There are still a couple weeks left to take advantage of the cool fall weather, get some exercise and see the variety of agriculture operations in the Missoula area.

The sixth annual Bike to Barns tour, hosted by the nonprofit Community Food and Agriculture Coalition in Missoula, is running until Sept. 30.

Participants can take a mapped-out bike adventure tour to 14 local farm stops, meet local producers, eat and purchase food and win prizes.

This year’s event features a free lunch and scavenger hunt.

Monroe Karlin picks tomatoes at Turner Farms in 2021. Turner Farms is one of the longtime participants of Bike to Barns.

"Bike to Barns has become an annual tradition for many Missoulians, families and friend groups,” said Jennifer Zaso-Hitchcock, the nonprofit's communications and development director. "It’s the perfect introduction to learning more about local agriculture in our community while having a lot of fun."

The goal of the event is to raise awareness about the importance of local food systems.

"It’s important for people to have hands-on experiences on local farms and meaningful interactions with local farmers to build an understanding of the issues that are faced by the agricultural community while also seeing the personal importance of local food in people’s lives," Zaso-Hitchcock continued.

Local farms along the route include Red Hen Farm, Green Bench Orchard, Orchard Homes Icelandics, Turner Farms and more.

The event is a way for local farmers to get new customers and raise awareness about what they offer.

“Bike to Barns has become such a staple community event that I looked forward to participating in as a biker each year," said Ellie Costello, who operates Trust Land Farm on the corner of Third and Tower streets. "Now, as a farmer with a stop along the route, I am even more thrilled to see new faces coming through our farm stand in our first year of business. What a great way to introduce the community to the wealth of farms in Missoula.”

Zaso-Hitchcock said that farmers have reported about 300-400 bikers each year and that the event has created a new clientele group for producers that didn't exist before the event was created six years ago.

Ellie Costello opens up the hoop house so tomato plants can get air flow at the Trust Land Farm on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.

“As a longtime Missoulian, I couldn't believe how much I learned during my Bike to Barns experience," said Karen McNenny, a multi-year participant. "I had no idea our local agriculture scene was already abundant and growing so much, literally and figuratively. CFAC not only protects valuable plots of land for food, but also develops the next generation of farmers for Missoula and beyond and that is very apparent in the Bike to Barns neighborhoods.”

Registration fees cover the cost of the event and include a small donation toward CFAC’s beginning farmer and rancher programs, farmland conservation efforts and local food access programs including the Double SNAP Dollars and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition programs.

Event participants receive a full adventure package that includes everything they need to have a self-guided farm adventure bike tour through Missoula’s Orchard Homes, Target Range and Big Flat neighborhoods. Package pricing options are $35 for adults, $15 for kids and discounts for groups. The full adventure kit includes a bike route map, special farm stand offers, event swag, activities to win prizes and meal vouchers.

If you don’t have a bike or want to access the farm tour by bus or car, the packet includes the Mountain Line bus stops on the map and the route can also easily be driven by car to ensure people with all abilities can participate.

For more information, go online at cfacmontana.org.