About Agritourism

What is Agritourism?

In simple terms, agritourism is the crossroads of tourism and agriculture: when the public visits farms, ranches or wineries to buy products, enjoy entertainment, participate in activities, eat a meal or spend the night.

What fun things can I do on a farm or ranch?

Visiting a farm, ranch or winery offers wonderful, unique experiences. Picking your own peaches or apples in a beautiful orchard, roping a calf or stomping grapes are just a few of the fun and fabulous activities waiting for you.
Click here for a complete list of fun activities on the farm, ranch or winery.

Why is Agritourism growing so fast?

People want an experience that's completely different from their daily lives. They want an escape from the stress of traffic jams, cell phones, office cubicles and carpooling! Parents want their children to know how food is grown or that milk actually comes from a cow (not the supermarket shelf!) The idea of the family taking a pleasant drive to the country to spend the day together is extremely appealing, especially now.

What is the emotional appeal of Agritourism?

Most of us have a farm somewhere on our family tree. If we weren't raised on a farm, maybe our parents or grandparents were. Many people have fond memories of visiting the farms of their grandparents, aunts and uncles or other relatives. Agritourism rekindles the positive emotions from these family visits.

What do children and adults learn from Agritourism?

Agritourism plants a seed, especially in children, who become educated about agriculture and its importance to feeding our nation. When people pick an apple from a fruit orchard, or a pumpkin from a patch, or they see for themselves how produce is grown and livestock is raised, they learn the basics of farming and also form an important connection to the land.

Why do farmers participate in Agritourism?

Today, most small farms face such serious financial challenges that they are often forced to sell the farm to land developers and leave farming forever. The prices paid for commodities and livestock often do not even cover the costs of growing those crops or raising the animals. Foreign competition critically undercuts prices on farm goods. So sadly, only large, corporate farms can compete profitably.

But, family farmers realized that if they diversified their operations - adding fruit stands, country stores, special activities, etc. - they could continue farming and make a profit. Agritourism is actually savings thousands of small farms from extinction.