Post on 26-Dec-2015
Agritourism and Alternative Ag -Our Diversity
is Delicious
7th Annual National Value-Added Ag Conference
June 16-17, 2005Indianapolis, IN
byJames A. Maetzold
Natural Resources Conservation ServiceUnited States Department of Agriculture
202-720-0132jim.maetzold@usda.gov
Take Home Points
Definitions Tourism Trends Challenges Economic Impacts Leader Roles –
agritourism marriages Opportunities Agritourism Niches NRCS Resource Material
As Times Change need to use resources differently!!
And Agritourism Visitors are looking for
many alternatives. You need to give them choices to keep them
coming!!
AGRITOURISM
• Inviting the public onto your farm or ranch
• A set of activities that occur when people link travel with the products, services and experiences of agriculture
• Agritourism is selling the Agricultural Experience
AGRITOURISM(Continued)
• Products/Services• Agrieducation• Agritainment• Nature Tourism
– Consumptive– Non-consumptive
SOME TRENDS
Tourism Trends—National Survey on
Recreation and the Environment, and
Tourism Industry Association of
America
AGRITOURISM 2000-01(NSRE Survey)
• 63 million people visited farms(over 16 years)(20 million school children not counted)
• Spend an average of $45.00/person• Travel an average of 80 miles• Enjoy rural scenery 86 %• Learn Food Source 71 %• Watch/Participate 64 %• Pet a Farm Animal-low 11 %• Hay Ride/Corn Maze -low 4 %
OTHER RURAL SURVEYS(TIA and NASS Surveys)
• Dining 70 %• Shopping 58 %• Go to Beach/River/Lake 44 %• Visit Historical Sites 41%
• Culture --93 million travelers or 64 percent of the population (TIA)
Outdoor Recreation(NSRE Survey 2000-01)
1982-2000 Number
% Increase 2000• Bird watching 236 71m• Hiking 196 73m• Backpacking 166 23m• Snow-mobiling 108 67m• Walking 91 179m
Outdoor Recreation(NSRE Survey 2000-01)
1982-2000 Number
% Increase 2000• Off-road driving 89 28m• Primitive camping 82 32m• Developed camping 76 53m• Downhill skiing 67 18m• Swimming/river
lake/ocean 64 78m
•
Outdoor Recreation(NSRE Survey 2000-01)
1982-2000 Number % Increase 2000• Motor boating 53 51• Cross-country skiing 51 8• Bicycling 49 84• Sightseeing 40 114• Picnicking 38 117• Horseback riding 36 22• Fishing 21 73• Hunting 13 24• Outdoor team sports 9 17• Sailing -.9 11
Tourist Characteristics
• Adventure and experiences• Shorter vacations• Closer to home• More family trips• Packages• Heritage and culture• Returning to “roots” • Food trends—local, fresh, diet change• Dining and Shopping
What Does This Data Tell Us!!
Enjoy the landscape—farm, rural, natureEnjoy water based activityLearn/Authentic/History/CultureExperience—sell the agricultural
experienceHiking/WalkingShopping/DiningFamily activity
Agritourism Challenges
• Insurance – State activities
• State laws passed
– Industry sources
• Marketing– Partnerships
• Other entrepreneurs• Tourism organizations
– Lack of knowledge/experience– Join new organizations
• Local/State/National Organization
Local Leaders Roles
• Forming partnerships w/tourism & business• Workshops• Field days• Facilitate marketing groups/events• Identify public needs/interests• Consumer/institutions/public ag connection
– Markets– Education of public
• Innovative leaders
Economic Impact
• $936 reduction in taxes (each taxpayer) due to tourism (TIA-2002)• Hawaii—Agritourism Income- $32 million
in 2003• Vermont– Agritourism Income- $20 million
in 2002• New York—Agritourism Income- $211
million in 1999• Agritourism Entrepreneurs
– Employment examples
Agritourism Potential
• Fastest tourism growth area• Two-thirds of activity in fall• Room for expansion rest of year• Education—need and role• Anything goes—plastic to natural• Listen to your customers• Remove blinders, think broadly, be
different
Agritourism Enterprise Diversification
Agritourism Enterprises
PettingFarm/Feeding
Education Heritage
Fairs FestivalsWeddings
MazesCorn/Bale Trees
Haunted House/ Woods
PYOPumpkins
B&BDining
CattleDrives
Val
ue-A
dded
Pro
duct
s/S
ervi
ces
Unguided
ToursSchool/Seniors
PartiesPony/Hayrides/Food
Pig Races
Chuck Wagon Camping
Classes/Lessons
Road Signs
Media
Schools/OrganizationsFestivals
Directories/Internet
Referrals
CVB Member
Marketing
Guided
Crafts/Food/Fudge/Bakery
IncomeProducing
Opportunities
Fairs FestivalsEvents
HorsesPetting Farm
GoatsWildlife
Fee Hunting &Fishing
DiningCSA
Institutions
EducationSchoolsToursEvents
Farm MarketBakery
Ice CreamFudge
Farm StaysB&B
Bed and BaleProduct
ProcessingCow/GoatPreserves
IncomeProducing
Opportunities
Nature Hike/Bike
PlantsBirdingAnimals
MiniatureGolf
Theme ParkHeritage
MachineryPeople
Community
Arts &Crafts
Corn MazeHaunted
Woods/HouseBale Mtns
SpecialtyProductsOrganicNatural
Pick YourOwn
Produce/FruitsFlowers
Rent CowTree
FlowersGarden
NRCS RESOURCE MATERIAL
• Resource Manual• Taking the First Step-Resource Evaluation Guide• Four Information Sheets• Three Technical Notes• Directory of People• Success Stories• CD contains above plus funding
sources/resources/business planning guide• Brochure• www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/RESS/ altenterprise
1. Assess Your Resources2. Get Informed3. Find Out What Other Entrepreneurs Are Doing4. Consult Potential Customers5. Research The Market For Your Products6. Network7. Get Help 8. Develop A Business and Marketing Plan9. Create a Financial Plan10.Start Small, Learn From Your Experience, and Expand the Business