MYSTIC, Ct. — While pumpkin patches remain popular for families seeking country retreats, unique culinary events are growing in popularity.
“Buying local and being connected to food and the farm are very trendy right now,” said Sarah van Heeswijk, a board member with the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association.
That includes long table or al fresco dining experiences showcasing innovative menus or food presentations.
Van Heeswijk, who was interviewed during her group’s annual conference in Mystic, Connecticut, Feb. 6, said agritourism continues to grow in regions like Ontario and British Columbia, the home of the 100-mile diet concept. It’s also making inroads elsewhere, with new NAFDMA members from Alberta.
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Farm-based ventures have also increased in Connecticut, where the number of farms jumped by 43 percent from 2002 to 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Erin Pirro, farm business consultant with Farm Credit East in Enfield, Conn., said the state has a wide variety of operations from horses, dairies and sheep to nursery, greenhouse and landscape businesses to fruit orchards, tobacco farms and wineries.
Most range from a few acres to a few hundred acres in size, and are often spread over several sites.
“We see a huge influx of folks coming from elsewhere and are really attracted to the lifestyle and values of agriculture, whether that’s working hard or getting close to the land, but moreso, the access to good food,” said Pirro, who raises sheep for meat and fibre at Sepe farm in Sandy Hook, Conn.
Van Heeswijk cited an agribusiness launched by a female entrepreneur, whose family were flower growers at Sumas Prairie, B.C.
She hosted the Abbotsford Tulip Festival and also created the Roadside Harvest Social. It offers different craft breweries in an adult only section of a corn maze in addition to games, apple cannons and a pumpkin patch.
Van Heeswijk, whose husband’s family operates a butcher’s shop on their farm at Surrey, B.C., said the seasonal nature of agriculture allows slower times when some producers can try new ventures.
Agritourism also offers opportunities to a younger generation seeking to get into farming on a small land base.
“It’s more achievable to young people. Commodity farming might be too much for someone new to the industry to set as a goal.”
She said smaller operations are not likely to get into the wholesale end, so they need niche products and markets where they can market directly to customers and have more control over their returns.
“You can get 10 acres and make artisan goat cheese to sell to restaurants,” Van Heeswijk said.
