Post by the Scribe on Jul 30, 2021 13:46:53 GMT
A new direction: Agua Linda Farm ending festival, farming
www.gvnews.com/news/local/a-new-direction-agua-linda-farm-ending-festival-farming/article_197a4774-5426-11e4-ad14-4fd60dc55150.html
By Kelly Pardi Special to the Green Valley News Oct 15, 2014
A 15-year tradition ends this month as Agua Linda Farm brings down the curtain on its final fall festival.
Owners Stewart and Laurel Loew also say they will cease organic farming operations at their 63-acre Amado farm.
The festival, which is currently running weekends through Oct. 26, launched in 1999, and grew into an annual tradition for scores of families in Southern Arizona.
Stewart said the festival was a natural extension of their yearly pumpkin harvest. He had taken note of the success enjoyed by grower Mark Larkin of Tubac Farms, who planted pumpkins on 40 acres each year and opened the fields to “pick it yourself” traffic. So Loew decided to give it a go.
A new venture
But the Loews still have big plans for the farm.
Stewart and Laurel say a side business of renting the property adjacent to the elegant family farmhouse for weddings is burgeoning.
The bucolic grounds nestled under old-growth mesquite, cottonwood and mulberry trees, a view of the mountains, and with lush grass underfoot, are in high demand by couples planning that perfect wedding.
The first wedding was held a decade ago. The bride was Nina Ronstadt, granddaughter of rancher Carlos Ronstadt (singer Linda Ronstadt’s uncle), who sold Agua Linda Farm to Arthur Loew Jr. in the 1950s. The farm still held a special place in the Ronstadt family’s hearts.
Beginning in 2004, Stewart and Laurel hosted about five weddings each year. Since 2009, it has grown to as many as 30, and that keeps them busy.
Reflecting on the end of the festivals and moving on from farming, Stewart, 45, was sentimental and practical.
“It has been a great experience and we created a lot of nice memories for people,” he said. “I’ll miss it but it was hard work. I've got to work smarter now.”
www.gvnews.com/news/local/a-new-direction-agua-linda-farm-ending-festival-farming/article_197a4774-5426-11e4-ad14-4fd60dc55150.html
By Kelly Pardi Special to the Green Valley News Oct 15, 2014
A 15-year tradition ends this month as Agua Linda Farm brings down the curtain on its final fall festival.
Owners Stewart and Laurel Loew also say they will cease organic farming operations at their 63-acre Amado farm.
The festival, which is currently running weekends through Oct. 26, launched in 1999, and grew into an annual tradition for scores of families in Southern Arizona.
Stewart said the festival was a natural extension of their yearly pumpkin harvest. He had taken note of the success enjoyed by grower Mark Larkin of Tubac Farms, who planted pumpkins on 40 acres each year and opened the fields to “pick it yourself” traffic. So Loew decided to give it a go.
A new venture
But the Loews still have big plans for the farm.
Stewart and Laurel say a side business of renting the property adjacent to the elegant family farmhouse for weddings is burgeoning.
The bucolic grounds nestled under old-growth mesquite, cottonwood and mulberry trees, a view of the mountains, and with lush grass underfoot, are in high demand by couples planning that perfect wedding.
The first wedding was held a decade ago. The bride was Nina Ronstadt, granddaughter of rancher Carlos Ronstadt (singer Linda Ronstadt’s uncle), who sold Agua Linda Farm to Arthur Loew Jr. in the 1950s. The farm still held a special place in the Ronstadt family’s hearts.
Beginning in 2004, Stewart and Laurel hosted about five weddings each year. Since 2009, it has grown to as many as 30, and that keeps them busy.
Reflecting on the end of the festivals and moving on from farming, Stewart, 45, was sentimental and practical.
“It has been a great experience and we created a lot of nice memories for people,” he said. “I’ll miss it but it was hard work. I've got to work smarter now.”