A pizza farm or pizza garden is "a circular region of land partitioned into pie-shaped wedges, each dedicated to producing an ingredient necessary or used for making pizza." This growing cottage industry is an excellent tourist and specialty niche for those gardeners among you who may be looking for a unique way to add to your income.
The pizza farm may contain:
- Wheat
- Tomatoes
- Italian Herbs
- Onions
- Garlic
- Olives
- Cattle (cheese, beef)
- Pigs (pepperoni)
- Mushrooms
- Chili Peppers
- Chicken (for the eggs)
Darren Schmall in Madera California is credited with the original idea for a pizza farm. Today, there are hundreds such farms across the United States. A living demonstration farm, Schmall’s original Pizza Farm (http://www.thepizzafarm.com/) conducts guided tours for schools and tourists throughout the year, and offers instruction in agricultural techniques.
The Cobb Ranch Pizza Farm ( http://www.cobbranch.com/Pizza%20Farm/pizzafarmmain.php) is another fine example of a pizza farm. Situated in the San Joaquin Valley, The Historic Cobb Ranch provides tours for schools and tourists, free lesson plans, and hayrides. They also have a pumpkin patch, Christmas festival, and Christmas trees. For more information on tours and programs, call (559)439-0606.
The R Pizza Farm in St. Louis, Illinois expanded quickly. Quite the tourist attraction, the R Pizza Farm specializes as an “organic pizza demonstration farm.” They include goats to represent milk, as well as pigs and cattle. In 2003, the farm reportedly had 300 visitors. In 2004, they had 1,500 tourists. By 2005, tours had more than tripled. R Pizza Farms offer guided tours and educational instruction related to organic farming.
For more information, contact:
Walt Gregory, Owner
25873 State Hwy 3
Dow, IL 62022
Phone: 618-466-5950
Pizza farms are examples of inventive land use –as are cornfield mazes—being employed by farmers and landowners to supplement their incomes. In the agricultural world, a pizza farm would be classified under “agricultural tourism businesses.” That term is often shortened to agri-tourism.
On a smaller scale, a pizza garden is a great idea for a child’s garden. Children love the idea of growing plants to make pizza with. Even more, they'll love harvesting the fruits of their labor and using them to cook the homemade pizzas.
Try starting your own pizza farm today. Doesn’t even the name sound delicious? It’s a great business opportunity too.
Revenue streams from pizza farms include:
- Market produce sales
- Restaurant and specialty sales
- Pizza Farm Tours (for schools and the public)
- Educational programs/workshops
- Dairy sales
- Chickens/Eggs
- Livestock
- On-site pizzeria to sell homegrown pizza lunches to tourists
Other revenue sources easily added to the pizza farm:
- Pumpkin patch
- Christmas trees
- Festivals
- Hayrides
- Italian-themed events
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