source: Farm and Food Report
Agritourism as a means to diversify income sources on the farm has been getting increased attention lately because of the number of options that can be considered, as well as the number of success stories right here in Saskatchewan.
The magnificent Historic Reesor Ranch in the Cypress Hills, where each guest room has its own theme, is a case in point. The William D. and Alice Room celebrates the lives of the first Reesor family in the Hills, with artifacts and photographs lovingly displayed on the walls. The Keith and Helen Room features the second generation; the Ranch Hand's Room interprets the lives of those less celebrated who contributed no less to the success of the ranch.
Everything about the 1916 ranch house, yard and buildings tells of the hardships and joys of life in a part of the world that one must inhabit to truly understand. Authenticity radiates all around the ranch, thanks to its heritage. Yet, authenticity can be articulated in innumerable ways.
Just east of Saskatoon, St. Denis' Champetre County espouses a theme that resonates with the Denis family and countless Saskatchewan residents: nostalgia for the Old West. Hence, the frontier town of Tumbleweed was erected out at the Denis farm. It comes with a Sheriff's Office, where guests register; the Howling Coyote Saloon, the main facility for meals and special events; as well as a General Store, a Town Hall, and a Boarding House. Therese and Arthur Denis have created quite the place out here on the prairie.
"We have moved beyond the farm," says Therese. "We have really become a destination. We had to market it right because we are located away from highways, so we chose to focus on group functions. We host family reunions, weddings, corporate events and meetings -- we are constantly honing the experiences and services we offer to answer our customers' needs. For instance, we have a complete photographic studio on-site, so guests can take home with them a little piece of our place here."
The authenticity in this case emerges from the fact that Therese and her family still live right here in the yard, which is tended with the kind of attention to detail one finds normally in the most meticulously looked-after gardens. "We are welcoming these guests at our place a bit like you welcome a friend in your home. In a way, we become part of their celebration; they become part of our family."
It should also be noted that Arthur Denis happens to be Tumbleweed's Sheriff. Guests are advised to be on their best behaviour for the duration of their stay.
Of course, when the natural beauty of the surroundings is as overwhelming as one encounters at Aylesbury's Trails End Guest Ranch, very little theming is required. From Highway 11, the big sign catches the eye. A quick drive east over a couple of kilometres and you enter the picturesque Arm River Valley. Meet Lyle Benz and his wife Chris. She's originally from the eastern United States; he was born and raised around here. They share a passion for horses and cattle.
The Guest Ranch achieved new heights about four years ago, when Lyle came to realize that his 1,000 acre ranch was attracting all kinds of visitors. "We had a lot of city people who used to come down here. It is such a beautiful place in the summertime. They asked us if they could come down for the weekend, and being that I was here every day, I didn't recognize the significance of this until after a few occasions. I had to ask people what they saw here that I didn't? The serenity of the valley is basically the first thing they came up with; the peacefulness; just the aura of the valley itself, the ruggedness of it."
In 2001, they opened the guest ranch with three comfortable cabins made out of cleverly refurbished wooden grain bins. The humble original farmhouse is also available for rent. They have a hot tub; they built a kitchen/office building down by the creek as well as a stable and a sheltered riding arena.
What experiences do they offer? "The whole cowboy experience," according to Lyle, "to go out and ride with us and work with us on everyday activities; checking fences, checking cattle, helping us treat a sick one. People are invited to participate in our round-ups and general herd management procedures. We also offer hourly trail rides. All the land down here in the valley is native grass."
The ruins of a turn-of-the-century sod house are still visible on the hillside across Arm River. The stove sits in the middle of it. Apparently, the homesteader's wife loved this place so much she had herself buried on a point on the hillside, overlooking the valley.
Interpreting the local landscape to visitors is what Chris and Lyle love most, next to sharing their love of horses. "We are set up for people who bring their own horses, as well," says Chris. "We have a complete horse obstacle course. We have bridges; we have a teeter-totter that you ride your horse across. We teach guests how to swim with their horse. We have corrals; outdoor rings; we have a race track; we have full service RV sites if they want to come in and bring their campers with them."
Lyle Benz has noticed a change in the profile of visitors in recent years.
"One of the drawback people in Saskatchewan have about vacationing with their horses is everybody grew up on a farm and in a lot of cases, the last thing they want to do is go on a farm and see a horse. The first generations away from the farm are the ones coming back now. They are really interested in Grandpa and Grandma's roots. We have had a lot of guests from Alberta coming back. Mum and dad moved to Alberta in the '60s, '70s -- they just want to see where Grandma and Grandpa homesteaded."
The Centennial year looks like it will be a good one for agritourism in Saskatchewan.
For more information, contact:
Therese and Arthur Denis
(306) 258-4635
http://www.champetrecounty.com/
Theresa Reesor
(306) 662-3498
http://www.reesorranch.com
Trails End Guest Ranch
http://www.guest-ranch.ca
1-866-885-0775
Agritourism as a means to diversify income sources on the farm has been getting increased attention lately because of the number of options that can be considered, as well as the number of success stories right here in Saskatchewan.
The magnificent Historic Reesor Ranch in the Cypress Hills, where each guest room has its own theme, is a case in point. The William D. and Alice Room celebrates the lives of the first Reesor family in the Hills, with artifacts and photographs lovingly displayed on the walls. The Keith and Helen Room features the second generation; the Ranch Hand's Room interprets the lives of those less celebrated who contributed no less to the success of the ranch.
Everything about the 1916 ranch house, yard and buildings tells of the hardships and joys of life in a part of the world that one must inhabit to truly understand. Authenticity radiates all around the ranch, thanks to its heritage. Yet, authenticity can be articulated in innumerable ways.
Just east of Saskatoon, St. Denis' Champetre County espouses a theme that resonates with the Denis family and countless Saskatchewan residents: nostalgia for the Old West. Hence, the frontier town of Tumbleweed was erected out at the Denis farm. It comes with a Sheriff's Office, where guests register; the Howling Coyote Saloon, the main facility for meals and special events; as well as a General Store, a Town Hall, and a Boarding House. Therese and Arthur Denis have created quite the place out here on the prairie.
"We have moved beyond the farm," says Therese. "We have really become a destination. We had to market it right because we are located away from highways, so we chose to focus on group functions. We host family reunions, weddings, corporate events and meetings -- we are constantly honing the experiences and services we offer to answer our customers' needs. For instance, we have a complete photographic studio on-site, so guests can take home with them a little piece of our place here."
The authenticity in this case emerges from the fact that Therese and her family still live right here in the yard, which is tended with the kind of attention to detail one finds normally in the most meticulously looked-after gardens. "We are welcoming these guests at our place a bit like you welcome a friend in your home. In a way, we become part of their celebration; they become part of our family."
It should also be noted that Arthur Denis happens to be Tumbleweed's Sheriff. Guests are advised to be on their best behaviour for the duration of their stay.
Of course, when the natural beauty of the surroundings is as overwhelming as one encounters at Aylesbury's Trails End Guest Ranch, very little theming is required. From Highway 11, the big sign catches the eye. A quick drive east over a couple of kilometres and you enter the picturesque Arm River Valley. Meet Lyle Benz and his wife Chris. She's originally from the eastern United States; he was born and raised around here. They share a passion for horses and cattle.
The Guest Ranch achieved new heights about four years ago, when Lyle came to realize that his 1,000 acre ranch was attracting all kinds of visitors. "We had a lot of city people who used to come down here. It is such a beautiful place in the summertime. They asked us if they could come down for the weekend, and being that I was here every day, I didn't recognize the significance of this until after a few occasions. I had to ask people what they saw here that I didn't? The serenity of the valley is basically the first thing they came up with; the peacefulness; just the aura of the valley itself, the ruggedness of it."
In 2001, they opened the guest ranch with three comfortable cabins made out of cleverly refurbished wooden grain bins. The humble original farmhouse is also available for rent. They have a hot tub; they built a kitchen/office building down by the creek as well as a stable and a sheltered riding arena.
What experiences do they offer? "The whole cowboy experience," according to Lyle, "to go out and ride with us and work with us on everyday activities; checking fences, checking cattle, helping us treat a sick one. People are invited to participate in our round-ups and general herd management procedures. We also offer hourly trail rides. All the land down here in the valley is native grass."
The ruins of a turn-of-the-century sod house are still visible on the hillside across Arm River. The stove sits in the middle of it. Apparently, the homesteader's wife loved this place so much she had herself buried on a point on the hillside, overlooking the valley.
Interpreting the local landscape to visitors is what Chris and Lyle love most, next to sharing their love of horses. "We are set up for people who bring their own horses, as well," says Chris. "We have a complete horse obstacle course. We have bridges; we have a teeter-totter that you ride your horse across. We teach guests how to swim with their horse. We have corrals; outdoor rings; we have a race track; we have full service RV sites if they want to come in and bring their campers with them."
Lyle Benz has noticed a change in the profile of visitors in recent years.
"One of the drawback people in Saskatchewan have about vacationing with their horses is everybody grew up on a farm and in a lot of cases, the last thing they want to do is go on a farm and see a horse. The first generations away from the farm are the ones coming back now. They are really interested in Grandpa and Grandma's roots. We have had a lot of guests from Alberta coming back. Mum and dad moved to Alberta in the '60s, '70s -- they just want to see where Grandma and Grandpa homesteaded."
The Centennial year looks like it will be a good one for agritourism in Saskatchewan.
For more information, contact:
Therese and Arthur Denis
(306) 258-4635
http://www.champetrecounty.com/
Theresa Reesor
(306) 662-3498
http://www.reesorranch.com
Trails End Guest Ranch
http://www.guest-ranch.ca
1-866-885-0775
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