Jul 31, 2026
By Shelley Rich
When you turn off 101st Street North in Sedgwick County’s Kechi, time seems to slow and your heart rate drops a little. That's exactly the feeling Elderslie Farm owner Katharine Elder hopes you'll experience.
We recently sat and chatted in the indoor dining space while a wedding rehearsal was taking place outside, and another guest wandered through the flower fields for the U-Pick flower experience. Katharine's vision is simple: invite people to step away from the chaos of everyday life and enjoy something authentic, meaningful and centered around people. She knows how easy it is for families to get caught up in the hustle of everyday life, so she and her husband, George, and their children, 11 and 13, have intentionally created a place where others can slow down and enjoy the beauty of the Kansas countryside.
Elderslie Farm is designed to be a place where people gather. Whether you're stopping by the self-serve market, enjoying breakfast or lunch at the Bramble Café or making an evening of the reservation-only, five-course chef's tasting menu, there is an invitation to linger. The farm also hosts weddings, showers, corporate gatherings, birthday celebrations, and other special events on the property where George grew up.
The self-serve market is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Inside you'll find prepared entrées, soups, wraps, desserts, baked goods, Kansas honey, local eggs, coffee, beverages and other thoughtfully sourced products. One of Katharine's favorite things about the market is the convenience it offers. She shared the story of a nurse who lives in Wichita and works overnight in Newton. After finishing a shift, she can stop by in the early morning hours to pick up a fresh breakfast burrito before heading home. Katharine loves knowing exactly where every ingredient came from — from the locally raised sausage to the fresh eggs tucked inside.
The Bramble Café offers a seasonal menu featuring breakfast, brunch and lunch in a relaxed farm setting. Guests can dine indoors or enjoy the patio while overlooking the flowers, visiting goats lingering in the pen and enjoying the grounds. Insider tip: ride your bicycle to the café and you'll receive a free cup of coffee!
As the seasons change, so does the chef's tasting menu. Each reservation features a thoughtfully curated five-course dining experience highlighting the freshest ingredients available. Before dinner, guests can enjoy a selection of shareable appetizers, with favorites often including charcuterie, fresh focaccia, baked brie and bone marrow. Each evening also features chef's additions that highlight seasonal ingredients. Signing up for the farm's newsletter or weekly market email is one of the best ways to stay current on menus, special events and seasonal offerings.
While many longtime visitors know Elderslie Farm for its beloved U-Pick blackberry season, one of the newest experiences is the U-Pick flower patch. For just $9 guests can create their own bouquet using the containers provided and pay at the self-serve station using a QR code. Depending on the time of year, you'll find colorful zinnias, snapdragons, sunflowers, celosia, gomphrena and other seasonal blooms ready to take home. The fall seedlings are on their way to delight you as sweater weather descends.
Experiences like these offer more than a pleasant outing. Taking time to slow down, spend time outdoors and connect with family and friends are simple ways to support mental well-being and build stronger, healthier communities. Elderslie Farm provides a setting where conversations linger, children explore, and visitors are reminded that life's best moments are often the simplest ones.
More than anything, Katharine and George want to simply share what they have. Whether you spend an afternoon relaxing on the patio, browse the Market, pick flowers or blackberries, or reserve an unforgettable dinner, you'll be welcomed. Before the school year begins and life speeds up again, consider taking a short drive to enjoy a little piece of Kansas summer. Every visit offers something a little different, but the goal is always the same — to leave guests feeling refreshed, connected and ready to return.