Michigan farmers pride themselves on tradition; even if what is seen as traditional changes over time. Nestled right here in Lenawee County, Carpenter Farms, a fifth generation farm, continues to stay true to the tradition of a family farm while looking for new ways to unite farmers and families. What does this mean exactly?
The answer is agritourism. Agritourism defines the places where agriculture and tourism connect. Anytime a farming operation opens its doors to the public and invites us in to enjoy their products and services–that’s agritourism. Carpenter Farms has been growing their agritourism business since 2008 when they opened their pumpkin patch. Carpenter Farms’ pumpkin patch isn’t just your ordinary pick a pumpkin, have some cider, and leave kind of patch. It’s a fall family extravaganza, complete with barnyard buddies to cuddle and feed, corn maze to conquer, and super cool swing where you can swing and land into a giant hay pit. There are also activities for their littlest visitors, such as the corn box and straw maze. Now, what three-year-old doesn’t enjoy jumping in a box of corn kernels?
At Carpenter Farms, agritourism isn’t just about fun, it’s also about education. The family farm hosts class tours and parties so they can help our youth understand where their food comes from and, more importantly, get them excited about agriculture. Most Americans are two or more generations removed from the farm. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 1820, 72% of our nation’s workforce was engaged in agriculture; by 1920 that number reduced significantly to 30%. Today, just 2.1% of U.S. residents are involved with agriculture. Carpenter Farms’ agritourism business offers the opportunity for the public to connect with local agriculture and experience a taste of farm life. What better way to learn about local agriculture than to meet the farmers that grow your food and enjoy a beautiful day outdoors.
The Carpenter Farm isn’t letting the fall season have all the fun. In 2016 they added their greenhouse business. The greenhouse season opened on April 27th and runs until mid-June. Abby Carpenter, a fifth generation farmer, says that this year’s greenhouse will have an exciting combination of old favorites and new varieties to keep your landscape and patios vibrant and blooming all summer long! One of the newer trends has been their Supertunia Vista Bubblegum Petunias. Did I just say Bubblegum Petunias? While these plants aren’t edible, they definitely are vigorous, vibrantly colored and can be seen in the landscape at Adrian College and other Lenawee County municipalities.
With over 50,000 visitors a year, an outing to Carpenter Farms has become a new tradition for many local families. The top reason that local families visit the farm is because it’s a family-friendly, farm experience that gets the family outdoors. Agritourism farms are unique destinations with close to two-thirds of visitors attending with the whole family. Busy schedules and travel costs can limit the number of weekend getaways a family can take, but a day trip to the Carpenter Farm provides an affordable, fun experience while supporting its sustainability. Sustainability means a thriving farm to hand on to the next generation. For the Carpenters, that could mean a six, seven, or even eight generation family farm. If you haven’t paid a visit to Carpenter Farms, put it on your summer or fall bucket list. Who knows, you might be starting a new tradition for your family.
Article written by:
Denise M. Dusseau
Writing Specialist and Content Developer
Interview by:Matt Garno
Published by: Get Lenawee
