Red Barn Farms

Mr. Tom Holton, steward of Greencastle's Red Barn Farms, says that farming is his calling.

"I believe that I was created to do this," he said.

Tucked away on South County Road 25 West, the family-run farm promises on its website that it provides healthy food that is priced correctly, so that people purchasing its products are able to "eat well" and "live well." But beyond the welcoming yellow sign, the cornfields and pumpkins, there is much more to the property than meets the eye.

"Ultimately, I know that I am providing healthy food for families in this community," Holton said.

Holton says Red Barn Farms adheres to three important commitments that distinguish them from other farms in the area. First and foremost, they are committed to raising their animals without the use of antibiotics, growth hormones or other chemical enhancements. Additionally, the farm encourages their customers to visit the farm to watch how their food is raised. All of their products go directly to consumers, so they are willing to guarantee excellent quality of the food. But Red Barn Farms doesn't only produce food.

"We are also an agri-tourism destination that includes a pumpkin patch, corn maze, bonfires and hayrides," Holton said. "Most farms don't desire to have visitors. Most agri-tourism locations are no longer farms."

Last weekend, Holton and his family wrapped up the final stretch of their first fall festival, a seven-week long affair that included a pumpkin slingshot game, thirty-minute hayrides around the farm, opportunities to learn about Red Barn Farms food and a variety of other activities available to both families and students. Among the multicolored trees and an unusual historic graveyard built in the 1800s viewable by guests on the half-hour hayride, Holton pieced together a special event for all involved.

"We have been blown away by the response and the success," he said.

Holton hopes that Red Barn Farms will become a place that newcomers to Greencastle visit because of its positive reputation in the community. He and his family have also started to meet and interact with DePauw students through both the Greencastle Farmer's Market and the Fall Festival alike. They hope to continue to be more involved with students in the future.

"[Red Barn Farms] was a really cute, welcoming place that captured the essence of fall really well," said junior Leah Weprich of the Fall Festival.

Junior Austin Livesay agreed.

"It's very family friendly," Livesay said. "[But] kids our age would also have fun going there at night."

He said he enjoyed both the day with friends and the hidden beauty of Greencastle at Red Barn Farms. Livesay's favorite portion of the farm was the pumpkin slingshot game, but he also appreciated the corn maze and the hayride.

"It brought me back to my childhood," he said.

Both students are certain that other Greencastle residents and DePauw students will find visiting Red Barn Farms equally enjoyable.

"I think they would have the same experience as us," Weprich explains.

Although Red Barn Farms has accomplished several of its goals thus far, Holton points out that they have much more planned for the future. He will be reviewing the farm's direction this upcoming winter and implementing new projects next year.

"We hope to improve in every aspect, from the gardens, to the meat production, to the pumpkin patch and Fall Festival," Holton said. "We have plans to improve and increase production [and] do some things around the farm just for aesthetic purposes."

Since this year was the family's first time hosting the Fall Festival, Holton says they were unprepared for the stress of the seven-week schedule. They were aware the weekends would probably be hectic, but once they began to arrange field trips during the week, they realized the magnitude of what they were attempting to accomplish. Fortunately, the Holton family wasn't alone in this endeavor.

"We were blessed with a couple other families that were willing to help with all the work," Holton said.

The most difficult thing about being the steward of a family-run farm for Holton is taking any time off from his work. However, this job also carries with it an enormous benefit.

"I get to work every day with the people I love most."