Texas agricultural land is yielding more than livestock and crops. A growing number of tourist and outdoor sports enterprises are sprouting up on the state’s farms and ranches.

Hunting leases have always been big in Texas — and they’re getting bigger — but often other nature tourism enterprises are cropping up.

These enterprises include Christmas tree farms, ersatz western towns, ziplines, corn mazes, farming experiences and petting zoos.

Richard and Toni Kaska operate the Kaska Family Farm near West, which offers seasonal activities like a 10-acre corn maze, haunted trail and pumpkin patch.
Jerry Larson/Waco Tribune-Herald

There also are rural bed-and-breakfasts, and wildlife photography and bird watching opportunities.

The majority of these operations are part of farms or on land converted from farming.

A strong desire exists among families for outdoor educational experiences, which is creating a market that can be tapped by rural landowners, said Miles Phillips, a specialist with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

“There’s a big trend to have more family outing opportunities,” he said. “There are 13 corn-maze operations in Texas.”

Alternative businesses can be lucrative, said Joe Pena, an economist with the AgriLife extension.

A cattle rancher who makes $6 per acre running cattle can collect $12 with an agritourism enterprise, he said.

Several examples can be found within an hour’s drive of Waco.

Justin Young helps manage his family farm in McLennan County, where leases are offered for deer, dove and hog hunting, he said.

Christmas tree farms have taken root in McLennan County. Near Grandview, in southern Johnson County, the Beaumont Ranch claims the state’s longest zipline.

The Kaska Family Farm near West will have another season operating its 10-acre corn maze, haunted trail and pumpkin patch from Sept. 23-Oct. 31.

Toni and Richard Kaska run the operation with help from their four children — Kirby, 12; Kortni, 13; Kelsey, 16; and Katelynn, 17. The couple bought their 75 acres in 2003, Toni Kaska said.

Richard Kaska works in a family business. Toni Kaska has an administrative job at Baylor University.

Farming 75 acres isn’t lucrative, so they decided to do something else with the land, she said.

Toni Kaska said that regardless of what a person does with their land as a tourism business, it’s a lot of work.

A landowner must understand liability, comply with laws and regulations that apply to the business venture — and it usually means keeping a lawyer handy.

The Kaskas’ business caters to young families, she said. They get thousands of visitors each year, and many are urban folks trying to feel the earth under their feet, she said.

“A lot of people say they just want to get out of the concrete,” she said.

For information about the Kaska Family farm, visit the website at www.kaskafamilyfarm.com. For more about agritourism and attractions, go to www.rpts.tamu.edu/tce/NT/nt09.

bteeter@wacotrib.com

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