Visitors to Carolyn's Country Cousins in Liberty, MO, were able to get an up-close look at how everything runs and how their pumpkin doughnuts are made.
2
of
32
NAFDMA 2014 Bus Tour
Carolyn's Country Cousins in Liberty, MO, offers lots of agritainment possibilities for children who come to the farm.
3
of
32
NAFDMA 2014 Bus Tour
Carolyn's Country Cousins in Liberty, MO, offers a lot of activities for younger children who come to visit.
4
of
32
NAFDMA 2014 Bus Tour
Kettle corn is a popular item to offer at agritainment venues such as Carolyn's Country Cousins in Liberty, MO.
5
of
32
NAFDMA 2014 Bus Tour
A farm-related slide at Carolyn's Country Cousins in Liberty, MO.
6
of
32
NAFDMA 2014 Bus Tour
All signs at Carolyn's Country Cousins in Liberty, MO, was branded with the Carolyn's name.
7
of
32
NAFDMA 2014 Bus Tour
Visitors to Carolyn's County Cousins in Liberty, MO, catch up in the Red Barn Café.
8
of
32
NAFDMA 2014 Bus Tour
Shatto Milk Company in Osborn, MO, used a marketing company to overhaul the company's packaging and design.
9
of
32
NAFDMA 2014 Bus Tour
Shatto Milk Company in Osborn, MO, sells milk in flavors such as cotton candy, strawberry, root beer, coffee, banana, and other seasonal flavors.
10
of
32
NAFDMA 2014 Bus Tour
The milk tasting room and store at Shatto Milk Company in Osborn, MO.
11
of
32
NAFDMA 2014 Bus Tour
The grounds at Alldredge Orchards in Platte City, MO.
12
of
32
NAFDMA 2014 Bus Tour
The apple orchard at Alldredge Orchards in Platte City, MO.
13
of
32
NAFDMA 2014 Bus Tour
Curt Alldredge of Alldredge Orchard says that if you are thinking of getting geese for a petting zoo, get an African goose, like the he is feeding because they are gregarious and vocal, as seen in Platte City, Mo.
14
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
Kitchen detail at Alldredge Orchards in Platte City, MO.
15
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
Vintage equipment is used in wedding photos for guests at Alldredge Orchards in Platte City, MO.
16
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
The admission and ticket barn at Weston Red Barn Farm in Weston, MO.
17
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
Visitors examine the tractor wagon at Weston Red Barn Farm in Weston, MO.
18
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
The grounds of Weston Red Barn Farm in Weston, MO.
19
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
Lighting detail in the wedding reception room at Weston Red Barn Farm in Weston, MO.
20
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
The facilities, including the bridal dressing room, at The Barn at Schwinn Produce Farm in Leavenworth, KS.
21
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
The ceiling in "party mode" at The Barn at Schwinn Produce Farm in Leavenworth, KS.
22
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
The Barn at Schwinn Produce Farm in Leavenworth, KS, used vintage doors to creatively add personality to the bathroom facilities.
23
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
Lighting detail at The Barn at Schwinn Produce Farm in Leavenworth, KS.
24
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
Part of the bottling process at Louisberg Cider Mill in Louisberg, KS.
25
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
Louisberg Cider Mill labels at the facility in Louisberg, KS.
26
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
Vintage cider press in Louisberg Cider Mill in Louisberg, KS.
27
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
Entrance barn to Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in Overland Park, KS.
28
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
Vintage tractor seats were used in a farm theater at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in Overland Park, KS.
29
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in Overland Park, KS, sported many farm-related details. Nothing was missed.
30
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
Creative hand washing stations at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead at Overland Park, KS.
31
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
Vintage tractor at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in Overland Park, KS.
32
of
32
NAFDMA Bus Tour 2014
Copy Editor Christina Herrick (pictured lower left) poses with NAFDMA convention-goers on Bus 4. (Photo credit: Erin Piro)
The focus of this year’s conference was to offer real-time advice and ideas for busy agritainment operators.
Growers not only attended sessions that focused on human resources, social media, and on-the-farm entertainment, but also how to expand their business operations with the addition of unique offerings.
Attendees were encouraged to network, swap ideas, and share successes with people from around the country as well as international guests.
Sandwiched between learning sessions were three days of bus tours, where visitors were encouraged to explore every aspect of the operations, ask questions, and get a behind-the-scenes view. Each bus served as a mobile-classroom between stops, to continue the learning.
Christina Herrick is former Editor of American Fruit Grower magazine and Western Fruit Grower magazine, published by Meister Media Worldwide. See all author stories here.
February 11, 2014 
