In the fall, it’s not unusual for social media feeds to be saturated with photos of families enjoying pumpkin patches or apple orchards.
Parents stage photo shoots with kids posing next to giant, orange pumpkins. Corn mazes challenge the curious and intrepid. Local schools take field trips to farms for kids to enjoy hayrack rides and see livestock up close. Fresh cider and pick-your-own apples draw many locals to orchards, usually bringing home a dozen homemade apple cider donuts on their way out.
These many examples are just a taste of agritourism, businesses that link agriculture and tourism to connect consumers with educational and cultural experiences on working farms. Johnson and Washington counties have seen an increase in local farmers seeking to diversify their offerings in the form of agritourism.
“Through agritourism, farms become a destination for the public to connect with farmers
and agricultural operations for enjoyment, education, and active participation in the local
food system. It is also a great way to spend some time with your family while learning about local agriculture,” said Sarah Thompson, the rural development director of Greater Iowa City, Inc. (Greater IC), who works closely with Johnson County to identify ways to further advance the successes and opportunities in agritourism across the area.
Symbiotic relationship
Consequently, Johnson county agritourism businesses have begun meeting regularly, with the aim of creating an agritourism destination by branding together. Mary Audia, the president of the Washington Economic Development Group (WEDG), foresees a positive influence being made on the local communities while benefiting these microenterprises.
“Local ‘you-pick’ berry and apple farms, pumpkin patches, lavender and honey farms, food booths, and other types of microenterprises are becoming more popular. These places are a terrific way to explore the community and discover new things right in your backyard,” said Ms. Audia.
Agritourism has the potential to support farms of various sizes located near urban areas, while sustaining smaller and mid-sized agricultural enterprises. It can serve as a valuable means of boosting farmers’ earnings, offering a crucial approach for addressing financial inequality in situations where market access is limited. In Iowa, agritourism and recreational services income per farm more than doubled between 2002 and 2007.
Local agritourism
- Prairie Patch Farm, is a 50-acre private wildlife refuge and nature preserve where they host one-of-a-kind experiences with their llamas.
- Colony Acres Family Farm is a year-round family farm gearing up for Halloween and a new 2023 fall harvest season. Guests can follow along on Facebook and their website for seasonal specials and events. Group discounts and season passes are available.
- Calyx Creek Lavender provides a sea of corn and beans and lavender fields, with sweet lavender lemonade and handcrafted lavender syrup for sale. Tours through the lavender fields and a food market are unique features of the microenterprise.
- Wilson’s Orchard and Farm was established in 1980. Wilson’s Orchard & Farm is a pick-your-own fruit and vegetable farm located just a few miles North of Iowa City, IA. “You-pick” apples and flowers are available seasonally, and the Cider House Restaurant is now open year-round.
- Orange Acres was started by Kari and Brayton Turner as a pumpkin patch in 2021 and in its third year, has grown to adult and kid events, games, tractor rides, and opportunities for seniors to come and share in the family experience.
- The Kalona Byways Tours run April through October. The guided bus tour visits farms and rural businesses in the Kalona countryside.
