This Georgia Farm Has A Playground Built From Recycled Farm Equipment And Homemade Fruit Ice Cream

Old farm pipes became a rolling slide, and worn-out tires turned into swings and a climbing pyramid. Somebody looked at retired equipment and saw a playground instead of scrap.

Then there’s the strawberry ice cream. It’s homemade with berries from the farm’s own fields, and Explore Georgia named it one of the Top 100 Plates in Georgia.

I like that a scoop of dessert earned a spot on a statewide list.

The family behind it has farmed the same county for eight generations. They still grow cotton, peanuts, and corn, but they also let you pick fruit right off the plants.

Kids climb, grown-ups pick berries, and everyone ends up near the ice cream counter.

Old Tires And Pipes Got A Second Career As Playground Stars

Most farm junk ends up rusting behind a barn. At Southern Grace Farms, it ended up as one of the most talked-about playgrounds in South Georgia.

The McMillan family built it from recycled and repurposed farm equipment. That means tire swings, a rolling pipe slide, a tunnel, a ninja line, and a tire pyramid for climbing.

Every piece has a farm backstory, which makes it way more fun than plastic. Kids get to bounce and climb on stuff that once worked the fields.

Old farm buildings got new jobs too. They now provide shade around the play area and serve as spots for parties.

Here’s the best part for parents. Playground use is free with a store purchase, so a slushie basically doubles as an admission ticket.

A smart tip helps here as well. South Georgia sun can make tires and metal toasty, so morning or late afternoon visits feel more comfortable.

Covered picnic tables sit nearby for anyone needing a breather. Grown-ups can relax in the shade while the kids burn off energy.

It’s creative, practical, and full of personality. Honestly, it might make you look at your own garage clutter a little differently.

A Strawberry Scoop Good Enough To Make A Statewide List

Explore Georgia named it one of the Top 100 Plates in Georgia. Not bad for a soft-serve that starts in a strawberry field down the road.

Southern Grace Farms makes its homemade strawberry ice cream with berries from its own harvest. The farm freezes some of those berries, so strawberry stays available all year long.

The ingredients get blended thoroughly for a smooth texture. You won’t need a calendar to enjoy this one, which is great news in January.

Other flavors rotate with the seasons. Peach and blueberry show up when those crops come in, which feels fitting for a fruit farm.

The menu may also feature cake batter, butter pecan, or New York cheesecake at different times. Checking what’s available before you go keeps the surprise fun instead of disappointing.

You can grab a cup, a cone, or a container to take home. That last option seems wise if your freezer looks lonely.

I believe fruit ice cream tastes better when you can see where the fruit grew. Here, the field is practically within waving distance of your cone.

Slushie Fans, Your Strawberry Lemonade Moment Has Arrived

Hot day, sticky hands, and a long walk back from the berry rows. That’s exactly when the frozen drink menu starts calling your name.

Southern Grace Farms serves frozen lemonade and strawberry slushies. Mix the two together, and you get the strawberry lemonade, one of the farm’s popular picks.

It’s sweet, tart, and pink enough to match a sunburn. Okay, maybe wear sunscreen, but you get the idea.

Seasonal slushie flavors also pop up from time to time. Muscadine, scuppernong, and peach slushies appear occasionally, depending on what’s ripe.

Muscadines and scuppernongs are grapes native to the South. If you’ve never tried them, a slushie makes a pretty friendly introduction.

The store also carries candies, peanuts, and freeze-dried candy. So the snack situation covers just about every sweet tooth in your group.

Here’s a practical idea for families. Grab drinks first, then settle at a shaded picnic table while kids play.

Everyone stays cool, and nobody fights over whose turn it is for the slide. Well, they might still fight a little, but at least they’ll be refreshed.

Pick Your Own Fruit Across Multiple Seasons

Strawberries in spring, peaches in summer, oranges in winter. The picking calendar here barely takes a nap.

Southern Grace Farms offers U-pick and We-pick options, so you can harvest yourself or grab fruit already picked. Strawberries usually run from March through June.

Blueberries and plums generally appear from April to June. Blackberries and peaches typically follow from May into July, with nectarines arriving around May.

Late summer brings muscadines from July into September. Sunflowers also bloom in summer, adding a burst of yellow to the fields.

Then fall and winter bring citrus. Satsuma oranges, lemons, and pink grapefruit are a fun surprise for anyone who assumes Georgia means only peaches.

Crops depend on weather, so seasons and hours can shift. Calling ahead or checking the farm’s social pages saves you a wasted trip.

One more helpful tip matters here. Fields can close earlier than the store, so plan your picking first and playground time second.

Bring a hat and sturdy shoes. Your future self, holding a bucket of berries, will thank you.

Eight Generations Of Farming Sit Behind Every Bucket

The family story stretches back to 1774. That’s when the McMillans’ Scottish ancestors started farming in Georgia, before the United States even existed.

Today, the McMillan family runs Southern Grace Farms as eighth-generation Berrien County farmers. That’s a lot of family dinners spent talking about rain.

They still grow traditional row crops like corn, cotton, wheat, peanuts, and rye. Those fields keep the farm rooted in its long history.

In 1998, the family tried something new. They added U-pick strawberries and blackberries, inviting the public onto the land.

The on-site store followed in 2015. The goal was simple: sell their produce, gifts, and snacks while creating a place families could enjoy together.

I like how the farm grew without losing its roots. Big fields of cotton still matter, but now kids can also meet a strawberry plant up close.

That mix of old and new gives the place real character. It feels like a working farm first and an attraction second, which is exactly the right order.

The Country Store Is Basically A Treasure Hunt With Peaches

Good luck leaving with only a basket of fruit. The shelves inside have other plans for your wallet.

The country store at Southern Grace Farms stocks Georgia Grown goodies, Southern apparel, and gifts. You’ll also find value-added products and specialty gourmet items.

Think jams, jellies, preserves, sauces, and spices. These make easy souvenirs that actually get used instead of collecting dust.

Fresh produce sits here too, including pre-picked fruit for days when the fields close early. That’s handy if little legs are tired.

The store also serves as the home base for ice cream and slushies. So it’s where most visits begin and, let’s be honest, where most end.

A purchase here also unlocks free playground time. That makes even a small snack feel like a pretty clever deal.

Shopping local supports the family that keeps this farm running. Every jar of preserves helps keep those fields growing for the next generation.

Consider it a delicious way to say thanks. And maybe a way to finish your holiday shopping early too.

Field Trips Here Come With Hayrides And Sunflower Seeds

Some classroom lessons stick better with dirt involved. Field trips at this farm prove that point beautifully.

Southern Grace Farms hosts field trips for groups of 20 or more. Each visit includes an educational session, a hayride, strawberry picking, sunflower planting, and playground time.

Kids learn what it takes to run a real farm. Then they get to plant a sunflower seed, which feels a lot more exciting than a worksheet.

Picking strawberries shows students where food really comes from. Many kids probably think berries grow in plastic boxes, so this helps.

Birthday parties are welcome year-round too. The repurposed farm buildings and shaded areas make party planning much easier for parents.

The playground handles the entertainment part. Your job mostly involves cake and counting heads.

Teachers and parents should book early, especially during strawberry season. Spring tends to be the most popular time for school groups.

Hands-on learning like this sticks with kids. Years later, they might still remember the hayride better than any spelling test.

Antique Tractors And Vintage Jeeps Roll In For Big Days

Chrome, rust, and plenty of horsepower. A couple of yearly events turn this berry farm into a gearhead’s playground.

Southern Grace Farms has hosted an Antique Tractor Show, with the 2026 event scheduled for February 28. It fits the farm perfectly, since tractors are basically family members around here.

Restored machines show how farming has changed over the decades. Kids who loved the recycled-equipment playground will enjoy seeing the real thing.

The farm has also scheduled Vintage Jeep Shows, including an event on March 28, 2026. Jeep fans know these gatherings are as much about community as about engines.

The timing lines up nicely with early strawberry season. You could admire classic vehicles and pick berries in the same afternoon.

Don’t forget to stop by the store afterward. A scoop of strawberry ice cream pairs well with talking about carburetors.

Event dates can change, so check before driving out. Weather in Georgia sometimes has its own opinions.

These shows add another layer to the farm’s personality. It’s a place that honors old machines as much as fresh fruit.

Make A Whole Day Of It In Berrien County

Finding the farm is easier than spelling the town’s name confidently. Southern Grace Farms sits at 3131 Vickers Church Rd, Enigma, GA 31749, and it’s reachable from I-75.

Hours run Monday through Saturday, with Saturdays closing a bit earlier. Sundays open in the afternoon, from 2 to 6.

Picking seasons and hours can shift with crops and weather. A quick check before leaving home keeps your plans on track.

Nearby, Paradise Lakes Fishing offers a state-managed public fishing area. It’s a relaxing add-on for anyone who likes casting a line.

History buffs can head to the Georgia Agrirama in Tifton. This agricultural history museum pairs nicely with a day spent on a working farm.

In Nashville, Georgia, you’ll find the Nashville Farmers Market and The Quirky Perk coffee shop. The farm also suggests the Our Place Hotel for overnight stays.

Put it all together, and you’ve got a full South Georgia getaway. Just leave room in the car for fruit, and maybe a cooler for ice cream.