Farms: Cowboy Show Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yiF8tZtiOo&fmt=18 Green Meadows Native Lands Cultural Events Cowboy Willie Whip November 4, 2008 (cont from "Cowboy Show Part 1" video) In the spring of 1984, Bob and Coni found a perfect first spot in Wheaton, Illinois. It was only 100 miles or so from the Waterford farm. This allowed the 2 farms to share supplies, equipment and livestock. This not only kept the costs down but allowed Bob and Coni to spend more time at home with their family. They went a step further and opened in the fall giving all their customers a free pumpkin. Again, Bob and Coni were on their way. In 1985, they opened seasonal (spring and fall) petting farms in Roseland, New Jersey and Irving, California. In 1986, they opened a petting farm in Floral Park, New York. In fall 1991, they opened another petting farm in Jessup, Maryland that services the Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC area³. As you might suspect, Bob and Coni were getting older and they found the Wisconsin weather a little cold so they headed south to Florida. Retire, however, is not in their vocabulary. In November, 1988, they opened a second, full time petting farm in Kissimmee, Florida. This beautiful farm operates 363 days a year and is where Bob and Coni call home* . Besides attracting school groups, church groups, scouts and families, Green Meadows Farm is gaining popularity with the tourist trade of the area. As of the fall of 2005, Green Meadows Farms are owned and operated by members of the Keyes family in the following cities: Waterford, WI (Cindy Keyes-Siemers); Sherwood, WI (Pat and Bonnie Keyes); Kissimmee, FL (Bob and Coni Keyes); Hazlet, NJ (Tim Keyes); Orange, CT and Floral Park, NY (Dan Keyes); Jessup, MD, Grand Prairie, TX, and Frederick, MD (Ken and Gail Keyes). We are proud to say that over 500,000 visitors pass through the gates of Green Meadows Farm each year. But if you thought family participation stops there youd be wrong! Also contributing are Perry and Barb Keyes who grow over 80 acres of pumpkins that supply many of the farms across the country. Charlie Keyes is an occasional cowboy performer at the multi-cultural events and part-time truck driver for his different brothers events. His wife Mavis and his children help at the Waterford farm. Kitty Keyes-Mack is a manager of events for her brother Dan. Even the baby of the family, Kelly Keyes, developed all the software to bring the business into the 20th century. Quite the family affair! Green Meadows Cultural Events, Inc. was established in 1996 by Ken and Gail Keyes. In 2002, they were fortunate enough to locate a beautiful 125 acre farm in Ijamsville, Maryland (just south of Frederick) that currently operates as home base to their many business ventures.