News: Farms Experience Agritourism Boom In Tennessee

With the autumn colors continuing to turn stronger, pumpkin patches across middle Tennessee are seeing more and more customers every day. It's part of an agritourism business that's growing bigger every year.



The state says it's seeing more of these businesses pop up, and expanding beyond things like a simple pumpkin patch -- with things like a fun house or even a light show.

The Tennessee Agritourism Association was formed 10 years ago to promote the expanding business sector.

Folks who run Honeysuckle Hill farm in Springfield said it's important to grow their agritourism business, while staying close to their roots.

"We're not going to add a water slide or a theme park, but we are going to improve our pumpkin patch by adding an inside place to do corporate events in the winter time like Christmas parties," said Jeff Alsup, the owner of Honeysuckle Hill Farm.

Just seven years ago, Honeysuckle Hill farm said they had about 10,000 customers. This year, they're expecting 70,000.