Steve and Cindy Frey receive top honors from the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association     

Steve and Cindy Frey, of Weston Red Barn Farm in Weston, Mo., were named Farm Direct Marketers of the Year by the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA). The award was presented to them at NAFDMA’s annual conference, held in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Weston Red Barn Farm is a children’s educational farm, pumpkin patch and orchard located in Weston, which is about 20 minutes north of Kansas City.

NAFDMA members nominate their peers for the annual award. Award finalists then give a 30-minute presentation as part of a special general session during the conference. Those in the audience then cast their ballots. Voters commented that they appreciated the authenticity and real farm feel of Weston Red Barn Farm.

The Freys bought the farm in 1989 and raised their children on the farm. Today, their grandchildren are also enjoying the farm, along with thousands of visitors a year.
The Freys employ 3 fulltime farmers, and in 2007 there were 75 part-time, seasonal farmhands.

“Ninety percent of our farmhands are spouses of military officers stationed at Fort Leavenworth attending the Command and General Staff College,” say the Freys. “We cannot even begin to describe how fantastic these families are. We love them, they are the number one reason Weston Red Barn Farm is successful.”

In 2007, the Freys hosted 18,000 school children who toured the farm. The farm is also the site of weddings and receptions, birthday parties, bonfires and picnics. Visitors enjoy petting the sheep and horses or taking a tractor-drawn wagon ride. In the fall, visitors can find their way through the corn maze. Admission to the maze is always free for military families.

The Freys also offer homegrown produce in The Country Store at Weston Red Barn Farm. The Store is open from mid-June to mid-November from 8 am to 5 pm.

Fresh peaches, tomatoes, sweet corn, apples and pumpkins are available seasonally. Their gourmet food selection includes old-fashioned items such as private label jams, jellies, butters and preserves, as well as jars of pickled vegetables, salsas, sauces, mustards, olives and delicious soups, desserts and dips, plus old-fashioned candies. The Children’s section features John Deere toys, tractors and puzzles, Schleich farm animals and a great selection of books. 

In 2007, the Freys started making “green” improvements to the farm. They installed waterless urinals in the men’s restrooms, and they converted to fluorescent lighting. The Freys have plans to power the barns and barnyard areas with solar and wind generated power.

“This change will add value to the educational programs that are already in place,” they say.

Visit www.westonredbarnfarm.com for more information.

The North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association is the leading farm direct marketing association in the world. It promotes and fosters the growth of farm direct marketing throughout North America. Its members support their family farms by selling millions of dollars worth of farm-grown produce directly to consumers at farm stands, farmers' markets, pick-your-own farms, consumer-supported agriculture, agritourism venues, and other ever-growing innovations in direct producer-to-consumer agricultural marketing methods. NAFDMA’s 2009 convention will be held in Georgia. Find out more about the organization at www.nafdma.com.