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.
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.
I grew up in Bronx, NY, in a city of 8 million, yet I couldn’t be more excited about Amery, Wisconsin’s launch of a special week dedicated to agricultural tourism. Agri what?
Looking for the Great Pumpkin
It’s a term that covers lots of things you’ve probably already done. If you’ve ever enjoyed an afternoon picking crisp apples or juicy strawberries, petted a little lamb or held a squirmy piglet, walked a corn maze or selected “just the right” pumpkin at a pumpkin patch, walked near grazing cattle, or sipped wine at a winery, helped gather eggs, or helped your farmer pick your CSA box — you’re an agricultural tourist. Maybe you’ve attended a wedding or special event at a repurposed barn, or fished at a trout or catfish farm, or cut down a Christmas tree. That’s agricultural tourism, too.
Why am I excited? Because my husband Dave Toftness and I raise grass-fed-grass-finished just four miles from downtown Amery, and a major part of our mission is to welcome visitors to our farm, Bull Brook Keep. We chat with well over 200 people a year, every month of the year. We appreciate the opportunity for walks across our pastures, explaining why we’re committed to sustainable practices, introducing our moos, and learning about people’s food journey. It’s educational, fun and friendly.
Governor Evers’ Proclamation
In this Deep Roots Radio interview, Amery’s Mayor Paul Isakson describes how the city is marking the launch of this very special week set aside by proclamation by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. It runs from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, 2021. Many thanks to the Governor and to Sheila Everhart, Interim Executive Director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association, for working for this recognition of the contribution agritourism makes to people’s lives and local economies.
Earlier this year, the Mayor established a new page on the City’s website just for agricultural tourism, making it easy to find an ag-based adventure in and around Amery, www.amerywi.gov/703/Agritourism. To find agricultural venues across the state, visit wiagtourism.com.
Happy cows at Bull Brook Keep
I hope you enjoy this interview. And I hope you’ll come visit us. The trees are turning glorious, and the moos would like to meet you.
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’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.
