Tag Archives: Agritourism

Farmers on why they welcome visitors, and how to find ag-adventure near you during WI Agricultural Tourism Wk

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Agritourism
Agritourism
Farmers on why they welcome visitors, and how to find ag-adventure near you during WI Agricultural Tourism Wk
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I really enjoyed this Deep Roots Radio conversation with Tom Wisniowski of The Happy Earth Orchard, Ellsworth, WI, and Andrew Mommsen of Mommsen Produce and Pumpkin Patch, Rice Lake, WI. They are among the hundreds of Wisconsin farmer-members of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association who invite visitors for you-pick produce, corn mazes, delicious foods and fresh beverages, relaxation, and a wide range of family-friendly activities.

Andrew Mommsen

While Tom is now in his third year opening his orchard to eager visitors, Andrew is celebrating 30 years of a growing interest in farm experiences. Both represent a range of lessons learned and rewards experienced as they’ve welcomed individuals and families to their farms.

You’ll also hear from Sheila Everhart, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association (WATA). She describes how the public can go to WATA‘s website to find a wide range agricultural adventures near you. She also describes how farmers benefit from the educational, advocacy and promotional work WATA does for its members every day of the year.

I hope you enjoy this podcast.

Sylvia

Will Wisconsin proposed legislation cripple the state’s event barns? Listen in 6/17, 9-9:30AM Central

Last week, legislators introduced a bill to the Wisconsin Assembly to overhaul the state’s liquor laws. Unfortunately, this proposal contains language that would severely limit the ability for family farms to rent space for celebrations, such as weddings.  Here’s a link to the AB 304 language that’s posing the deep concern.

On tomorrow’s Deep Roots Radio show, we’ll chat with Sara Hasse, owner and operator of Croix View Event Barn in Osceola, Wisconsin. She’ll describe how this proposed legislation could knock the beams right from under family farms working to remain viable businesses in rural communities. We’ll also look at possible negative impact on other local businesses that benefit from these event venues.

Listen in: Saturday, June 17, 9:00-9:30AM Central on 93.1FM in and around Amery, WI, and worldwide on the internet at www.wpcaradio.org .

Sylvia

Winter activities and adventures on Wisconsin family farms.

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Agritourism
Agritourism
Winter activities and adventures on Wisconsin family farms.
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We love visiting farms during warm weather. But what about when the snow’s 2 feet deep and there are ice crystals in the air?

Winter’s a perfect time to enjoy great food, family activities and adventure on Wisconsin family farms. In this Deep Roots Radio interview, Sheila Everhart, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association, describes just how easy it can be to have fun and create lasting memories on any one of the scores of farms that regularly welcome visitors to their operations.

Find your next ag-adventure

I hope you enjoy this interview, and I urge you to visit the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association website to find your next ag-adventure, www.wiagtourism.com.

 

PS. You’re invited to visit my farm, Bull Brook Keep, for an afternoon of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Just give me a call, 651-238-8525.

Sylvia

WI Agricultural Tourism — ag-adventures for visitors & farmers year’round

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Agritourism
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WI Agricultural Tourism -- ag-adventures for visitors & farmers year'round
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Autumn colors are on display all across the country. Kids are running through corn mazes and families are enjoying hay rides, picking apples and sipping cider at farms throughout Wisconsin. Wrap a scarf around your neck and you can still savor wine outdoors at a local vineyard or hard cider at one of the many thriving orchards now offering the best of local.

Pretty soon it’ll be sleigh rides or snowshoeing across pastures. And then there’s the cutting of your very own yule log.

All of these activities are parts of agricultural tourism — relaxation, education, adventure, a meal or overnight stay at a farm that welcomes visitors.

This Deep Roots Radio chat with Sheila Everhart takes a look at this growing form of tourism, and celebrates Wisconsin’s recognition of agricultural adventures. Sheila is the Executive Director of Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association.

Enjoy!

Sylvia

It’s Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Week! 9/27-10/3 Time to take an ag-adventure!

Governor Tony Evers proclaims Sept. 27-Oct. 3, 2021 Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Week. Yahoo!

Looking for the Great Pumpkin

And what a perfect time of year to celebrate the hundreds of farmers and agribusinesses that invite visitors throughout the growing season, and beyond. Enjoy the fall colors as you to pick crisp apples, wander through a corn maze, pet baby farm animals, sip wine among grape vines, try some hard cider, or take a pasture walk.

Governor Evers’ proclamation

The Governor’s proclamation recognizes agriculture’s impact on the state economy: nearly 64,800 farmers on 14.3 million acres; 435.7K jobs; and a $104.8 billion impact on the state’s economy.

Many thanks to the Governor and to the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association for this formal recognition.

Our farm, Bull Brook Keep is a small, grass-fed-grass-finished cow/calf operation, and we market our beef directly to consumers in Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. Visitors are not only welcome to Bull Brook Keep, they’re fundamental to our mission. Dave and I intentionally established our farm as a platform for conversation, education and recreation. We welcome over 200 adults and children every year. We appreciate every opportunity to explain why we’re committed to regenerative practice, and to farming in harmony with the seasons.  We like walking the pastures, introducing visitors to the moos, and learning about your food journey. 

We hope you’ll come out to the farm some time this week. Just give a call. We’d like to hear from you.

You can learn about ag-adventures near Amery, WI:  amerywi.gov/703/Agritourism. For venues all across the state, visit wiagtourism.com.

 

Sylvia and Dave Toftness
We’d like to be your farmers
651-238-8525
sylvia@bullbrookkeep.com

John Govin welcomes thousands of visitors to cuddle new lambs and farm babies every spring.

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Agritourism
Agritourism
John Govin welcomes thousands of visitors to cuddle new lambs and farm babies every spring.
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If it fits on your lap, we’ll help you hold it.

Is there anything cuter than a new lamb? Or softer than a day-old chick? Well, maybe it’s the curly tail of a tiny piglet, or the agile jumps of a week-old kid.

All will be on display, and ready for a cuddle, beginning this weekend on John and Julie Govin’s farm in Menomonie, Wisconsin. It’s their annual Lambing Barn and Farm Babies event . “Our motto is – If it fits in your lap, we’ll help you hold it,” said John during our Deep Roots Radio chat. An easy drive from the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota metro area, the Govins have welcomed thousands of visitors – young and old – to this event for the last 16 years.

The Lambing Barn runs four weekends in 2021:  March 20-21; March 27-28; April 2-3, and April 10-11.  This spring, he’s taken extra COVID-19 measures to promote wellness and fun on the farm.  If you’re into agritourism, the Govin’s farm offers many activities through the summer and fall.

I hope you enjoy this interview  with John, and go online to purchase tickets to this spring time event.  I’m going Saturday, March 20th, and hope to see your there!

Sylvia

Agricultural tourism – what it is, how to start on your farm, and how to find a farm to visit. Three-part series

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The growing season is in full swing: new calves are running across the pastures, the first CSA boxes have been delivered, corn is knee-high, and vegetables are growing more than an inch a day.

This year, most of us have been stressed and isolated by COVID-19, and we’re eager to enjoy the sights, smells, and open spaces of nearby farms. Visiting working farms – agritourism – is a rapidly growing interest all across the country. What does the term encompass? How can farmers enter this growing field? And how can you find a farm to visit for a couple of hours or a weekend?

This three-part series features Sheila Everhart, President of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association (WATA). Although the focus is Wisconsin, there’s lots of information for farmers and food lovers in any state.

In Part 1, Sheila defines agritourism and describes how WATA provides useful info to farmers, advocates for agritourism regulations and policies, and helps the public find farms and activities throughout the state.

Part 2 is for farmers: the questions and issues to consider before launching an agricultural tourism activity.

Part 3 is for individuals and families searching for a farm to visit. How to find a nearby farm, and how to prepare for a successful visit.

Enjoy these informative conversations, and visit a farm soon!

Sylvia

Growing agricultural tourism – good for farmers, good for visitors

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Deep Roots Radio
Deep Roots Radio
Growing agricultural tourism - good for farmers, good for visitors
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A well-established tradition in Europe, agricultural tourism is now growing rapidly in the United States. In this Deep Roots Radio interview, Steve Peterson, President of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association, describes the educational, entertainment and economic benefits of this sector.
He recommends farmers explore resources at luv-r-ag.com.
Similarly, if you want to visit to a local winery or micro-brewery, or find a weekend farm-stay, travelwisconsin.com.

Cows in shade

Enjoying the warm at Bull Brook Keep

If you’d like to visit our sustainable grass-fed beef farm, Bull Brook Keep, just give a call, 651-238-8525. We’d love to walk our pastures with you, and explain why we’re committed to raising our herd on grass, and only grass. No grains. No growth hormones. No sub-therapeutic antibiotics. We hope you’ll visit.
Sylvia