Some weekend drives end at a place you never expected to love, and this little farm stand in northwest Indiana is one of those happy surprises. Picture crates of just-picked vegetables, jars of local honey lined up near the register, and a herd of curious goats waiting out back for a friendly hand.
Families have been turning short car trips into full-day outings here for years, drawn by the mix of fresh food and free fun. What starts as a quick honey run often turns into an afternoon nobody wants to end.
The Farm Stand on Cline Avenue
Tucked at 9436 N Cline Ave in Highland, Indiana, this family-run operation has quietly become a favorite stop for day-trippers across the region. Officially known as Scheeringa Farms & Produce, it blends a working farm with a welcoming market.
The setup is refreshingly simple. Wooden bins hold seasonal fruits and vegetables, jars of local honey sit near the counter, and a greenhouse full of plants waits nearby.
What makes the spot stick in your memory is the whole package. You can shop for supper, grab flowers for the garden, and walk out back to meet the animals, all in one visit.
Regulars mention that produce here often lasts longer in the fridge than store-bought goods. That kind of freshness keeps folks coming back week after week.
A Family Legacy Rooted in the Community
Longtime customers talk about coming here for more than twenty years, a sign of just how deep the roots run at this place. Families have introduced their children, then their grandchildren, to the same rows of plants and the same friendly faces.
Being family owned shapes everything about the experience. The staff genuinely know their plants and produce, and they happily share tips on how to grow a garden or care for hanging baskets.
A small storm in June once brought serious crop damage, and the community rallied to support the farm through it. That kind of loyalty says a lot about the relationships built here over the years.
Visitors often mention how the whole team works hard and treats each guest like a neighbor rather than just another shopper. It feels personal, and that is rare.
Just-Picked Produce Worth the Drive
Skip the grocery store aisle for a day and you will understand why people rave about the produce here. The fruits and vegetables come in fresh, and folks say the difference in taste and shelf life is noticeable.
Sweet corn earns some of the highest praise, with returning customers calling it the best they have found all season. Peaches have their own devoted following too.
Because the offerings shift with the growing season, no two visits feel exactly alike. Early summer brings one lineup, while late summer and fall stock the bins with different treasures.
Prices land in a reasonable range for the quality, and many shoppers plan to buy the bulk of their produce here while the farm stand stays open. It turns weekly meal planning into something a little more fun.
Local Honey and Small-Batch Treats
A trip out here for a jar of honey can easily turn into a lingering afternoon. The local honey has earned a spot as one of the reasons people make the drive in the first place.
Sweet tooths get another reason to stop: the donuts. Freshly made and clearly not left sitting on a shelf, they carry that homemade quality that store versions rarely match.
Grabbing a treat while you browse the bins makes the whole outing feel a bit more like a small celebration. Kids tend to lobby hard for one on the way out.
Because these items are made or sourced close to home, they carry that farm-to-table honesty. Pairing a jar of honey with a warm donut is a simple pleasure that keeps shoppers loyal.
The Free Petting Zoo Out Back
Head around back and you will find the star attraction for many young visitors: a free petting zoo full of curious animals. Goats, ducks, chickens, and more wait for gentle hands and a little attention.
Kids light up feeding the animals, and it is one of the most talked-about parts of the whole farm. Grandparents admit they enjoy the visit just as much as the little ones do.
The goats roam freely and can get a touch eager around snacks, so keeping an eye on small children makes the experience smoother. Feed is available inside the farm stand.
Being completely free to enjoy, the petting zoo turns a quick produce run into a full family outing. That combination of shopping and animal time is exactly what brings people back season after season.
A Greenhouse Bursting With Plants
Garden lovers tend to lose track of time the moment they step inside the greenhouse. Rows of healthy plants, vibrant hanging baskets, and vegetable starts fill the space during growing season.
Some customers have bought their flowers exclusively from here for over two decades, which speaks to the quality on the shelves. The variety gives both beginners and seasoned gardeners plenty to choose from.
Staff knowledge is a big draw. They can walk you through how to plant and care for your picks, turning a simple purchase into a mini gardening lesson.
Colorful hanging baskets make popular buys, and shoppers often leave with more than they planned. If sprucing up a yard or starting a vegetable patch is on your list, the greenhouse makes it easy and enjoyable.
Fall Festivities and Family Fun
When autumn rolls in, the farm shifts into full celebration mode. Families arrive for pumpkins, hayrides, tractor rides, and a corn pit that kids happily disappear into.
Bounce houses and a train ride round out the seasonal lineup, giving little ones plenty to explore beyond the animals. There is a real sense of activity buzzing across the property during these months.
The pumpkin patch draws its own crowd, making it an easy pick for fall photos and family traditions. Parents appreciate having so many things to do in one spot.
Some special events, like a mommy-and-me planting experience, add hands-on learning to the mix. Between the seasonal fun and the chance to see farming up close, the fall calendar here keeps families busy and grinning.
The Welcoming, Down-to-Earth Vibe
Friendly faces set the tone the moment you arrive. The staff earn steady praise for being helpful, patient, and genuinely knowledgeable about everything on the property.
The atmosphere leans peaceful and family-friendly, which makes it an easy outing with kids in tow. It is the kind of place where a polite young helper might hand out feed for the animals.
Dogs are welcome too, so your four-legged companion can join the adventure. A friendly farm dog often wanders the grounds and adds to the laid-back charm.
The indoor market space leans toward younger children rather than older kids, so families with little ones tend to get the most out of it. That warm, unhurried feel is a big part of why this stop feels so different from a typical errand.
Planning Your Visit
Getting here is straightforward, with the farm sitting at 9436 N Cline Ave in Highland, Indiana. It makes an easy day trip for anyone in the surrounding area.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM, with Saturday closing a bit earlier at 5 PM. The farm stays closed on Sundays, so plan your outing for a weekday or Saturday.
Card payments are accepted, covering Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. A few plants may run around four dollars, and feed for the animals is sold inside the farm stand.
A couple of tips make the visit smoother. Shade and seating are limited, so on warmer days bring your own water and dress comfortably.
Arrive with a little time to spare and you can shop, browse, and meet the animals all in one relaxed trip.
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