Archive for March, 2009
Agritourism Farm Boasts 1st Orange Grove Maze
I am often asked, “what’s next in agritourism?” Thanks to Bob McKellar at the Historic Seven Sycamores Ranch in Ivanhoe, California, I can tell you that this Easter there is a 1st in agritourism. The first two weekends in April, families are invited to accept the challenge of finding their way out of a 9 acre orange grove maze.
Weather permitting the fragrance of the orange blossoms will be at the peak of their bloom. We are all familiar with corn mazes, hedge mazes, box mazes, straw mazes etc. but no one (until now) had thought of trying a spring maze on a family farm in the midst of a blooming orchard.
Thanks to Maize Quest and their design assistance - Seven Sycamores will be bringing families to the farm to enjoy the orange grove maze, see the Easter Bunny, participate in games and just have fun. I always say that the scope of agritourism activities is just defined by the creativity of the farmer. Congratulations to Bob and staff for coming up with the 1st Orange Grove Maze.
To find more farms offering family activities this Easter be sure and visit the North American agritourism directory on www.ruralbounty.com
AgriTourism Trends-More Weddings on the Farm
More and more brides are seeking non traditional locations to have their weddings and receptions. Couples are looking for beautiful and unique outdoor settings that deliver a natural environment for their big day. While many brides today are opting for ”destination weddings” which can be out of the country at a glamorous resort they are also choosing something closer to home that can be just as special.
I read recently that having both a wedding and receiption on a farm is a leading 2009 trend as identified by the wedding industry. The New York Times did an article on this very subject last fall. I know of many farms that are now getting into the wedding business including Historic Seven Sycamores Ranch just outside of Visalia, California. They have recently started booking weddings and have found prospective brides like the idea of being married in the midst of fragrant orange groves.
Stanley’s Old Maple Lane Farm outsite of Ottawa, Canada has three private settings for wedding ceremonies plus they drive the bride to the ceremony in a horse drawn carriage. Finding farms that provide wedding services may not always be easy but the new directory www.ruralbounty.com is a good website to begin your search.
Historic Seven Sycamores - Ivanhoe, California
Stanleys Olde Maple Lane Farm Edwards, Ontario - Canada
Loyalty Programs Engage Our Best Customers
Loyalty programs at farms are really quite simple to develop. Some offers that I’ve seen include: Buy 12 Dozen Sweet Corn and get the 13th Dozen Free or Purchase $100.00 of products from our Garden Center – Get $20.00 Free. We even had one at our custard shop – Purchase Six Sundaes or Concretes After 6 PM and get your 7th Free. You develop the reward program to suit your business.
I know some farmers in the past have told me a Loyalty Program was “just a gimmick.” Well, I’m here to tell you that this gimmick works! Wouldn’t you like to have WOM Champions telling everyone about your farm market or agritourism business?
Underwood Farms
Reward for Purchase
10 Ways to Get Media Coverage for Your Farm
It’s time for all agritourism farm operators to develop a media strategy for your coming season. Getting the news media to talk about you and publish a story is far better than paid advertising however, you do have to work at doing this type of media exposure. Here are just a few ideas that could warrant media coverage.
1. Write a simple press release about something you have added to your farm, an upcoming event or announce a new activity.
2. Deliver a basket of your fresh homegrown product to the news room of the local radio or television stations with a short note about the harvest.
3. Offer to speak at a local business club meeting.
4. Host a non profit event or fund-raiser at the farm.
5. Sponsor a cooking contest or dessert contest for the BEST APPLE PIE in the County.
6. Ask a local business to come & demonstrate their products on your farm.
7. Invite a local “expert” to the farm to be a featured speaker
8. Donate a portion of your sales or admission tickets (for a day) to a “good cause”
9. Offer a “free pass” to your corn maze to everyone with your same zip code
10.Announce a photo contest for all pictures taken at your farm, or during specific season or event.
Whether you use the conventional form of writing a press release or any of these special promotional ideas to get the media interested to write a story or announcement about your farm it’s well worth your time. If you need more information about who to contact, what to write, when to send etc. you might want to check out my book <Fresh Grown Publicity.>
