Gross Farms is today perhaps best known for it’s pumpkin patch, U-pick strawberries, and of course, its corn maze. The corn maze in particular stood out this year, with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources awarding it first place in their statewide America 250 NC Corn Maze contest. But while Gross Farms began inviting visitors to their fields in 2002, their history farming their land stretches back more than a century, through seven generations. The evolution of their business shows how, today, Lee County growers have a new option for sustainable income and prosperity: agritourism.
Agriculture has been a part of our community’s fabric from the very beginning. According to the most recent USDA Agriculture Census, there are 31,204 acres of farmland in Lee County, almost 20% of its total area – but that area is shrinking. As farmers face mounting economic pressures, including rising input costs and fluctuating markets for their goods, some family farms have ceased operations. But agritourism offers a way for farmers of all kinds to adapt and thrive – one that our area is seeing more and more of. As the state’s population grows, there’s ever more people who want to learn more about where their food comes from, and who are looking for family fun. Agritourism gives them a chance to get closer to their local farmers while simultaneously supporting them.
And agritourism is already big business for our community. Agritourism revenue in our community grew 800% between 2017 and 2022, with nine different dedicated agritourism farms in Lee County alone – compared to just one in 2017. The Sanford Farmers Market remains the #1 gateway for out-of-town visitors entering Lee County on Saturdays, with more than 41,000 attendees since opening in April. The new Pilgrim’s Sanford Agricultural Marketplace hasn’t just kept the rain and sun off famer’s heads; it’s created a destination to visit for locals and outsiders who want fresher food sold by people they know and trust.
So, as we celebrate Gross Farms and their statewide recognition, it’s worth taking time to think about what their success means for our community as a whole. While farmers have been here since the beginning, over the centuries, what farming looks like has never stopped evolving. The growth of agritourism in Lee County reflects that, even as conditions change, our area’s farmers are ready to adapt and to thrive.