So many farms, so little time.

So . . . you need a strategy: Do your research and plan a route.

The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture will host its third annual Buy Fresh Buy Local Farm Tour in Western Pennsylvania on July 18, and this year 21 farms (up from 13 last year) in seven counties are participating.

For families and wannabe farmers, it's a day of cheap agricultural thrills -- $10 buys a day pass for a carload of tour-goers to visit as many farms as possible between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Buy the pass at the first farm you visit.

The tour is an excellent opportunity to see how local farmers are producing vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses and other products using sustainable practices. Farms will offer tours, kid-friendly activities, fresh samples, hands-on demonstrations and some discounts on homegrown products. If you're buying, bring a cooler.

This year's tour features sheep shearing and wool spinning demonstrations at Wild Rose Farm in Beaver County; in-depth tours of Pounds Turkey Farm south of Leechburg; hayrides, pick-your-own organic vegetables (broccoli, lettuce and snow peas are ready now) and grain milling on antique farm equipment at Morris Farm southwest of Irwin; and pick-your-own raspberries and blueberries at Soergel Orchards in Wexford.

In addition to Soergel's, participating farms in Allegheny County include Dillner Family Farm (fruits and vegetables, Gibsonia); Mish Farms (all-natural beef, Gibsonia); Shenot Farm (fruits and vegetables, Wexford) and Triple B Farms (fruits, vegetables, children's play areas and farm market, Monongahela).

In Beaver County, along with Wild Rose Farm visit the Janoski Farm (vegetables and farm market), Lewis Family Farms (grass-fed beef), Little Brick Barn (alpacas), Kretschmann Organic Farm (fruits and vegetables) and Brenckle's Farm (vegetables).

In Butler County, Harvest Valley Farm sells its vegetables and other local products at its farm market. In Jefferson County, Quiet Creek Herb Farm near Brookville has an herb garden, shiitake mushroom farm, worm bins, farm market with herbal products, a woodland trail and an artfully crafted strawbale building that houses the farm's interns.

At Paradise Farm and Gardens, Jefferson County's first organic farm, you'll find a goat dairy, henhouse, greenhouses and raised beds.

The Pasture Maid Creamery sells its raw milk and cheese at the Dean Farm near New Castle in Lawrence County; also visit the Ron Gargasz Farm near Volant for organic, grass-fed beef.

In Mercer County, the Macoskey Center at Slippery Rock University demonstrates sustainable living in a green-renovated farmhouse with a large garden, solar array and farm trails; Three Sisters Biodynamic Farm at Sandy Lake has several outdoor gardens and a bioshelter comprising a greenhouse, kitchen, poultry house and living quarters.

Along with Pounds Turkey Farm, Morris Farm and Wolf Lake Farm (eggs and poultry), in Westmoreland County you'll also find the 210-acre Jamison Farm near Latrobe, widely regarded by chefs as producing the finest lamb anywhere.

Remember to wash your own and your children's hands after petting animals.

For a map showing locations of the farms, visit pasafarming.org.