This summer, the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau is giving locals a chance to get closer to local agriculture with Friends of Local Farms events across the county.

This summer’s schedule begins Saturday with the first of five behind-the-scenes tours of Live Earth Farms in Watsonville; the tours run into August. The 90-minute tour for up to 20 people combines tractor rides and walking tours around the redwood farmland. 

On July 26 and Aug. 2, Aptos Farmers Market executive director Catherine Barr will take guests behind the scenes of the market.

On Aug. 30 and Sept. 6, the owner of Fog City Farms, James Cunningham, will give 15-person tours of the company’s Aptos cannabis growing facility. 

The final event, lunch with a panel of local farmers and ranchers, falls on Sept. 27. Attendees will be provided box lunches and ask their questions about farming.

Tickets range from $5 to $15 for children and $30 to $75 for adults. All but the Fog City cannabis farm tour are family-friendly.

To purchase tickets, visit the Friends of Local Farms event page.