Photo by Kim Elsasser
Lisa Olson 0715
I remember summer being a time when I got a chance to run around barefoot until the streetlights came on and my feet were black, and swimming in my local pool and eating at least one Fudgsicle per day. That was in my younger years but not too much has changed. I still love Fudgsicles and a swim on a hot summer day. Add to that a sunny patio, good food, a glass of wine with friends, and being a tourist.
With summer here, growers and businesses are implementing the new ideas and plans they came up with over the winter. The new plan can be as simple as a new greeting or taste sample you offer your customers or adding a whole new venture into your existing business model.
In this issue, we are featuring some great ideas on agribusiness to inspire you; from the unique creation of ‘tiny wineries’, to how the Young Agrarians are building a community of new entrants into agriculture with education, potlucks, mentoring and networking events.
As people become more interested in how their food is grown, agritourism is hot! Its magnitude on some farms and wineries is so huge with regard to world-class restaurants and rockin’ concerts to hay rides and corn mazes that have become popular destinations for visitors and locals. Also in this issue, we feature a few businesses that have either just embarked on the agritourism side and others who have been at it for a while.
We offer you some important steps to help you sell your products directly to retailers and restaurants, if you want to. One thing you will notice after reading, is that it is good to be well prepared.
With all your planning and hard work this summer, make sure you take enough leisure time to enjoy a Fudgsicle and local fruit and produce with family and friends.
Happy summer to all.