Agritainment (Agriculture + Entertainment) in Western PA

Patronizing these types of businesses brings the average person a little closer to where their food comes from. However, less than 1% of the US population still farms (NASS, 2007), and increasing numbers of folks don’t have a relative in living memory who owns a farm. This combination of factors has created a business opportunity for many farmers to have on-farm seasonal festivals open to the general public. These activities are collectively referred to as ‘Agritainment’, which comes from the combination of the words agriculture and entertainment and can equal fun and profits.

 Agritainment takes several shapes and can include B&B farm stays, petting zoos, pick your own, seasonal dinners and fall festivals with hayrides. These activities in addition to traditional farm work and sales can provide an increased margin of profitability for farms. In Western PA, there are a few wonderful farms that welcome involvement of their customers via Agritainment. Notably,Weatherbury Farm has farm stays. Large farm festivals occur seasonally at Trax and Soergel’s, while Triple B Farm has a robust market and education program for school field trips.

 To help customers learn more about Agritainment the Direct Marketing team at Penn State Extension is collaborating with a team of Pittsburgh filmmakers to create a video entitled: ‘Agritainment, down home fun on the farm’, which was recently shot at Trax Farm’s Fall Festival. Watch for the video in 2013. It will be shared widely and freely with Pennsylvania farmers to post on their own farm websites!

Check out the farms mentioned in this article for some fun on the farm!

Soergel’s Orchards     www.soergels.com/

Trax Farms               www.traxfarms.com/

Triple B Farm            www.triplebfarms.com/

Weatherbury Farm     www.weatherburyfarm.com/