Farm to Fork

Northeast Mississippi agritourism operation annually hosts more than 10,000 farm visitors

Story by Leah Barbour | Photos by Kevin Hudson

The best way to learn about farms is to visit one.

Take Wise Family Farms in Pontotoc. It’s a family-owned operation hosting families for tours, playtime, and fun, and close to 15,000 people visit the farm each year.

Owner Stanley Wise, who grew up farming with his father and grandfather, explains that he got his start in agritourism the year his father allowed him to plant whatever he wanted on 2 acres.

“In 2003, we started and opened a corn maze. One sister had a snack bar, and my other sister ran the general store; my brother did wagon rides. My family all had jobs during the day, and we did this nights and weekends,” Wise remembers. “We had about 3,000 people that first year, and we knew it was time to concentrate on that corn maze."

“Now, we host at least 10,000 in the fall and 4,000 in the spring.”

About 65 of 80 acres host the thousands that come. Not only does Wise Family Farms have corn mazes and a general store with homemade foods, including canned goods, fudge, and kettle corn, but the farm also hosts a pumpkin patch and a playground. Different fields showcase different crops, so wagon rides are available; there’s even a petting zoo.

“Even the stuff that grows wild, people think is beautiful,” Wise says. “People who come just love the beauty of the seasons. People bring their families and put their phones down. They play together, whether it’s cornhole, checkers, mini-golf, or racing. People are coming out here and enjoying their time together.”

Wise Family Farms is also part of the Mississippi Hills Farm to Fork Foodie Trail. Listed as “farm-fresh delight and agritourism,” the farm allows visitors to taste foods grown at the farm and learn about sustainable farming practices.

“The kids aren’t just playing—though they are playing—they are also learning about farms and crops grown here in Mississippi,” Wise explains. “We actually use Extension information for the educational programs for children.

“People really don’t understand how much information comes through Mississippi State University, the experiment stations, and the Extension Service,” he affirms. “Extension does matter.”

The MSU Extension Service offers programs and has experts to consult in youth development, agriculture, agritourism, and marketing, just to name a few.

“For a farmer to transition to an agritourism operation, it’s going to involve every member of the family,” Wise explains. “I used Extension Service equipment, GPS in fact, to make my corn maze.

“Without Extension, I wouldn’t be here. I still use publications for crops and flowers; my sisters use the canning information from Extension. The county agent and the home economist are like members of the family. When you connect with Extension, you will get what you need.”

Farm to Fork Foodie Trail partners include Extension, the Mississippi Tourism Association, the Mississippi Main Street Association, and the Mississippi Hills Heritage National Area. Thirteen northeast Mississippi counties include businesses along the Trail, including Calhoun, Chickasaw, Clay, Itawamba, Lee, Lowndes, Marshall, Monroe, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Pontotoc, Tishomingo, and Union.