A Williamstown woman has mapped 25 family-run farm stands across five Northern Kentucky counties, giving Boone County shoppers a new guide to local produce, baked goods and handmade products along rural backroads.

Lori Rose, owner of The Old Quirky Farmhouse in Williamstown, created the NKY Backroads Harvest Tour Map after starting her own farm stand in 2025. The self-guided tour covers Grant, Boone, Kenton, Campbell and Pendleton counties.

Rose said she initially worried that new stands opening near hers would create competition. Instead, she built a map connecting them all.

"There shouldn't be a competition here, and I'm not seeing that as a competition anymore," Rose said. "It's very uplifting. You're always hearing people wanting to buy local, and the more information out there for people to buy local, they are more out to get it."

The project began as a simple Grant County guide before expanding into the five-county initiative. Each stop offers different products. At Rose's stand, visitors find scratch-made breads and cookies. Other locations feature cut flowers, seasonal produce and locally made crafts.

Rose said she hopes the map will bring back the tradition of a Sunday drive, with families stopping at farm stands along the way.

The tour has no set schedule. Residents drive the route at their own pace, visiting whichever stands are open. The full list of participating farms and a QR code linking to the map are available on the NKY Backroads Harvest Tour Facebook page.

Specific Boone County stops have not been publicly listed by name outside that page. Residents interested in finding their nearest stand can check the map directly.

Rose said she hopes more farm stands will join the tour over time.

Upcoming Boone County events

  • Thursday, July 23: River City Puppets, Family Fun Night, Boone Woods Park Amphitheater, 7–7:45 p.m. Free, all ages.
  • Thursday, July 23: Storytime in the Park, Walton Community Park, Shelter 4, 10–11 a.m. Free, ages 2–5. Co-hosted by Boone County Public Library and Boone County Parks.
  • Friday, July 24: Movie Night, Boone Woods Park Amphitheater, 7 p.m. (inflatables and activities; movie at dark). Free, all ages.
  • Saturday, July 25: Summer Concert Series featuring The Layovers, Boone Woods Park Amphitheater, 7–8:30 p.m. Free, all ages.
  • Thursday, July 30: Cincinnati Shakespeare, Family Fun Night, Boone Woods Park Amphitheater, 7–7:45 p.m. Free, all ages.