Agri-tourism; A Strategy Toward

Sustainable Farm, Business, Family and Community

Development

Virginia Cooperative Extension L. Dawn Barnes

Andy Overbay

Agri-tourism

……offering a product/s AND/OR a service/s for profit, in a rural or farm setting, to tourists in a manner that will give them an “experience” while on vacation.

Where We Started

North Carolina Cooperative Extension

Task Force Asset MappingGrant Application Additional people join efforts

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT

Results of Survey

Mailed 12358 – 48787% included contact information34 currently in Agri-tourism

businesses Businesses’ target clientele390 interested in more information Desired delivery methods

Agri-Tourism SurveyYour completion of this survey will assist us in developing a plan to assist you. Please, circle all answers applicable.

1 - Are you currently involved in or operating an agri-tourism business? Yes No If Yes………How would you categorize your type of business/activity? Fresh products and value-added products: flowers, fruit/veggies, relishes, wine, herbs Overnight stays: bed and breakfast, camp sites, farm vacation, rental cabinSpecial events: music festivals, harvest festivals, hay ridesOn Farm: corn mazes, hayrides, animal activity/related, farm toursOff the Farm: farmer’s markets, state and county fairs, roadside stands, web-site Recreation activities: canoe livery, horseback riding, rock climbing, hiking, birding trailsRecreation – Hunting or related: fee fishing/hunting, archery course, skeet shooting Youth and adult education: about agriculture, how to demonstrations, about nature Other – Please identify ______________________________________________ 2 - Who are the customers/target audiences that you are trying to attract? A. People from local area B. Families C. People from farther away (50 miles or greater) D. RetiresE. People from other states F. Youth G. Seasonal tourists/travelers H. Other ____________________ If No…..Are you interested in adding an agri-tourism emphasis to your business? Yes No

3 - Do you know of someone else who is involved in agri-tourism OR might be interested in learning more about agri-tourism? YesNo

Name ______________________ Address ________________________________________Phone ________________________ E-MAIL Address ______________________________(Please use back of survey if needed to add more names and information)

4 - Would you be interested in educational and marketing resources such as; A. Seminars B. One-on-one assistance C. ‘Farm’ tours D. Mentor program E. Web-based

programs

5- Is there additional information you would like to share about your business? Examples; type of business, business name, festivals involved in, future dreams, marketing strategies.

(OPTIONAL - Please use back of survey)To aid us in contacting you in the future please share your –Name ________________________________________ Phone ____________________Mailing Address ____________________________________________________________Street Address _____________________________________________________________Email _____________________________ Web address __________________________Return using enclosed envelope OR you may enter your responses at http://www.

What has been Accomplished

1. Two educational workshops 2. By-laws 3. Follow-up system for requests4. Speakers during partner’s

conference5. Tour of local establishments6. Newsletter

Home Stays

Lifestyle Farming

Educational,

Pick Your Own,

Outdoor Activities

“Mountain Vistas”The Agritourism

Newsletter Of

Southwestern Virginia

Why Agritourism?

Traditional Ag in SW VirginiaBurley TobaccoConventional Dairy Farming

Beef CattleSmall Ruminants: Goats/Sheep

The State of the Commonwealth’s Agriculture41,096 Farms in VirginiaAverage Size = 92 acres32% (13,147 farms) are less than 49

acresAverage income = $8,870 (Gross Sales)26.7% <$2,50043.2% <$5,00060.7% <$10,000Average Production Expense =

$46,858 Resource: USDA 1997 Census of Agriculture

The State of the Commonwealth’s AgricultureFull-time Farmers 18,410Part-time Farmers 23,215Part-time Operators comprise 56%

of the farming community of Virginia

39.5% of ALL operators (71% of part-timers) work off the farm more than 200 days per year

Resource: USDA 1997 Census of Agriculture

The State of the Commonwealth’s Agriculture

What Does This All Means?

Conventional VA Agriculture isn’t conventional anymore

Conventional/Traditional ways to serve VA’s farm families are not as effective

What’s old is new—the county agent.

Nationally, It’s The Same Story

2002 Census of Agriculture90,000 less farms Only areas of growth

10-49 acres & 2,000+ acresCorporate farms 16,500 decreasePart-time operations outnumber full-

time by 2:1 (1,998,410 vs. 962,403)Average age of farmers 55.3 (+1.3)

Resource: USDA (http://www.nass.usda.gov/census)

Taking Aim at the Situation

Enter Mountain VistasWhy a newsletter?

Our clients were interested in what everyone else was doing, so we provide an overarching view of the latest “experiments” in Southwestern Virginia, the surrounding region and across the nation.

Mountain VistasNew AudiencesMulti-disciplines (Beef, Horses,

Ornamentals, Organics, Ecotainment)Questions from traditional audiences

What Is A Farm? by Tom Covey

“Andy, I am considering running this ‘What is a Farm?’ article in our regular Ag newsletter. I’ve been flooded with questions on that article.” --Tom Covey Montgomery Co. FBM Agent

What’s in the Future??

Coffee Chat Sessions Continued Partnerships Additional Educational

Opportunities ???

State Leadership Contact

D. Brian CalhounAssistant Director, Community Initiatives

Interim Director Family & Community Sciences/Food, Nutrition & Health

101 Hutcheson HallVirginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA   24061 Phone:(540) 231-6371

E-mail: dcalhoun@vt.edu

Publication location: http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/agritour/310-003/310-003.html