Autumn often draws families outdoors to enjoy farms, pumpkin patches and hayrides. That same seasonal spirit inspired Farm & Fun, a new digital guide to agritourism destinations in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee published by Farm Credit Mid-America.
Agritourism is a growing industry that connects agriculture with tourism and helps farmers diversify their income while supporting local economies and strengthening rural communities. Farm & Fun highlights more than 120 farms and markets that open their gates and invite visitors to come on site and experience seasonal activities and produce, all while getting a closer glimpse of the hard work that goes into producing our food, fiber and fuel.
“Agritourism is one way many farmers and their families share traditions and create enjoyable farm experiences for the public. It reminds us that agriculture touches every part of our lives,” said Tara Durbin, chief lending officer, agriculture at Farm Credit Mid-America. “Farm & Fun was created to celebrate and support the people and places responsible for producing so many of the goods and products we enjoy every day. We hope this guide will help others discover new places to go and increase their appreciation for our farmers and rural communities.”
A Year-Round Invitation to Explore Agriculture
While autumn is most often associated with agritourism, many farms offer seasonal experiences for visitors throughout the year. Farm & Fun is a year-round resource for anyone seeking authentic and educational ways to connect with agriculture. Spring afternoons selecting blooms, summer mornings gathering blueberries, fall visits to pumpkin patches and winter evenings around farm-to-table dinners are just a few examples of the experiences included.
The Farm & Fun agritourism destinations were recommended by Farm Credit Mid-America team members who live and work in the rural communities the cooperative serves. Inside the guide, potential visitors can:
- Explore more than 120 destinations in a six-state area divided into regions to help them easily identify agritourism attractions close to home or plan visits to destinations further away.
- Review short descriptions highlighting the experiences each listing offers. These include information about year-round events or activities so visitors can plan memorable experiences in any season.
- Access interactive links to websites and/or social media pages to confirm important details such as dates, hours of operation and pricing.
The launch of Farm & Fun reflects how Farm Credit Mid-America is securing the future of rural communities and agriculture®.
“This project reflects who we are,” Durbin said. “We live out here too, and we’re proud to support the farmers and rural businesses who make our rural communities stronger.”
Click here to view or download Farm & Fun.
Securing the future of rural communities and agriculture is a registered trademark of Farm Credit Mid-America.
