June. You can find a lot of flower types here, but the zinnias in every color win us over every single time. So pretty!
Gardener’s Orchard
4455 W. Farm Road 2, Brighton
Don’t Miss This Flower: Zinnia
Gardener’s gets a lot of love for its fall events, but don’t sleep on their flower fields! In late summer, you’ll start to see zinnias and sunflowers. Come back in the spring for tulips and other early season flowers.
The Hilltop Farm
4038 Bear Creek Road, Reeds Spring
Don’t Miss This Flower: Scabiosa
Located at a hilltop (hence the name) log cabin in Reeds Spring, this small farm has just six rows of flower beds, but they are bursting with color! You can fill a vase with blooms for $20.
Golden Grove Farms
4950 E. State Hwy. KK, Fair Grove
Don’t Miss This Flower: Sunflower
Depending on the weather, sunflowers might be at their peak in July or August. So check back throughout the season, then head over to pick stems in a wild variety of big, beautiful sunflower types!
Black & Blue Berry Farm
5313 S. Farm Road 241, Rogersville
Don’t Miss This Flower: Lavender
You might have visited this spot to pick berries. But did you know you can pick lavender here too? The fragrant blooms are great for popping into a bouquet to display at home, or using in cooking and projects.
Gardener’s Orchard
4455 W. Farm Road 2, Brighton
Gardener’s Orchard & Bakery was originally owned by Cornelius Gradinariu, an immigrant from Romania who settled on land that’s now home to the 43-acre Gardener’s Orchard. Although Cornelius passed away in 2021, the business is still very much a family affair, as relatives continue to carry the torch, creating fun-filled farm experiences for all their guests.
And the experience you have at Gardener’s Orchard & Bakery depends a lot on when you visit. It’s most well-known for its Fall on the Farm events, but summer is an equally fun time to be there. You’ll swap out pumpkins for fresh berries and gorgeous flowers—but you’ll still get to enjoy all the other perks of the farm.
Those perks include the on-site bakery slinging fresh pies, donuts and other treats. There’s a small concessions menu of hearty fare like burgers and kettle corn. And there’s a sunny field full of kid-friendly activities like a jump pad, a barrel train, a bubble station, an enormous slide and lots more.
So now that you know you’ll be visiting in the summer, how do you pick exactly when to show up? We think that depends on what you’re hungry for.
If it’s berries, come in May and June. That’s when the farm rolls out a rainbow of the sweet stuff, with strawberries that are followed by blackberries and blueberries. You can even get a fresh strawberry float, which is dreamy and refreshing on a hot summer day.
If you’re in the mood to bite into a fresh, juicy, southwest Missouri-grown peach, you’ll want to plan your visit for July. And if you’d rather add a little beauty to your home than pick fruit to stock your pantry, then hold off until late summer for zinnia and sunflower picking—or come back next spring for the late-March tulip festival.
No matter when you show up, you can expect the same sunny scene and big fun.
May and June is when Gardener's Orchard offers strawberries, followed by blackberries and blueberries.
Peaches are best picked at Gardener's Orchard in July.
Photos by Marianna Limon Photography
Looking for Local Farmers Markets?
We've got you covered. See our roundup of farmers markets in and around Springfield, Missouri.
Local Farms Where You Can Pick Fruit and Berries
Here are seven southwest Missouri farms offering pick-your-own berries and fruit.
Gardener’s Orchard & Bakery
When to Pick:
• May for strawberries
• June for blueberries and blackberries
• July for peaches
Know Before You Go: After you work up an appetite picking berries or peaches, make sure you head over to the farm’s bakery and concession area to fill up on snacks, burgers and baked goods that often utilize those tasty, fresh berries from the farm.
Find It: 4455 W. Farm Road 2, Brighton
Sunshine Valley Farm
When to Pick:
• June for blueberries
• July for blackberries
• September–October for apples
Know Before You Go: In addition to excellent fruit picking and a small farmstand, Sunshine Valley Farm is also home to Harvest Restaurant. So you can end your day of picking with a little fine dining if you time things just right.
Find It: 8125 E. Hwy. AD, Rogersville
Persimmon Hill Farm
When to Pick:
• June–July for blueberries and blackberries
Know Before You Go: The baked goods are second-to-none here. The enormous Thunder Muffins are the OG goodie, especially when ordered with ice cream and blueberry sauce as the Cumulobluebus. But the blueberry scones are our newest obsession. Dare we say we like them even more than the Thunder Muffins?
Find It: 367 Persimmon Hill Lane, Lampe
Missouri Berries
When to Pick:
• May for strawberries
• June for blueberries
Know Before You Go: Missouri Berries offers you-pick fruit of course. But they also make some excellent homemade donuts—fresh every day! During strawberry season, grab a strawberry lemonade slushie or strawberry lemonade to quench your thirst after a morning of picking.
Find It: 2097 State Hwy. PP, Republic
Black & Blue Berry Farm
When to Pick:
• June–July for blueberries and blackberries
Know Before You Go: In addition to picking fresh berries, you can also pick lavender at this sweet little farm. The spot also offers lots of family-friendly farm games, lavender plant starts, a shop selling lavender products and live music. Bonus for animal-lovers: Kids can feed the chickens too.
Find It: 5313 S Farm Rd. 241, Rogersville
Boz’s Berry Farm
When to Pick:
• May for strawberries
• August for pears
Know Before You Go: We love that this spot offers a fruit we don’t often see available for you-pick: pears. Come early in the season to stock up on fresh strawberries, then shift your attention to pears in August as the summer winds down.
Find It: 13920 State Hwy. TT, Republic
Finley Farms
802 Finley Farms Lane, Ozark
Finley Farms is one of those spots that gets better every year, and it absolutely lives up to the legacy and lore of the land it sits on. If you’re from Ozark or anywhere nearby, then you know how beloved the Finley River is—along with the historical sites that have lived near its banks.
One of those sites is the Ozark Mill, which was built in 1833 but stood unused from 1992 until Megan Stack and Johnny Morris began to develop the property into a collection of community spaces that honor the past while also bringing visitors something completely new.
The first part of the property to open was The Workshop (in 2019). It’s an airy space that was once an industrial garage and now serves as a coffee shop and gathering place. It butts up to an expansive covered Market Shed where Ozark Farmers Market relocated five years ago.
More and more spaces opened up at Finley Farms over the years, and today it’s a hub on the Finley River that offers community events and grows loads of fruits and vegetables that are often used in the food prepared on-site at The Ozark Mill Restaurant and its downstairs dining neighbor, The Garrison.
Those crops are overseen by resident gardeners Liesel McCleary and Brendan Sinclair, who often give farm tours and host plant sales at Finley Farms.
Even the restaurants lean into local history. The Ozark Mill Restaurant features flooring from the original mill that was refinished and replaced inside the building—and you can even view the original millworks. Flood gates and a repositioning of the building itself both aim to keep damaging water at bay throughout the meticulously restored mill.
The Garrison is named for Howard Garrison, who was the original owner of the long-lived local favorite Riverside Inn. Riverside Inn was known for its fried chicken, and The Garrison’s menu features an homage to that beloved dish.
Finley Farms offers picturesque surroundings for events, workshops, meals and more.
Beekeeping is just one of many activities happening at Finley Farms.
Photos courtesy Finley Farms
Where to Eat Farm-to-Table Meals
Here are three beautiful places to enjoy a farm-to-table meal in a scenic setting.
Millsap Farms
6593 N. Emu Lane, Springfield
Come for The: Brick-oven pizza
Stay for The: Twilight magic
The Pizza Club at Millsap Farms is a big, communal joy bomb that makes us happy every summer. Seating is limited at picnic tables tucked into a little clearing surrounded by trees, but you can bring camp chairs or a picnic blanket. And honestly, we think the picnic blanket is the most charming option. Pizzas are prepared by the family and team at Millsap Farms, and it’s an all-you-can eat affair. It’s super-tasty, but the magic is truly in the atmosphere. Twinkle lights dangle above the picnic tables. Live music plays as the sun gets low. Kids run wild in the Millsap family’s open spaces, playing with lawn toys and enjoying the fresh air. Our tip: Bring a bottle of wine, take it slow, and enjoy every second.
Lavender Falls Farm
3016 State Hwy. M, Clever
Come for The: Outdoor bistro fare
Stay for The: Live music
When you arrive at Lavender Falls Farm, you’re greeted with the purple waves of lavender plants and their oh-so-sweet scent. The seating at this quaint and tiny farm is outdoors, much of it on decks that overlook kids playing on the steep hillside and near the babbling stream below. The menu has everything from lavender-infused shareable apps to steaks—and you can eat it while you listen to live music. Make your reservations early because dinners always sell out. If you can’t make it out this year, keep an eye out next winter; reservations usually open as early as February for this in-demand spot.
Finley Farms
802 Finley Farms Lane, Ozark
Come for The: Farm-to-Bridge Dinner
Stay for The: General Store
The farm itself is reason enough to visit, but the Finley River and the bridge that spans it is another excellent asset to this beautiful community spot. To make the most of it, Finley Farms has hosted several Farm-to-Bridge Dinner events, where long tables are beautifully set up for family-style dining, al fresco with the waters of the Finley running by underfoot. It’s a twinkly, magical event—and it’s offered just infrequently enough that it always feels special but never inaccessible.
About the Writer
Katie Pollock Estes is the Editorial Director at 417 Magazine. Katie has been working at 417 since December 2005. Her role includes writing, editing and planning stories while leading the team that produces 417’s editorial content. Katie has written extensively about things to do outdoors around Springfield and southwest Missouri, including the best waterfalls, state parks, getaways and more. Read more about Katie.
