Celebrating 40 Years in Agritourism: A Journey from Crisis to Growth
As we celebrate 40 years in business this year, we invite you to join us on a special journey through time. Every Monday, we’ll share a new memory, reflecting on the growth and evolution of our farm and the agritourism business we’ve nurtured. From humble beginnings to the thriving destination you know today, we’ll trace the steps that led us here—and the challenges that shaped our path.
Overcoming the 1980s Farm Crisis: A Turning Point for Agritourism
The 1980s were a challenging time for farmers across the United States, and our farm was no exception. Back then, our operation was focused primarily on row crops, 1,100 hogs, 1,000 Christmas trees, and 100 head of cattle. But the economic downturn and falling commodity prices during the farm crisis left the future uncertain. To survive, we needed to adapt.
Amid these struggles, our founder, Farmer Fred, knew the farm had to evolve. It was clear that the old ways weren’t sustainable, so Fred began exploring innovative solutions to keep the farm afloat. During this time, he stumbled upon the concept of agritourism, which would ultimately reshape the farm’s future.
The Birth of Agritourism: Fred’s Big Leap into Growing Flowers
The idea of diversifying into agritourism took root when Fred learned about a woman in Madrid who was making significant profits growing flowers for drying. Inspired by this success, Fred took a leap of faith and, in 1985, decided to try growing flowers for drying—a completely new venture for him.
Starting with limited knowledge of flower farming, Fred planted a small quarter-acre plot of statice (white, blue, yellow, and rose) and strawflowers. It was a steep learning curve, and Fred faced many setbacks—his first attempts often ended up in the burn barrel. But he remained determined, learning as he went and refining his techniques.
First Steps in Agritourism: The Local Farmers Market and Beyond
Fred’s next move was to introduce his dried flowers to the public. He began selling at the local farmers market in downtown Des Moines, which at the time was a humble gathering in the Spaghetti Works parking lot. Despite the lack of experience and the market’s modest size, Fred persevered, building relationships with other local farmers and learning the ins and outs of the floral business.
And there’s another story Fred loves to share about those early days. He jokes that the real reason he got into dried flowers was because, after working with hogs, he didn’t exactly smell like a guy women would want to talk to. But if he smelled like flowers instead? Well, that was a whole different story! So, Fred planted flowers—and not only did it help boost his business, but it also helped him improve his social life, too!
A Legacy of Innovation and Growth in Agritourism
From those first flowers in 1985, the farm has grown in ways Fred never imagined. What started as a small, experimental project has blossomed into a cornerstone of our agritourism experience. Over the years, we’ve continued to diversify, expand our offerings, and refine our approach, all while maintaining a deep connection to the land and the community.
As we celebrate this milestone of 40 years in agritourism, we are grateful for the lessons learned, the challenges overcome, and the incredible support from our visitors. Stay tuned each week as we share more memories and milestones from our journey, and discover how we turned adversity into opportunity, shaping the vibrant agritourism destination we are today.
Are you ready to find out what we did next? Catch our next post HERE
