Warm Springs Ranch
Boonville, Missouri
Encompassing more than 300 acres of rolling green hills, Warm Springs Ranch is the breeding farm for the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses. It is in Boonville, Missouri, around 150 miles west of St. Louis.
Clydesdale horses are known for the furry white stockings on their legs as well as their incredible size; their backs alone reach six feet in height. For 85 years, these gentle giants have been featured in Budweiser commercials and promotional events, traditionally displayed pulling a bright-red beer wagon in teams of eight.
At Warm Springs Ranch, groups can meet these magnificent animals up close and learn about the extensive training required for a Clydesdale horse to join the Budweiser team.
“Whether people are 4 years old or 84 years old, they still get that big smile on their face when they see the Clydesdales,” said farm manager John Soto, who has worked with Budweiser Clydesdales for more than 35 years.
Soto began working with horses as a teenager and often visited the Clydesdale horses whenever a Budweiser hitch came to town. When Budweiser offered him a full-time position at the age of 21, he leapt at the chance.
“I’ve never had a real job — I’ve only really worked with horses,” said Soto jokingly.
Groups can take a walking tour of the farm’s premier 25,000-square-foot breeding facility, visiting areas such as the examination room for pregnant mares and the foaling stalls, which usually house four or five baby Clydesdales. At the end of the visit, groups return to the breeding room for a complimentary Budweiser beer tasting and photo opportunity with one of the geldings.
Murder Point Oysters
Gulf Coast, Alabama
The Zirlott family has been in the seafood business for five generations, harvesting shrimp, fish and other natural resources along the Gulf of Mexico. After taking a training course from Auburn University on animal husbandry in 2012, Rosa and Brent Zirlott decided to try their hand at oyster farming and partnered with their son, Lane, to launch Murder Point Oysters.
The company prides itself on offering a premium-grade product. Grown in the nutrient-rich waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the oysters develop a plump, buttery texture.
“Most people have never tasted a real Alabama oyster, so we’re really excited to give everyone the chance to try it,” said Rosa Zirlott, co-owner of the company.
The family raised 25,000 oysters the first year and quickly fell in love with the process. Zirlott described her excitement upon pulling up one of the hatchery baskets for the first time.
“We opened the basket and saw this nursery of baby oysters, baby crabs and fish. It really excited us to see that, and that’s when it hit home for us that we just loved what we were doing,” said Zirlott.
Since then, business has been booming. In 2017, Murder Point Oysters harvested 1.3 million oysters.
Seafood lovers can stop by the new Murder Point Oyster retail store to purchase farm-fresh oysters, or pick up a souvenir hat or T-shirt. This summer, Murder Point Oysters will begin featuring a behind-the-scenes tour of the farm, where groups can learn about raising oysters and see the long rows of hatchery baskets lining Sandy Bay.
