Christmas Trees and Ziplines: How Indiana Farmers Diversify

A Thorntown, Indiana, Christmas tree farm got its start back in 1985 to diversify their farm products – and 25 years later, based primarily on word-of-mouth advertising, visitors come from all over the state to Dull’s Christmas Tree Farm. They now have a granary-turned-wreath barn, a hospitality cabin, 25 acres of pines and pre-cut firs, all resulting a truly unique holiday experience for any family. “We don’t sell trees,” owner Tom Dull says. “We sell the experience.”

Dull’s is just one family farm that has added a new venture to draw new customers. In 2008, Patrick Noonan of Rising Sun, Indiana, added zipline adventures to his Dazag Acres farm, in addition to planting certain grasses to attract dove, quail, turkey and deer.

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Watch the video above, produced by Natural Resource Enterprises at Mississippi State University, to learn more about how Indiana farmers are working to expand their farm base, bring in new revenue, connect with the land, increase conservation efforts and reach out to new customers.