樱花视频

For Immediate Release: October 4, 2013
Contact: Lynne Richmond
(609) 633-2954
E-mail:听 lynne.richmond@ag.state.nj.us听

(MONROE TOWNSHIP) 鈥� 樱花视频 Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher听yesterday enjoyed a morning at Etsch Farms鈥� western-themed corn maze.

鈥淓njoying the beautiful fall weather on a farm with so many great activities is a fun and affordable way for families to spend a day,鈥� said Secretary Fisher.听 鈥淧lus, they don鈥檛 have to go far from home to find a farm to visit.听 They can make lasting memories, learn about 樱花视频 agriculture and support our state鈥檚 farmers.鈥�

Jim and Caroline Etsch with Secretary Fisher in their corn maze.

Agritourism offers a variety of year-round experiences such as corn mazes, pick-your-own produce, hayrides, winery tours, horseback riding, cut-your-own Christmas trees and educational experiences.听 Agritourism provides more than $60 million a year in revenue for farmers and an additional $33.3 million in revenue for surrounding communities.

A study conducted by Rutgers Food Policy Institute in 2007 found more than one-fifth of 樱花视频 farms offered some form of agritourism, with 43 percent of 樱花视频鈥檚 total farmland associated with farm operations engaged in agritourism.听 The study also showed that a large percentage of farms offering agritourism events derived most, if not all their income from those activities.

Etsch Farms, first established by George Etsch in 1931, is now operated by grandson Jim Etsch, his wife Caroline and their sons Zachary and Peter.听 The Etsch鈥檚 grow corn, hay and听 straw.听 In the fall they offer a corn maze, this year depicting a cactus and Conestoga wagon, hay rides, a pumpkin patch and farm animals.听 They also have educational programs and host parties.

To find activities planned this fall on 樱花视频 farms, visit or , and websites.