Walters is spokesman for Kansas Agritourism Initiative
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Pick up any magazine with an article related to agritourism in Kansas these days and you're likely to see the name Becky Walters.
Walters and her husband, Carroll, have spent the past 15 years developing Walters' Pumpkin Patch on the family farm along U.S.-77 south of Burns. The Walnut River snakes through the 17 acres which make up the enterprise.
Walters is a member of the committee promoting the Kansas Agritourism Initiative established by the state legislature.
She will speak from experience when she addresses the state conference on agritourism Nov. 3-4 in Great Bend.
Walters will share the nuts- and-bolts of establishing an agritourism enterprise from the ground up. She said such businesses are common on the east and west coasts but only now are beginning to take root in Kansas.
"Many people can't afford to take a week's vacation to Disneyland or some other big tourist attraction, but they like to get out into the country," Walters noted.
The enterprise started when she planted a patch of miniature pumpkins for a nursery in El Dorado.
Before long, a teacher requested permission to bring her class to the plot, but Walters wasn't sure if she could handle that. She was worried about the possibility of muddy and messy conditions.
However, the seed was planted in her mind and, a year or two later, a visit was arranged.
"We had more fun than the kids when they came," she said.
From then on, the agri-business began to grow. Using the time they had outside their full-time jobs, the couple developed several pumpkin patches, playgrounds, a tree house, a shelter house for group picnics, and other areas of interest.
A few years ago, Walters quit her job to devote full-time to "playing in the dirt," as she put it.
Walkways are available for those who want to stroll the grounds and see the timely sights hidden among the trees, such as ghosts, goblins, scarecrows, and hobos.
Pumpkin patches are accessible by foot, and coaster wagons are available to transport pumpkins from the field.
A hay wagon is specially- outfitted with benches to take people to the field, if they so desire.
In 1998, Walters added a gift shop which features homemade baked goods, salsa, jelly, candles, and fall decorating items. All are attractively displayed on antique furnishings including an old farm wagon.
At first, Walters said, visits to the pumpkin patch were free, the only cost being the purchase price of pumpkins at 35 cents per pound.
Two years ago, a $3 admission fee was instituted to help cover the cost of improvements. Pumpkins remain at 35 cents per pound.
Walters said she was looking for help in expanding the business when someone suggested she contact the Kansas Department of Commerce. She was especially interested in obtaining the help of a consultant but couldn't afford the fee.
KDOC hired the woman and sent her to Walters. She surveyed the grounds and made helpful suggestions.
The Walters also receive suggestions as members of the North American Farm Direct Marketing Association.
One idea they received at the annual convention last year was from another couple who operates an agritourism business. They suggested the Walters enlist the help of computer students at Butler Community College to electronically design a corn maze, using a GPS system.
They did, and the finished maze, a grizzly's paw, is related to the school's logo. Another design already is in the works for 2005.
More recent additions include a man-made mountain with an interior tube slide, a pond, and a long, swinging bridge over the creek, leading to the Land of Giants (giant pumpkins, that is!).
The couple discovered that corporations and other businesses are another source of funds for developing their business.
Walters recently received a $6,000 grant to bottle and market her Pumpkin Patch Salsa. It has a tomato base but also includes pumpkin, thus adding value to the product. She is in the process of obtaining pumpkin-shaped jars with screw-on lids.
Another grant application has been submitted for the addition of a certified kitchen in which to produce the salsa and other goods.
"A kitchen would help us utilize more of our pumpkins," Walters said.
The building also would include restrooms (Porta-Potties are available now) and a room for painting and craft classes.
A recent first-grade visitor to Walters' Pumpkin Patch was disappointed to learn he wouldn't get a piece of pumpkin pie for lunch. The addition of a kitchen may change that.
The Kansas Legislature recently passed a law absolving agri-tourism business owners from liability resulting from accidents on their property. A large sign on the Walters' property proclaims the law.
"We try to make everything as safe as possible," Walters said, "but we wouldn't want to be without insurance."
She said she welcomes any questions about their agri-tourism business. She can be reached at 316-320-4150 or e-mail: bcwalters@prodigy.net.
