Fall fun is proving big business for family farms in Wisconsin, with visitors flocking to places such as Apple Holler in Sturtevant for a day of apple picking, pumpkins and outdoor activities.
Dave Flannery, who runs Apple Holler with his family, said the attraction of visiting a farm goes well beyond buying fresh produce. Families are drawn by the chance to spend time outdoors, take part in seasonal activities and create traditions of their own.
Apple Holler began as an abandoned orchard bought by Dave and Vicki Flannery in 1987. The family restored its old milking barn as a restaurant and later expanded the site with thousands of apple, peach and pear trees, as well as a pumpkin patch.
The Sturtevant farm now covers 78 acres and has more than 30,000 fruit trees, according to Apple Holler. Its autumn offering includes pick-your-own apples, hayrides, farm tours, barnyard animals and seasonal food from its bakery and restaurant.
Wisconsin’s agricultural tourism industry brings farms and visitors together at a time when many growers are preparing for the winter months. Activities such as apple picking and pumpkin festivals give families another reason to visit while providing farms with additional income beyond the sale of crops.
At Apple Holler, the family-farm experience has become a business in its own right, combining farming with hospitality, food and entertainment. The result is an autumn destination where visitors can enjoy the harvest while supporting a long-established local enterprise.
