Fri, 07 Oct 2022 12:22:26 CDT
Associate Farm Editor, Reagan Calk, got the chance to visit with the Agritourism and Farmers Market Coordinator at the Oklahoma Department of Ag, Micaela Halverson, talking about Oklahoma Agritourism and exciting things coming up this month.
“I am the marketing coordinator for Oklahoma Agritourism and if you don’t know what agritourism is, it is anywhere you can experience agriculture in the state of Oklahoma,” Halverson said. “So, all of these farms and ranches are inviting the public out to their farm to experience agriculture in some sort of way.”
There are many different categories to explore, Halverson said, from “U-pick” farms where visitors can enjoy locally grown harvestables they pick themselves, to horseback riding and Christmas tree farms.
“This is one of my favorite times of the year,” Halverson said. “Everyone is getting ready for fall and the way to do that is to visit a pumpkin patch or maze.”
Halverson said there are over 40 different pumpkin patches and mazes across the state that are opening their gates to visitors. These operations offer an assortment of activities, she added, such as U-pick produce and hayrides.
“If you haven’t been to one of our fall venues, a pumpkin patch or maze, I highly recommend it,” Halverson said. “I have been to a couple already this week and have had a blast getting to pick out pumpkins. At any age, I would recommend going. Whether it is small children to adults- there is something for everyone and they are just a lot of fun.”
The food at many of these venues, Halverson said, is great as well.
“I got to sample some pumpkin pecan fudge that was made right there on the farm and was used with some of the pumpkins that were grown,” Halverson said.
There is something for everyone, Halverson said, whether it is the food, games, mazes, pumpkin picking, or great fall picture opportunities.
“We have all of our pumpkin patches and mazes listed on our website,” Halverson said. “You will search by their category and then you can see what venues are around you depending on where you are located in the state or maybe where you are traveling.”
Information such as venue websites, and Facebook and Instagram links are listed on the Oklahoma Agritourism website, Halverson said.
Another great place to look for venue information, Halverson said, is on the Oklahoma Agritourism Facebook and Instagram pages where they are sharing posts from the venues and pictures of what to expect at these pumpkin patches and mazes.
“We are sharing a lot of our venues, and their posts, so you can stay up to date with when they are open and what their seasonal hours are,” Halverson said.
For those who want to be part of Oklahoma Agritourism and open their farm or ranch to the public, Halverson said they can reach out to her or Whitney Wilkinson, the other Oklahoma agritourism coordinator.
“We have to officially approve them to be in our program,” Halverson said. “It is free, but it is just a consultation and sight visit out to the farm and getting them signed up, so my contact information is on the website, or you can even direct message us on Facebook or Instagram or give us a call or email us, and we would love to visit with those potential producers and would love to sign up more pumpkin patches across the state.”
Click the LISTEN BAR below to listen to Reagan’s conversation with Micaela Halverson on Oklahoma Agritourism this fall.
