Author: Brian Jeffiers
Planning Unit: Johnson County CES
Major Program: Agritourism Planning
Plan of Work: Sustainable Farming
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
Farm income can often be enhanced with value-added enterprises. Agritourism has become a leading option for farmers looking to achieve this goal. When one Johnson County farmers' market vendor felt that he could make more money than his vegetable crops were providing, he met with the County Extension Agent to discuss developing a pumpkin patch as a tourism site. Over the next year, they planned marketing and production.
Now into its second year of operation, One of A Kind Pumpkin Patch is now producing pumpkins, ornamental corn, and other decorative vegetables on 6 acres in the Tutor Key community. School groups, churches, and families have come to the farm from several counties as well as from West Virginia. The owners report that the enterprise has been profitable enough that they plan further expansion for 2018.
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