Not just a Langley thing, Circle Farm Tours take place in five distinct communities around southern B.C.

In Maple Ridge in mid-June, organizers celebrated the launch of the 2012 season with a look at why the program is so successful.

"I think it's fabulous," said Marianne Smith, cheesemaker and owner of Langley's Milner Valley Cheese, of her family's experience with the tour program.

"The locals come out and want to see where their food comes from," she said.

The business sees the impact of being part of the tours.

"Probably the majority of our farmgate business is because of it," noted husband Glenn Smith.

The Smith family is now bringing their fifth generation of farmers into the fold with their business which offers farmgate sales out of a heritage home.

They were honoured as "century farmers" in 2011 for their more than 100 years in agriculture.

The Smiths aren't alone in their appreciation of the benefits of the program.

Judy Campbell of Campbell's Gold in Aldergrove expressed a similar sentiment in her speech at the launch party.

"We built this beautiful new structure and they [customers] didn't come," she said. "They [Circle Farm Tour] found us early and we're glad they did."

Numerous speakers from the participating tour regions spoke about the positives associated with the tour from both a business perspective as well as the public's perspective.

"I want the real food experience and I think a lot of people are going that way," said Yvonne Hayden with Tourism Abbotsford. "We want the real thing."

For more information on Circle Farm Tours visit the website at circlefarmtour. com.

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