operate a successful agritourism venture. “My husband kept reading about how family farms were being sold and how the next generation wasn’t interested in farming,” Rita said. “He said we needed to educate young people about where their food comes from. We looked around to see what other farms were doing, and we visited agritourism operations in other states. We decided to open a 10-acre corn maze in the fall of 2002.
As the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation’s first-ever Farm Woman of the Year, Rita Seward well understands the work that goes into building a successful farming operation. She wears many hats on Seward Farms in Jackson County, from managing the office (her primary job) to helping with the cattle, the crop harvesting efforts and the agritourism business on an as-needed basis. In addition, she serves on the Jackson County Farm Bureau cotton and peanut advisory committees. “Wherever I need to be, I am there,” she said with a smile. “That’s the way it works when you farm. We raised our children and grandchildren on this farm, and now, it takes everybody to make it happen. We have three generations working here.”
FARM WOMAN OF THE YEAR
It all began when Rita’s father-in-law and his family moved to the area in 1938 and began farming cotton. Today, Seward Farms grows cotton, peanuts, corn, oats, wheat and ryegrass and raises stocker cattle and quarter horses on acreage in four counties. The Sewards also
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The corn maze was a hit, and the agritourism operation began to grow. Today, it includes corn cannons, hayrides, pony rides, pig races, a PVC slide, a farm animal alley, a goat walk, a jumping pillow, a café, a snack/souvenir shop and more. Around Halloween, you will find a Field of Fright and a Haunted Hayride. Some 20,000 people visit the farm when it is open in the fall months. They come from Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and south Mississippi as well as towns and cities as far north as Jackson. “Families like to spend the day here,” Rita said. “It’s a nice, safe place for their children to play, and they enjoy a day on a working farm out in the country. We do have added security when we offer our haunted features. We are pretty strict about what goes on here.” The agritourism facet of the farm is now managed by the Sewards’ daughter, Susie, and their daughter-in-law, Susan. With all that
“Our farm is ever-growing and ever-changing,” Rita said. “With our agritourism business, we dream of building a big facility for parties and other events. My husband has always wanted a big two-story barn like the ones you see in the North. We think that would be just gorgeous.” In conclusion, Rita says she is honored to be named Farm Woman of the Year. She and her family enjoy a long history with Farm Bureau, and she appreciates all that it does for Mississippi farmers. “Farm Bureau has been a part of our lives for as far back as I can remember,” she said. “My father-in-law helped organize the Jackson County Farm Bureau and served as one of its first presidents. My husband, Bud, was active in the Young Farmers & Ranchers Program, and our son, Steve, was named a regional Young Farmer of the Year. “We are so thankful to be a part of this organization.” For more information about the Seward Farms agritourism operation, visit www.sewardfarms. com, email info@sewardfarms.com or call (228) 641-3936. The Farm Woman of the Year Award was established in 2013 to recognize, encourage and reward the achievements of women farmers. The recipient personifies the highest level of professional excellence in agriculture.
From left, are Kase Kelley, Bill Kelley, Koda Kelley, Susie Seward Kelley, Kole Kelley, Bud Seward, Rita Seward, Steve Seward, Susan Seward, Megan Seward and Andrew Seward.
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“Clara Bilbo brought her Ag in the Classroom (AITC) materials, and we set up a room, which we still have today, that is devoted entirely to the AITC program,” Rita said. “We take our visitors in there and let them look through the fact sheets, table-toppers and brochures.”
they have accomplished, the Seward family continues to dream big.
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