Continuing a Legacy: Oliver’s Place Brings Six Generations of Farming into the Future
Supporting Utah Agritourism and Dairy Sales through Technical Assistance and Networking
For Chalise and Kyle Smith, Oliver’s Place is more than just a business—it’s a continuation of six generations of hard work, tradition, and heart. Nestled in the heart of Utah County, their family farm has weathered the changes of time and tides of development, transforming over the decades from a traditional dairy farm into a diversified operation offering everything from agritourism to raw milk and a wedding venue.
Smith Family Dairy Farm, 1950-1986
The Smiths’ journey into agritourism began in 2001 with the launch of Hee Haws—an interactive destination with corn mazes, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, and a petting zoo. Their goal was simple but powerful: to offer families a wholesome place to connect with agriculture. “There’s nothing about the basics of life that brings peace to your soul like getting your hands dirty,” says Chalise. “We wanted people to have a space to experience that.”
But the challenges came quickly. In 2009, a major road split their farmland in half, and the continued encroachment of development put pressure on the operation. In 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions halted spring activities, the family adapted again—selling beef from their cows directly to customers. That pivot reinforced their passion for diversified farm offerings and led to the creation of Oliver’s Place, a venue and product hub rooted in local agriculture. Oliver’s Place was officially established in 2022 and opened its doors to the public in 2024 as both a venue and local food hub.
Building a Place of Goodness
Oliver’s Place is now a thriving enterprise featuring event space rentals, raw milk sales, locally raised meat, and continued farm operations in Payson and Fairview which helps support production of food for the market and feed for the livestock. But bringing that vision to life wasn’t easy. Kyle and Chalise navigated a maze of local zoning issues, egress requirements, and building regulations to create a welcoming, safe, and functional space. With a clear business plan and a strong sense of mission, she pushed forward.
“We’re not just creating a business—we’re keeping a place of goodness,” she says. “People need space to breathe, a place to connect with open land and learn where their food comes from.”
Partnering with the Southwest Regional Food Business Center
Technical assistance through the Southwest Regional Food Business Center (SWRFBC) partners- the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) and the Food and Farm Business Program at Utah State University (FoodBiz), have played a crucial role in supporting that mission.
Kyle and Chalise’s team attended a key event supported by the SWRFBC: a Local Ag Listening Session focused on regulatory navigation. The gathering allowed Chalise to engage directly with regulators and networked with other food entrepreneurs facing similar challenges.
Oliver’s Place has also connected to the SWRFBC FoodBiz Technical Assistance team at USU. Currently, Utah’s Technical Assistance team is helping Oliver’s Place apply for the Utah County Agriculture & Agritourism Grant. If awarded, this funding would support expanded agritourism infrastructure and future business expansion—potentially providing new jobs and bringing fresh farm food to the community. It would also enhance their ability to host educational and recreational events on the farm, drawing more families and visitors to experience agriculture firsthand.
By offering targeted grant support and one-on-one guidance, the Center is helping Oliver’s Place preserve its agricultural heritage while scaling to meet modern market demands and deepen its impact on Utah’s local food system.
Looking Ahead
Looking to the future, Chalise and Kyle are focused on financial sustainability, continued growth, and preparing the next generation. Their son, Jaxon, has shown a deep interest in farming and is eager to carry the family legacy forward.
Oliver’s Place is also seeking more vendor partnerships and funding opportunities to build a greenhouse and provide additional produce options for the local community. They hope to reduce dependency on outside suppliers and bring even more local products to their customers.
Strengthening Utah’s Local Food System
The story of Oliver’s Place is one of resilience, adaptation, and commitment to community. With the help of technical assistance, networking, and strategic grants, the Smiths are not only preserving their land—they’re helping redefine what small farms can achieve.