Falcon Ridge Farm prepares for busy fall season

TOONE, Tenn.–Preparations have kicked into overdrive for the farm’s busiest season of the year.

“It’s what we look forward to all year long,” Bart Gilmer said. Gilmer is the youngest of three children to be helping on his families farm.

Since 2009 Falcon Ridge Farm has held an annual fall festival. Gilmer says the six week celebration is full of family fun.

Including a six acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, tractor rides, and petting zoo.

For the second year in a row Gilmer said they plan to host pig races on weekends. “One thing we figured out about the pigs is their number one motivation is oreo cookies.” Gilmer said about the training the pigs are doing in preparation for the main event.

With more than 10,000 visitors expected to visit the farm, Gilmer says they’re holding a job fair this Thursday to hire 15-20 seasonal employees.

“Definitely have to have an outgoing personality. You’re going to be working with the public pretty much no matter what you do. So we like smiling faces and friendly personalities,” he said.

Gilmer says the new family tradition of sharing their more than 200 acre farm with the community makes long days and hard work worth the effort. “To see kids come out here that have never seen a horse up close or pet a sheep or seen a pig race…the looks on their faces are priceless,” he said.

The farm will be open seven days a week beginning September 24.

The job fair for seasonal hires is Thursday September 8, 2016 at the Falcon Ridge Farm at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a pen and must be 16 years of age or older.