WEEKLY HARVEST

Pumpkin patch transforms into farm safari during coronavirus outbreak
KATU-TV
A Northwest Portland pumpkin patch and farm has been forced to think outside the animal pen during the coronavirus pandemic in order to survive the financial fallout. Plumper Pumpkin Patch and Tree Farm has transformed into a "farm safari" by allowing visitors to stay in their vehicles and tour the property.

#MakingItWork: Featuring Allandale Farm General Manager, Helen Glotzer
WBUR-FM
Living in and around Boston, it's easy to think that you're not exactly living in a rural environment. Life is spent on streets and sidewalks with parks providing respites of green. A bucolic exception, situated between Brookline and Jamaica Plain, is Allandale Farm — a WBUR Underwriting partner.

Will your entertainment or cultural venue be ready for the post-lockdown guests?
White Hutchinson
The consumer for out-of-home entertainment, cultural and other leisure experiences that emerges after the lockdown will be different than the consumer we knew just two months ago. A heightened concern for safety from disease is one of the many ways their behaviors and expectations will have changed. The effects of epidemics extend long term after they are over.

Celebrate the 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival with these stunning virtual tours
Country Living
The popular Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, which usually draws millions of flower lovers to its hundreds of acres of vibrant tulip fields in Mount Vernon, Washington, was originally scheduled for April 1 though April 30. In lieu of in-person visits, some of the participating tulip farms are now offering absolutely stunning photographs, videos, and even virtual tours of the rows and rows of colorful flowers on display.

Family Owned ... Locally Grown - Savor the Stress!

Our farming industry is ripe with family-based businesses. Insights and ideas that have been passed down through the vines linking one generation to the next become the new innovations of our industry for the future.

As our businesses age and mature, and as our next generation of family members begins to do the same, it is a fine time to re-evaluate our present, revisit our past and recommit to the future.

Virtual tastings help Texas wineries connect amid coronavirus

Austin 360 One of the simplest, most fundamental ways that people can connect is over the dinner table with food and drink. And in these next few weeks, as an increasing number of cities and states in the U.S. issue shelter-in-place orders amid the coronavirus pandemic, such connection is going to be more essential than ever, Kuhlman Cellars founder Chris Cobb says. Located along U.S. 290 on the way to Fredericksburg, Kuhlman shut down its tasting room the night before Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the closure of bars and restaurant dining rooms statewide last week.

Officials: Nevada's agritourism industry has plenty of room to grow
Northern Nevada Business Weekly
The Nevada Farms Conference recently wrapped up a successful event in Fallon, providing tours and discussions from area businesses about improving farming techniques and marketing agritourism across the Silver State. While many workshops and discussions catered to specific audiences, the city of Fallon, along with other professionals in marketing, presented information on the agritourism industry. Jane Moon, the city's director of Tourism and Special Events, said agritourism in Nevada is like a small community.

Farm Bureau's Agricultural Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) Week, with its theme "20:20 Vision on Ag Safety" takes place this week, March 1-7.

Farm Bureau and U.S. Ag Centers will focus on a different safety area each day of ASAP Week:

• Monday, March 2 – Mental Health
• Tuesday, March 3 – Transportation Safety
• Wednesday, March 4 – Weather Disasters
• Thursday, March 5 – Confined Spaces
• Friday, March 6 – Farmer Wellness

Check out the following links for important safety information, promotional ideas, and how to get involved.

https://www.fb.org/events/2020-ag-safety-awareness-program-week/

https://www.kfb.org/Article/File/get?path=Files%2Farticle-174890%2F2020-ASAP-Week-Promotional-Toolkit.pdf

The fight to keep farmers' markets open during coronavirus
Civil Eats
At the downtown Berkeley Farmers' Market last Saturday, shoppers showed up in droves, despite the cold, rainy weather. There were no samples, no musicians, and most vendors were wearing gloves. Many sold everything they had, which is unusual for March, when the fruit is scant and many of the farms bring the same arrays of greens, root vegetables, and onions.

State leaders collaborate to promote agricultural-based tourism
WBRZ-TV
Louisiana is home to about 30,000 farms and Dr. Mike Strain, the state's Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry is determined to draw more out-of-state visitors to these farms and other tourist attractions. Dr. Strain is collaborating with Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser to promote state agritourism via a series of videos that will appear in various websites and on social media platforms.