There’s more and more chatter about Agritourism. What is it? Where did it originate? Is it a buzz word? Bottom line, most people are very removed from where their food is grown.
by Chad Steiner
What is Agritourism? Is it becoming a buzz word? Is it a new word people are discovering…? Why do Agritourism offers have such a draw? How do you know you’re going to get an “authentic” Agritourism experience? Is Agritourism idealistic or something rooted in history? What do the numbers tell us – i.e. very few people are involved in farming today. These and many other questions come to mind as I try to describe what Agritourism is (see our prior blog post of a Syngenta “Thrive” Article featuring our farm). Let’s face it, most of us are disconnected from where and how our food is grown. Agritourism offers ways people can connect with their food’s roots (no pun intended).
The U.S. by the numbers. There are roughly 2,000,000 farms in the United States. The USDA qualifies it as a farm if it generates $1,000 in gross farm income or greater. That’s gross $’s, not net. Therefore, it is more likely there are about 500,000 farms producing most of our food. 500,000 farms with say 2 people average on the farm, that’s 1,000,000 farmers, divided by 370,000,000 people in the U.S.. Or 0.27% of our population working on a farm. In other words – 99.73% of our population works off of the farm. It’s also important to note the many people involved in the food chain and who help these farmers “farm”. Which would make the numbers greater that are involved in the food supply chain. But, and a big but – compare this to peak number of farms in 1935 at almost 6,800,000. What’s the point with all this? It’s simply to emphasize, just based on the numbers – most people are not living or working on a farm. Therefore, our natural desire to understand where our food comes from is heightened by being “further” from the source. Enter Agritourism.
I’ve been told Italy was a pioneer in developing “Agritourismo”. It’s almost like an instant visual of a romantic Italian countryside villa surrounded by vineyard, dinner made with fresh roma tomatoes and pasta… or maybe some fresh basil pesto. All provided by the owner whose house you’re staying in and wines they made for you to enjoy. Wherever Agritourism was popularized, it likely has been around forever. Its deeply engrained in us to connect to our food. Most days we’re eating three meals. Restaurants are dedicated to appealing to our senses via culinary experiences, underscoring how enlivened we are by food. Then as farms throw in animals or maybe pumpkins and there’s something for the whole family to enjoy. It’s easy to see the growing appeal of Agritourism. And, it’s likely how many small farmers will survive.
I’m delighted to be part of our small farm’s mission of Connecting Families to Farming. The chance to answer questions and share our small farm with you is a true joy. Being able to say – you’re drinking a wine that was grown right “there” is such a treat. As much as a place to come relax, we really see our farm as a place to educate and let people ask questions about farming. Thank you for following along.
As you know, we’re super busy this time of year. So I asked A.I. to help me with some examples of Agritourism. I edited them and love the list it generated.
- Farm Stays: You can stay on a working farm and view or even sometimes participate in daily activities, such as feeding animals, milking cows, or harvesting crops. This provides a hands-on experience of farm life.
- Wine, Cider and Brewery Tours: Many wineries, cideries and breweries offer tours of their facilities, along with tastings, and insights into the production process. Some also have restaurants or picnic areas for you to enjoy their products.
- U-Pick Farms: These farms allow you to pick their own fruits, vegetables, or flowers. It’s a fun and interactive way to obtain fresh produce directly from the source.
- Farm-to-Table Dining: Restaurants or dining events held on farms where meals are prepared using ingredients grown on-site or sourced locally. This emphasizes the freshness and quality of farm products.
- Educational Workshops: Farms may offer workshops on various topics, such as gardening, beekeeping, cheese making, or sustainable farming practices. These workshops can be educational and hands-on.
- Animal Encounters: Petting zoos, horseback riding, sheep shearing demonstrations (maybe we’ll open ours up next year), and other activities that allow you to interact with farm animals are popular, especially for families with children.
- Seasonal Festivals: Farms often host festivals celebrating harvests, such as apple picking in the fall, pumpkin patches around Halloween, or strawberry festivals in the spring. These events typically include activities, food, and entertainment.
- Corn Mazes and Hayrides: Seasonal attractions like corn mazes and hayrides are popular agritourism activities, offering fun and adventure for all ages.
- Agricultural Fairs: These fairs showcase local produce, livestock, and crafts. They often include competitions, demonstrations, and educational exhibits about farming and agriculture.
- Flower Farms: Some farms specialize in growing flowers and offer tours, workshops, or opportunities for visitors to pick their own bouquets. These farms are especially popular during blooming seasons.
- Cooking Classes: Farms may offer cooking classes that focus on using fresh, farm-grown ingredients. These classes can teach you how to prepare meals that highlight the flavors of local produce.
- Farm Markets and Stores: On-site markets or stores where you can purchase fresh produce, homemade goods, and artisanal products directly from the farm.
Thanks again for following along. If it didn’t occur before, hopefully this helps clarify where you might have enjoyed an Agritourism experience first-hand. Have a great weekend all!
