From providing educational experiences to sharing laughter and memories, pumpkin patches and Christmas tree farms are packed with opportunities. For Lebanon FFA member Brooks Johnson, these outdoor adventures allow him to explore his passion for nature and community.
From the Pumpkin Patch to the Lakeside
As a dedicated Indiana FFA member and a key player on the Lebanon High School football and baseball teams, Johnson is no stranger to hard work and teamwork. When he’s not busy with his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) at Dull’s Tree Farm or hitting home runs, you can find him casting a line at the lake and making memories with friends and family.
“After visiting this farm many times as a child and joining FFA, I decided I would like to work here for my first job,” he says.
A Maze of Possibilities
Johnson’s passion for the outdoors naturally led him to work at the tree farm in Boone County, Ind. This agritourism business offers a pumpkin patch with a corn maze, a Christmas tree farm and educational opportunities for schools and other organizations.
Season of Joy and Making Memories
For the past two years, Johnson has been employed as an “agri-tainer.”
“In this role, my duties include supervising activities and assisting guests with cutting, hauling and loading pumpkins and Christmas trees,” he says. “I also interact with customers of all ages on the farm and help with anything they might need. It is my job to ensure everyone has a great day and to upholds the motto, ‘Creating memorable experiences through excellent customer service.’”
Growing Together
This past summer, Johnson took on a new challenge.
He gained hands-on experience by planting Christmas trees and pumpkin seeds as well as setting up irrigation systems to keep the pumpkins watered. This work highlights the effort that goes into running an agritourism operation, even during the off-season.
Taking Root in Agricultural Endeavors
Johnson’s involvement with the National FFA Organization and his work experience at Dull’s Tree Farm have sparked an interest in agriculture. In addition to helping customers, he can be outdoors and get his hands dirty while being involved in projects from start to finish and assisting customers.
Johnson stands with the Christmas trees growing at Dull’s Tree Farm.
Johnson hopes to continue “branching out” of his comfort zone by learning more about the extensive operations within the agritourism industry and furthering his education and experience in this field.
