A Bit About Us
Most farms practicing traditional, commodity-based farming activities/methods operate on a limited budget and receive small margins for their yields. They may also experience unexpected catastrophic events like hurricanes, tornados, a death/illness or a pandemic. There are limited opportunities for these farms to explore other options to create revenue in order to survive. The challenge? They are either too busy just surviving day-to-day with their current/primary operation or have no additional working capital to help fund other activities and/or events at their farms in order to create alternative, sustainable revenue sources.
This is why Celebrate H.A.R.V.E.S.T. exists. We are committed to helping farms weather any storms that come their way and provide a vehicle by which they can explore other options through our funding opportunities and experience in the world of EXPERIENTIAL farming, or agritainment.
Our structure:
We are a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation with three founding members who all serve as board member officers within the NPO. We’ve attached our corporate by-laws here if you would like to understand more about our structure.
Meet The Team
STEVE TEMPLEMAN
FOUNDER / PRESIDENT
I’ve been involved in agritainment for 25+ years now as one of the original founders – along with my wife, Joanne – of Maris Farms in Buckley. I believe I have the expertise, leadership, training and motivation necessary to help make Celebrate H.A.R.V.E.S.T. a successful company. I have developed a broad background at Maris Farms (and in the journalism and sales professions) that includes several writing roles, sales, marketing, advertising, promotions, sponsorships and event coordination – both traditional events/activities and agritourism events/activities. I am very comfortable working with (and in) different cultures. Nothing is more fulfilling than being part a team that values its people and that shares similar interests and passion for achievement – I believe we’ve assembled that kind of team at Celebrate H.A.R.V.E.S.T.!
LISA MEEKS
FOUNDER / VP
I have been involved with agritourism since 2003, wearing many different hats – from selling churros to helping with field trips to managing the Maris Farms Haunted Woods attraction to creating and managing the gift shop at Maris Farms. One of my favorite things has been doing the bee talk for field trips educating children about the bees so they understand the importance the bees play in our lives. I’m so excited to be a part of Celebrate H.A.R.V.E.S.T., looking forward to helping guide and support other farms toward the transformation toward experiential farming.
LARRY CASSITY
FOUNDER / SECRETARY / TREASURER
Larry Cassity has dedicated over 7 years to Agritainment and cultivating positive family experiences for his local community and surrounding areas. “I am excited about the opportunities that Celebrate H.A.R.V.E.S.T. will open up. We are taking traditional farming to the next level and educating today’s youth on the importance of agriculture.”