Spend a Farm-Fresh Day in Dearing & McDuffie County

White Hills Farm is a boutique, certified naturally grown lavender and herb farm where you can bask in an aromatic and beautiful setting while you stock up on local goodies in the gift shop, and participate in hands-on workshops, classes and events. More than 14 types of lavender are cultivated on the 30-acre property, along with rosemary, thyme, basil, calamint (a native Georgia mint), roselle, plus other edibles and aromatics. 

The lavender and herb beds are most picturesque in warmer months but you can tour them year-round to learn how to grow lavender and touch and smell all the plants that grow on the farm. The lavender and herbs are transformed into products such as bath salts, lotion, soaps, teas, sachets and dried herb blends.

Get together with friends for workshops to learn how to make wild-foraged wreaths and teas, or get away for one of the farm’s relaxing yoga retreats. Take cooking classes hosted by guest chefs to learn about cooking with herbs, baking crackers, and making desserts, soups and herb-inspired garden beverages. And, don’t miss the farm’s seasonal events like fall scavenger hunts and Santa at the farm. Plan your White Hills Farm visit today.

Just 5 miles away, Hillcrest is the first robotic dairy farm in Georgia. What began in 1941 as the family farm of G. L. and Lucille Rodgers is now helmed by third- and fourth-generation descendants who work to keep cows happy. Take the 90-minute farm tour to meet cows, watch the milking process, and learn fascinating facts like how much saliva a dairy cow produces each day (125 pounds!). 

You’ll visit the robotics observation center, where interactive displays include a life-size fiberglass cow that can be hand-milked. Then, you’ll climb aboard a covered trolley pulled by an antique tractor for a ride around the property. The riding tour stops at the “moo-ternity” barn to see any newborn calves—no guarantees, but cows are born throughout the year. Book a Hillcrest Dairy Farm tour today!

After your farm visits, be sure to stop in town for a bite to eat. Savor authentic poutine alongside a juicy burger or sausage dog at Deep South Cheese & Grill; a slab of ribs, barbecue chicken, or fried catfish at Pea-Ridge BBQ; or fried chicken, mac-n-cheese, and other homestyle favorites at Steeleys Grill & Tackle. 

Or make your way to the nearby small town of Thomson, where restaurants, boutiques and thrift shops, a downtown walking tour, and Clarks Hill Lake’s fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching can fill the rest of your afternoon.