CULLMAN, Ala. – Local participants had the chance to get up close and personal with
some of Cullman’s agritourism farms on Wednesday, Nov. 1, as Cullman Farm-City (CFC) held its annual Farm-City Tour, leading up to Alabama’s Farm-City Week. In conjunction with Farm-City Week, CFC also hosts its Farm-City Banquet (scheduled this year for Nov. 21), and aims to bridge the gap of understanding between rural farmers and urban families.
The Cullman Farm-City Committee chooses a Family of the Year each year, rotating between choosing a Farm Family and City Family.
Said Kira Sims of the Cullman County Extension Office, “These city families chosen have an impact related to farming; so you can see the fiber with the clothing, and snacks like fruit and vegetables given out are all integrated with farming.”
Curt’s Closet
Ashley Wilson, 2022 CFC City Family Award winner, at Curt’s Closet was the first stop
on Wednesday’s excursion and Wilson was prepared to show visitors the ropes.
Participants were led into the main building, where children and families can
come up to three times per year and “shop” for clothing and necessities. Curt’s Closet
has grown exponentially since Wilson created the nonprofit in 2017.
“This all started in my home. I never imagined it would grow to the place it is, where we are building our second warehouse,” Wilson said.
Curt’s Closet reported placing over 20,000 clothing and accessory items directly into the hands
of Cullman’s children in 2022; Wilson and Curt’s Closet also fulfilled the Christmas
wishes of 527 children last Christmas with its extension, Curt’s Christmas.
Graveman Farm
Next, the tour made its way to the southeast corner of the county and headed to Graveman
Farm. Unfortunately, owner Michael Graveman had to close his farm to visitors suddenly due to an outbreak of avian flu in central Alabama. However, Graveman didn’t leave tour-goers in the cold for too long as he loaded his goats, Dixie and Weather, into a trailer and met the tour across the road at 4D Farm.
Graveman Farm supplies locals with fresh produce, local meats, milk, cheeses and soaps. Graveman Farm was the 2021 recipient of the Alabama Farm Family Award. Graveman also serves as the manager of the Festhalle Farmers Market, which incorporates the POP or “Power of Produce” program, a partnership with various local agencies and vendors of the market that allows children “money” in exchange for taste tests. Children can use this “money” to purchase their own locally grown goods – a smart, fun way that Graveman and the market try to get the younger generation involved in agriculture.
4D Farm
4D Farm was next on the itinerary, with Rusty Daniel touring guests around the family-friendly location. 4D Farm had humble beginnings as a small chicken farm, and through community engagement and visits, now boasts a pumpkin patch with locally grown gourds, corn mazes, multiple educational games and animals for children and their families to learn about farming.
Daniel and his family have completely embraced the idea of agritourism, truly turning their family farm into a family day destination, even holding a total of eight fresh food locations throughout their farm, hoping visiting families spend their entire day enjoying their facility.
Hillcrest Farms
Rounding out the last farm visit was Hillcrest Farms, known for its poultry and beef. Guests were able to watch cows being fed and learn more about the breeding and management processes for raising cattle and how they differ on smaller ranches versus factory farms. By incorporating modern cattle artificial insemination techniques and supplementing income from beef sales with lower-maintenance poultry farming, Karen and Mike Hill have maintained a steady flow of cattle.
While Hillcrest Farms’ processing schedule is fairly regular, there are a few heifers who go a little early. “If they’re bad-natured, they won’t stay…that’s one thing that will make them have a trip to town!” laughed Karen Hill.
Berlin Farmers Market
The last stop of the afternoon was the Berlin Farmers Market. A farmers market is generally most smaller-scale growers’ and ranchers’ last stop, too, as many use state-sanctioned markets like Berlin’s or the Cullman Festhalle to sell and distribute produce, meats, eggs and baked goods.
Berlin Town Clerk Keirstyn Montgomery said attendance has risen since the market’s inception four years ago.
“Every year we try to add a little more, and we’re really excited the Town of Berlin has budgeted funds for it next year,” smiled Montgomery, mentioning an exciting expansion plan that will allow for more vendors and parking spaces to accommodate more guests. Berlin’s market also incorporates the POP program mentioned above.
Attendance is expected to continue to increase – a good thing, according to local grower and Berlin market mainstay Steve Clark.
Clark spoke plainly when he chimed in, “The old growers are dying out,” noting the need for younger generations to step in the gap and keep the agricultural economy moving.
To learn more about Cullman Farm-City, visit www.facebook.com/CullmanFarmCity.
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