Agritourism in the Spotlight

In Europe agritourism experiences can be found when you venture off the beaten path. You can help pick olives or oranges, stay in a shed next to wooly sheep, or lunch with a beekeeper in an apiary surrounded by honeybees.

John McGivern and production crew at Lake View Organic Farm filming Main Streets

When I bought my little farm down the road from William's Lake View Organic Farm, tourist opportunities excited me and my plans grew. I dreamed of a "Farm Store" where people could not only buy products from the farm, but also be part of the work, tour gardens or watch farmers in action. When I met and later married William, I proposed we open a farm store, and was thrilled he agreed. He also agreed to plant sunflowers so we could offer delicious cooking oil, seeds for birds and sunflower field touring experiences for visitors.

That was SIX summers ago! Since then we've learned a lot about marketing, advertising, and generally what works and what doesn't. I am very happy to say, AGRITOURISM, influenced by my trip to Europe, is taking root in our little piece of paradise here in Western Wisconsin. I like to call this area "Fransconsin!"

In March, producers from John McGivern's Main Streets, (A PBS Travel Show), reached out to ask if they might visit the farm. This week their film crew spent an hour filming William's farm and our Farm Store as part of a piece they are putting together to highlight our "neighborhood." The show will cover a number of the little towns and backroads haunts that dot Wisconsin's Great River Road near us, and AGRITOURISM is getting a nod! I'm pretty proud to be part of this community and pretty proud of the role we play in offering an off-the-beaten path experience to our customers. I can't wait to see the episode! I'll keep you posted when it comes around.

Summer is moving quickly, so pack the cooler with ice, book a room and come on out for some farmy fun! We're expecting the sunflowers to pop open sometime between August 8th and the 20th.

As always, I send you much love from the farms!

Sarah