VIDEO: Local Farms Boom With Agritourism For Fall

CALEDONIA, Miss. (WCBI)- One of the biggest attractions for people to come to Mississippi is its agriculture. And fall happens to be one of the most popular times for agritourism.

October happens to be agritourism month… and no wonder! The leaves start changing colors and local farms turn their harvest into attractions for the public.

One local farm goes by the name of Pine Meadows Farm throughout the majority of the year; but come fall they go by “Country Pumpkin”.

“We’ve been busy harvesting corn and cotton and wheat and our pumpkins started coming in around the third weekend of September. And we like to open the farm up for the children and community to enjoy the harvest with us,” says Pine Meadows Farm owner Jean Colson.

Colson and her husband own Pine Meadows and they can’t believe how it’s boomed.

What first started in 2006 as a small pumpkin patch has expanded to an all outdoors venue.

“I think around 2011 I don’t know what happened, but it just took off and everyone wanted to come and so we’ve had to add things to the pumpkin patch as the crowds have grown,” says Colson.

Between the cotton toss, corn maze, hay ride, stuff the scare crow, and tight rope walk … There’s something for everyone.

“I think we have about maybe close to twenty activities for the children to enjoy when they come to the farm,” says Colson.

All these attractions bring in people from all over.

“We’ve had people that travel here from Utah Alabama, and Starkville, Tupelo, Fayette, Alabama is here today for a field trip and Starkville’s here today. Yesterday, we had West Point and Columbus, Starkville and I think someone came from Utah, Alabama,” says Colson.

The Columbus Air Force Base has even brought people in from over seas visiting the farm.

“We’ve had people from Germany, France, we’ve had them from Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Argentina. But they just come from all over the world,” says Colson

Mississippi’s un-fall like temperatures haven’t kept the crowds from pouring in.

“Despite the fact that it’s been really warm, we have had huge crowds this fall. They come despite the weather,” says Colson.

Colsen says her and her husband’s passion for agriculture has kept them opening up their farm year after year.

“I believe only about two percent of the population of our country actually live on farms. And so it’s kind of a unique experience for the children. And as you know the small farms are dying and they’re becoming big corporations; and we just feel like the children should have an opportunity to experience farm life,” says Colson.

Mississippi State says that the economic impact of agritourism is nearly 3-point-5-million dollars a year.

Now you can come out and visit Country Pumpkins anytime from now until November 6th.