For all the talk about sustainable agriculture, most small farms
are not self-sustaining in a very basic sense: they can't make ends
meet financially without relying on income from jobs off the
farm.
But increasingly farmers are eking more money out of the land in
ways beyond the traditional route of planting crops and raising
livestock. Some have opened bed-and-breakfasts, often known as farm
stays, that draw guests eager to get a taste of rural living.
Others operate corn mazes - now jazzed up with modern fillips like
maps on cellphones - that often turn into seasonal amusements, with
rope courses and zip lines. Ranchers open their land to hunters or
bring in guests to ride horses, dude ranch style.
Known as agritourism, such activities are becoming an important
economic boost for many farmers.
The New York Times talks to Hollyhock Farm and Full House Farm in
California for this article on small farms finding profit in
tourism.
Photo: Hollyhock Farm