This time of year is often called football season. Others may call it sweater weather and pumpkin spice latte time. I can almost get on board with those descriptions, but for farmers it’s harvest and calving season. On my farm near Harrisonville, it’s also peak agritourism season, when folks venture to the farm to pick their pumpkins, take photos, build memories and learn about agriculture.
Agriculture is essential in our daily lives, yet many people are increasingly disconnected from the process behind the food they eat. There is a growing need to bridge the gap between consumers and farmers which is where agritourism and agriculture education play a vital role. By offering farm visits, hands-on learning experiences, and creating opportunities to engage with agricultural practices, we can begin to regenerate the connection to farming and help to raise a better understanding of the role agriculture plays in our society.
Agritourism venues are extremely effective tools in helping to provide farm-based education. Owning a pumpkin patch isn’t just a seasonal business; it is an incredible opportunity to teach families about farming. Visitors can experience firsthand how crops grow, learn about planting cycles, and gain a greater appreciation for the hard work behind the pumpkins they pick. For children this type of education is particularly valuable. It introduces them to concepts like seasons, plant and animal life cycles, weather and food production in a fun and engaging way.
Beyond entertainment, a pumpkin patch is a great place to start a conversation about the challenges all farmers face including weather, pests and market pressures. Most people don’t realize the risks that farmers take to ensure that food makes it to their tables. When visitors walk through a field of pumpkins, it gives the farmer a chance to explain how farming involves more than just planting seeds. It requires knowledge, patience, resilience and sometimes a little luck.
These businesses also provide an essential revenue stream for small farms that often struggle with all the challenges farming naturally presents. Offering educational experiences not only benefits the farm financially but also connects consumers emotionally to the land. When visitors leave with pumpkins that they have picked themselves, they carry more than produce. They leave with stories, memories, a better understanding of agriculture and often a newfound respect for farmers.
Through programs like farm visits, field trips, farm schools, seasonal events and pumpkin patches, we have a great opportunity to combat misinformation and fear about food production. With social media rampantly amplifying these misconceptions about agriculture, it is crucial to provide accurate, hands-on learning opportunities that foster trust in the farmers and the farming community.
Ultimately, agriculture education through farming and agritourism allows people to reconnect with the land and agriculture’s importance to our existence. Owning a pumpkin patch and farm school are powerful ways to combine education and entertainment, giving individuals the tools to appreciate where their food comes from and help cultivate future generations that value and understand agriculture.
