BY ELISABETH ARRIERO

Staff Writer

MONROE

You don’t have to be a farmer to experience the joys of farm life.

Several local farmers are opening up their property to the public to showcase everything from alpacas to corn mazes.

Agritourism is a growing trend in North Carolina, said Martha Glass, manager of the agritourism office in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

It encompasses many things, including corn mazes in the fall, Christmas tree farms in the winter and strawberry picking in the spring, Glass said.

In fall 2003, there were about 25 agritourism farms in North Carolina. That number has increased by 1500 percent, to 400 businesses today.

“Agritourism is value added agriculture,” Glass said, adding that the motivation to open farms to the public stems from making money and trying something new and exciting.

The business is fairly lucrative for farmers, with 52 percent of agritourism farms in 2004 making up to $9,999 on agritiourism alone. Thirty two percent made between $10,000 and $49,999 annually, according to survey data collected from the state agritourism office.

Bridger Medlin, owner of Southern Breezes farm, allows the public to go onto his property to experience the wild west. A mock town that’s open year round for private parties and in the fall to the public, The Wild West is complete with an old church, a general store and dirt floors in the buildings. Attendees also have the opportunity to write in a carriage around Medlin’s property.

“It just makes sense if you can make something out of it. If you’ve got it, why not use it?” said Medlin, whose full time job is managing Charlotte Center City Carriage tours, a horse and carriage business.

Agritourism has also grown in popularity among residents, who might be trying to save money in the current economy, said Craig Swindler, vice president of the Agritourism Networking Association.

“People don’t want to travel as far. So they’re taking mini-vacations,” he said.

Agritourism may sometimes be the only opportunity for a young child raised in the suburbs or city to ever come in contact with farm animals, said Joe Porter, co-owner of Awesome Alpacas in Monroe.

“It’s an educational day for people to learn about live animals, about the fleece and about what alpacas are used for,” said Porter, who held a farm day for the public Saturday.

For older residents, the visit may be a very nostalgic experience, Medlin said.

“They’re the last generation that had to work the fields with mules and horses,” he said. “Preserving that history is very important. “

A few to visit

Here’s a sample of the agritourism being offered this fall locally

Ah Shucks: Now through November, visitors can explore a corn maze, visit an old-time general store, take a hayride and more. General admission is $9 and those under 3 years get in free. For more information, visit www.AwShucksFarms.com.

The Wild West: At Southern Breezes Farm, visitors can take horse drawn wagon rides, pan for gems, play mini golf and visit a general store. Admission is $6 and those under 4 years get in free. For more information, call 704-764-3796.

Waxhaw Farmers’ Market Halloween Parade: At 11 a.m. on Oct. 31, the market will host a musical parade, followed by children’s trick-or-treating. The event is free. For more information, visit www.WaxhawFarmersMarket.com.

Waxhaw Farmers’ Market Fall Festival: On Nov. 7, the market will host guest speakers that include a local beekeeper and a representative from the Master Gardeners of Union County. For more information, visit www.WaxhawFarmersMarket.com.

For information on other agritourism farms in the state, visit www.visitncfarms.com.