Special Tomato Tour Article

Darrell Blackwelder

August 11, 2004

     Patterson Farms, Inc. is now incorporating Tomato Tours as part of their multi-dimensional farming operation. Years of experience with children’s programs fuels Michelle Patterson’s educational programs about tomato and vegetable production for youth. A well-choreographed slide show and hands on activities provide both children and adults information that focuses on trellised tomato and vegetable production in Rowan County.  Ms. Patterson comments that “children need to understand the importance of our food source. Many see strawberries in the grocery and don’t understand why we don’t have strawberries in August”.  Her intent is to provide children the opportunity to actually see how tomatoes and other vegetables are produced and learn their seasonal nature of vegetable production.

     The farm tours actually start in early spring with a spring pizza tour when students plant an herb garden and receive a tomato plant. Adding a tomato tour in late summer gives children the chance to actually pick a ripe tomato.

     Over the past five years, farm tours have become increasingly important part of the Patterson farming operation. Approximately 18,000 students, teachers and adults attended a Patterson Farm tour last year. Farm tours require a great deal of coordination and manpower. Twenty people are necessary to make these tours successful.

     A family operation since 1919, brothers Doug and Randall Patterson are responsible for vegetable production as well as helping with the tours. Patterson Farms, Inc. is the largest trellised tomato producer in North Carolina producing tons of tomatoes to consumers from Porto Rico the Canadian provinces. The year round operation encompasses a vast array of vegetables, small fruits, ornamentals as well as greenhouse crops.  A retail outlet allows the Patterson’s to also market locally.

     Tomato tours, pumpkin tours, strawberry tours-what’s next for Patterson Farms-canning and home preservation programs? With the resurgence of nutrition and increasing importance of dietary concerns, it seems like a natural progression. Many have approached Ms. Patterson about the possibilities conducting information programs on canning and home preservation. There’s an entire generation of us out there that has no clue on how to can home grown tomatoes or make homemade bread and butter pickles. Michelle is considering the program for the spring of 2005.  With the vast amount of produce available; it’s the type of program that many may welcome as way to preserve fresh produce.