Seward Farms, a third-generation operation, has expanded its enterprise mannequin over the previous 20 years by opening its gates to hundreds of vacationers every season. What started with a single corn maze in 2002 now contains greater than 20 actions, a seasonal occasion calendar and an occasion venue that seats as much as 500.
“Educating the general public about farming and getting the phrase on the market — and in addition making a really cool, superior place to return and play … actually brings everyone collectively,” stated Susan Seward, who co-owns the farm with relations.
Farms develop greater than meals
Mississippi has greater than 31,000 farms overlaying 11 million acres, however few residents have common contact with agriculture. At Seward Farms, kids from prekindergarten via highschool go to on discipline journeys to learn the way meals is grown and harvested.
“They study what we do right here, how we’re very diversified right here on our farm, and the way all of that rolled in collectively really makes their day rather a lot simpler,” Seward stated.
She stated college students be taught in regards to the crops grown on the farm — peanuts, cotton, corn, wheat and oats — and what they’re used for. Within the fall alone, the farm hosts round 10,000 college students.
That academic mission has taken on higher urgency as the typical age of a Mississippi farmer reached 59.6 in 2022, in line with the U.S. Division of Agriculture.
A lift to native economies
The shift to agritourism has additionally turn out to be an essential native financial driver, in line with Seward. Seward Farms hires about 80 workers every fall, plus 50 extra for seasonal occasions like Haunted Nights. Further employees are introduced on for spring and winter sights, together with Spring on the Farm and Breakfast with Santa.
“We by no means have sufficient time,” Seward stated. “The cattle must be fed day by day and watered day by day when the crops are able to be harvested.”
She stated having additional arms throughout vacationer season helps stability farm operations with customer calls for.
Many guests journey an hour or extra to achieve the farm, and Seward stated their presence contributes to the broader native economic system. She stated out-of-town company usually keep in Lucedale or eat at native eating places, producing income past the farm itself.
Constructing neighborhood connection
Whereas agritourism contributes to financial growth, guests say it additionally helps deliver individuals collectively.
Kerry Lion, who lives in Go Christian, has been bringing her grandchildren to Seward Farms for 5 years. She stated the farm is likely one of the few locations the place kids can work together with animals, see crops rising and study rural life in a hands-on means.
“I believe it’s bringing alive one thing that you just don’t usually get to see wherever else,” she stated. “It’s an ideal alternative for teenagers to expertise different animals too that they would not usually get to see.”
The farm additionally serves as a social hub for individuals from totally different areas and backgrounds.
“It’s a giant neighborhood occasion — whether or not or not it’s the hayrides or attending to know individuals,” she stated. “It’s an ideal alternative to satisfy new individuals.”
Katelyn Hager, a first-time customer from Cell, Alabama, stated Seward Farms reminded her of rising up within the Midwest.
“Being right here simply is sort of a really feel of house,” she stated. “Each youngster form of wants one thing like this. It is like a typical fall enjoyable exercise, so I really feel prefer it’s really enjoyable for any age.”
Seward stated agritourism helps farms diversify their revenue and agriculture. Dealing with stress from consolidation, local weather change and concrete sprawl, agritourism provides farms a uncommon alternative to diversify their revenue whereas additionally fostering public consciousness and assist.
This article first appeared on RHCJC and is republished right here beneath a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
