Farm406

farm406 32 Evening shot of shelter house bar at the Agawam Oasis. Over the years the family has improved the area by changing the contour of the land around the pond, planting grass (three times) that produced a well-manicured parklike atmosphere, and completing the shelter house that includes bar, tables and chairs. Wiring, providing electricity for the oasis, was laboriously buried for a half mile from the nearest power line. Coolers have been added. e grass now has to be watered and mowed frequently during the summer; the flowers, weeded; the shelter house, cleaned regularly; the facility, opened and closed each season; and the pond, stocked with fish for anglers' pleasure. "Every year we think of something we would like to add to make Agawam Oasis nicer," said Lightner. As of this date the Lightners have rented the Agawam Oasis only three times: once to Cargill for a retreat, once for a neighbor's wedding, and this summer to the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce as part of a farm tour. ey also held their own son's wedding there recently. If the Lightners wanted to really work at it, this eye-catching retreat could possibly be value added to their farming business, but, so far, the Agawam Oasis has not shown that it would be a money maker. In fact, it has been costly. "As adults, our kids seem to be leaving the farm. We thought perhaps if we kept them involved in the Oasis as they grew up and continued to improve it that one—or more—of our kids would become interested in making it a real business venture and stay in the area," said Lightner. Photo courtesy of Rachel Lightner Boat in the pond at the Agawam Oasis. Photo courtesy of Rachel Lightner

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