U Pick Farms in Kansas

Or search by ZIP code for more precise results

The Real Kansas Story

Kansas farming began with Native American tribes who grew corn and hunted buffalo on the great plains. European settlers discovered that Kansas was perfect for growing wheat because of the flat land and good soil. Kansas became known as America's breadbasket because it grows so much wheat that gets made into bread and pasta. Farmers also learned to grow sunflowers, which turn Kansas fields bright yellow in summer.

Kansas's Special Growing Areas

Kansas is mostly flat plains with rich soil that's perfect for growing wheat and other grains on large farms. The western part of the state is drier and better for wheat, while eastern Kansas gets more rain and can grow corn and other crops. Kansas has hot summers and cold winters with strong winds that help dry the wheat. The flat land makes it easy to use big machines for planting and harvesting.

What You Can Pick and When

Kansas is famous for wheat, but most farms don't offer picking since it's harvested with big machines. You can visit sunflower fields in July and August when millions of bright yellow flowers cover the landscape. Some farms grow sweet corn that's ready to pick in late summer. Kansas also has apple orchards and pumpkin patches where families can pick their own fruit and vegetables.

Planning Your Kansas Farm Visit

Summer is the best time to visit Kansas farms when sunflowers are blooming and wheat is being harvested. The weather can be very hot with strong winds, so bring sun protection and water. Fall is great for visiting pumpkin patches and apple orchards when the weather is cooler. Many Kansas farms are huge operations, but some offer tours during harvest time to show how wheat becomes bread.