Farmers Turn to Agritourism as Industry Faces Challenges

As the agricultural industry faces challenges such as declining prices and rising input costs, farmers are turning to agritourism as a way to generate consistent revenue. Patterson Fruit Farm in Ohio is one example of this trend, where about a fifth of its revenue comes from ticketed activities like corn mazes, tractor rides, and weddings.

The farm's owner, Bill Patterson, says they started exploring agritourism in the 1990s to alleviate overcrowding at their on-site farmer's market. Today, agritourism accounts for a significant portion of the farm's revenue, with about 80% coming from sales at its market and local grocery stores.

According to the USDA, the number of farms in Ohio that engage in agritourism has increased by 27% between 2017 and 2022. The number of visitors to these farms has also risen, by 33%. This trend is not limited to Ohio, with many farmers across the country turning to agritourism as a way to supplement their income.

For some farmers, agritourism is a lifeline. MaryEllen Hamlin manages Derthick's Farm and Corn Maze in Ohio, which has been family-owned since 1806. She says that virtually all of her profits come from agritourism, as the price of corn is not great and hay production brings little income.