Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: December 5, 2007

Director of Agriculture Discusses the Importance of Agritourism with Missouri Producers

(LIBERTY, Mo.) – Today Director of Agriculture Katie Smith met with Liberty producers to discuss agritourism opportunities and other marketing ideas to help producers add value to their farmland as a part of Gov. Matt Blunt’s designation of Liberty as Missouri’s Capital for a Day. During a visit to Carolyn’s Country Cousins, a pumpkin patch and market in Liberty, Director Smith met with Buddy & Carolyn Raasch, co-owners, and other area agribusiness owners and community leaders, to hear about the Raasch family operation and to hear some of the challenges their industry faces while learning more about their progressing business and other businesses in the Liberty area.

“Agritourism is a growing sector of Missouri agriculture and many producers are taking advantage of the opportunity to add value to their farmland by establishing pumpkin patches, corn mazes, Christmas tree farms and farmers’ markets,” said Director Smith. “Carolyn’s Country Cousins is a great example of how adding agritourism can open up new opportunities to educating visitors of the agricultural industry and diversify farmland.”

Carolyn’s Country Cousins pumpkin patch began in 1991 and went from selling pumpkins at a farmers’ market in Liberty to selling pumpkins right on the farm. In the months following, agricultural-based attractions were added offering 50 acres of u-pick pumpkins, two retail stores, a petting farm and play area for children, pig races, a replica 1853 steam train offering rides to children, wagon rides and is home to the largest corn maze in Missouri. Carolyn’s Country Cousins is ran by the entire family; older sons, Errie and Bernie, run the Liberty Corn Maze while the entire family works on the pumpkin patch including daughter, Lillie, age 17 and son, Charlie, age 12.

“Agritourism is the perfect mix of agriculture and tourism – two of Missouri’s largest industries. By opening our doors to the public, it has enabled us to diversify our farm, give our children an opportunity to stay on the farm and create a value-added product for our farm,” said Carolyn Raasch, co-owner of Carolyn’s Country Cousins. “Families are now two to four generations removed from the farm and don’t get to go visit Grandma and Grandpa’s farm every weekend and summer like they used to. Through our family business, we are able to give children and families an opportunity to enjoy the countryside, have some fun, learn about agriculture and create family memories.”

For more information regarding Carolyn’s Country Cousins, visit www.carolyncountrycousins.com.

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