Small family dairy farms are on the decline.

For many of them, production costs outpaced income and they're now turning to more profitable ventures.

Our Laura Rogers takes us to one of those family farms in Hardin County.

Our goats are probably our most popular farm animals that we have.

They're super funny and very hard to keep in the pen.

We also have sheep.

And cows and Felix.

But these livestock aren't for producing commodities like milk or wool.

Whether they are the welcoming committee for farm guests.

As things have evolved and changed here on the farm, we have also evolved and changed as well.

That evolution includes closing dairy operations in 2018.

After more than 50 years of milking due to what Celia Thomas describes as instability in the dairy market.

Agritourism is is growing, I think, as a whole.

We had started some agritourism stuff, actually, before we quit milking.

Being able to spend more time and focus more on that was kind of where we made that transition.

Thomas Dairy Farm and Market has expanded its agritourism efforts, offering summer and fall festivals and now, in its third year, a Christmas experience.

Basically for us, it's bringing the community out to the farm.

So, offering events, festivals, seasons, activities.

Families can get a fresh cut Christmas tree grown on a family farm in Michigan.

We actually have some future plans to hopefully plant some trees for you.

Cut opportunity.

For now, they focus on row crops like corn and soybeans and produce.

We grow 70 different varieties of pumpkins.

The Thomas family is one of the thousands of small family dairies closing or shifting operations due to economic challenges.

You'll hear a lot of stories of old dairy farms that have kind of transitioned to agritourism.

The Thomases own 250 acres in Cecilia, near Elizabethtown city limits.

It is very important for us to keep our farm where it is.

We're so close to town with development kind of happening around us and.

Growth, she says.

Growth is good, but keeping this acreage in farmland gives those who may not otherwise experience farm life an opportunity to do so.

It is super special.

Just being able to share what we love our home, our livelihood.

Thomas estimates about 12,000 people visit their farm every year.

They also have a farm store with homemade jam, candy and salsa.

It's definitely a way for people to support.

Local and to support the small family farm.

According to Kentucky Farm Bureau, in the last 20 years, Kentucky has lost 1.4 million acres of farmland and 17,000 farms.

So it's definitely an opportunity for people to stay on the farm, keep the farms in their family.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm Laura Rogers.

Thank you Laura.

This evening and again on Saturday, Thomas Dairy Farm and Market hosted its holiday light nights.

And they also offer some tips for tending to those life Christmas trees you might have at home.

Water them often and close nearby vents.