Farm Director, KC Sheperd, had the opportunity to visit with Kelli Payne, of Growing Paynes in Mustang, Oklahoma, and co-founder of the AIM (Agriculture Immersion and Mentorship) Program. Payne and Sheperd talked about the AIM Program, her journey with Growing Paynes, agritourism, and more.
“AIM stands for Agricultural Immersion and Mentorship,” Payne said. “We wanted to introduce students to agriculture in a different way, give them some opportunities, not a full-fledged internship where you’re working for just one company all summer long, or just a shadow opportunity, but we wanted to take them around the state, and let them meet some people that have really done some great things in agriculture.”
Payne said AIM started as one of her many dreams that came to fruition when she saw there was a great need to fill. Now, she gives students an opportunity to get involved with agriculture in new ways.
“That coincided with trimming of all the strawberry plants in the greenhouses,” Payne said. “By the time they got done, tomato harvest was coming on, and pumpkin planting happened in between. So, they certainly had their work cut out for them.”
Payne said the interns came at a convenient time, being that she was gone for most of June. Payne credits her sister for helping with the program and said the students got to participate in a diverse set of experiences on her own farm.
Payne also talked about how Growing Paynes began.
“Growing Paynes started as another kind of a dream,” Payne said. “We had looked at different ways to diversify the operation, and that’s something I still believe is really, really important.”
Founded 10 years ago, Payne said the goal of Growing Paynes was to diversify her farm, and now it is certified Oklahoma Agritourism.
“That drought last year was when we realized, you know, we did the right thing 10 years ago,” Payne said. “That’s when we first started it. Let’s give ourselves a different opportunity in case the cattle markets aren’t any good or a drought occurs, and you’ve lost a crop. Now you have something else to fall back on.”
The work is more labor intensive than your regular agricultural markets, according to Payne, but worth it. Not only does it provide benefits to your own operation, but opens doors to be an advocate for agriculture with urban individuals as well.
“We’ve got great customers that we’ve had for years that drive for more,” Payne said. “We have customers from Oklahoma City, and we have customers from Edmond, and it’s been really neat to watch these families that started coming when we first opened.”
Payne said she is fortunate to have people support her agritourism farm more than she ever expected. As Growing Paynes grows, she’s so happy to see families return over the years as loyal customers.
Payne said there is a hidden market and gem in agritourism. Having Growing Paynes has allowed her to encourage others to branch out into different types of agriculture, realize the market that is out there, and be a resource to anyone hoping to get their own start.
“My sister and I’ve always joked about being experimental gardeners and accidental agriculturists,” Payne said.
From pumpkins this year to horseradish, blueberries, and everything in between, Growing Paynes has done it all. While the crops in Payne’s backyard are a different sight than the cattle that inhabited that space at one time, she does not mind because of the experience and chance to be a resource for knowledge.
“Extension plays a big role in this, too,” Payne said. “Always feel free to reach out to your extension agent and go to some of these other outfits and see what they’re doing. There’s something out there that’s going to work for you where you can put a few extra dollars in your pocket.”
For those looking to start a new venture, Payne said she is an advocate for utilizing one’s resources, including extension, ODAFF, or even her and her family.
To learn more about Kelli Payne’s story, visit Growing Paynes, or the AIM Program on Facebook.
