The air is crisp, and the skies seem especially blue. That’s right, fall is almost here.

Harvest and the holiday season are coming, so now is the time for that last family outing before the craziness begins.

Farmers who have taken on the task of providing these great entertainment opportunities love sharing their farm with the public. Agritourism has become a big business that provides additional cash flow to many farm families.

The venues are wonderful ways to expose the public to agriculture. These are times when farm families have to be all hands on deck, plus have additional staffing to make the experience a pleasant one.

I recently visited with a couple who are fulfilling their retirement dream with a pumpkin patch and fun center with outdoor activities for people ages 2 to 102. This is their sixth year of operation, and they have added new features to their place each year.

These venues take a lot of work and planning. The pumpkin patch I visited starts choosing the pumpkin varieties for the next season in December or January. It’s just one example in my area where farms are providing interactive activities for visitors. Most have food available, and hayrides often are one of the activities.

So, if you are not a host to one of these agritourism venues, grab up the family and go visit one in your area. You may not need to learn about your area’s agriculture, but you will have some fun with your family. I’ll bet you will find other farmers to visit with as well.

Most pumpkin patches and corn mazes open in early September and continue through Halloween. Be sure to check their websites to learn if the activities are appropriate for the children in your family.

Listen to a podcast

I have recently found a new tool to learn more about agriculture around the country. Willie Vogt, editorial director of Farm Progress, has a podcast, “Around Farm Progress,” where he interviews editors from magazines all over the U.S.

I especially enjoy hearing stories from states far from home. I have learned about cotton, beef, conservation practices in the South and activities in Washington, D.C., that affect agriculture.

Some of the writers are also farmers, so they are vested in learning about and sharing the most up-to-date happenings in agriculture.

Another one that is fun to listen to is “Young Farmer Podcast,” hosted by Chris Torres. It has been many years since my husband and I could be considered young farmers. The exciting, innovative young people who are coming up in the industry today are great to listen to. It is great to know that the future of agriculture is in their hands.

The great thing about podcasts is that you can take them with you. If you have a boring job to do, listen while you work. Catch a podcast after you come in for the evening and just need to unwind.

If you haven’t found podcasts yet, ask some of your farmer friends. I’ll bet they’ll have some favorites to recommend.

For me, podcasts make great listening while knitting.

Videos are another great learning tool. I haven’t used these much for agricultural topics, but have heard area farmers talk about learning new techniques to use on their farms. One of the nice things about videos is that you can replay the part you want to focus on over and over until you figure out how you can use the information on your farm.

Google a topic that you want to learn more about, and you will find videos to help you see what other farmers are doing.

Please be careful this harvest season. Your family needs you.

Gregg writes from western Pennsylvania. She is the Pennsylvania 2019 Outstanding Woman in Agriculture and is a past president of American Agri-Women.