Agritourism Workshop November 8

The Madison County Cooperative Extension office is holding a program entitled Agritourism: Another Land-Based Revenue on November 8 from 6-9 pm.

About the Program:
Madison County Cooperative Extension along with The Very Small Business Center will be hosting an Agritourism workshop on November 8th from 6-9 pm. Experts from the NC Department Agriculture, local agritourism businesses, and business specialists will share useful resources as well as address challenges related to permits, regulations, planning, developing and marketing successful agritourism enterprises. To register please call the Madison County Cooperative Extension office at 649-2411 or email jenn_beck@ncsu.edu.

For agritourism resources, visit the WNC Veggies and Small Fruits Agritourism Page

New Resource for Folks Interested in Farmstays

The Minnesota Institute of Sustainable Agriculture has a new Farmstays Manual. Though the manual is intended for Minnesota residents, there are some relevant details to anyone interested in Farmstays.

Here is a description of the manual from the website:

"Farmstays are well-suited to meet the needs of travelers looking for unique and genuine experiences. They offer people a way to reconnect with their agrarian roots—or to form new roots. While research has not been conducted in Minnesota on travelers’ interest in farmstays, the success of existing farmstays, as well as natural food co-ops, farmers’ markets, and “buy-local” campaigns indicate that the opportunity is there. Many people are hungry to establish a relationship with the land on which their food is grown and with the farmers who grow it.

This manual is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather a first stop for those considering a farmstay in Minnesota. Since we won’t cover everything you’ll need to know in this guide, we will refer you to other publications, organizations, and agencies that can aid in the various aspects of developing a farmstay.

This Farmstay Manual was a collaboration of the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Renewing the Countryside, and the University of Minnesota Tourism Center."

Agritourism Workshops Scheduled

The NCDA&CS Agritourism Networking Association (ANA) has scheduled agritourism workshops across the state. Workshops are scheduled for:

• May 5 at WoodMill Vineyard in Lincoln County
  
• May 19 at Coston Farm in Henderson County
  
• June 2 at Shadow Springs Vineyard in Yadkin County

To learn more about the workshops, see an agenda or to register, visit the ANA website.

Agritourism: A Great Way to Diversify

View from Cataloochee Ranch taken at the Business Side of Agritourism Workshop on Jan 26

Check out the article from AgriNews, Agritourism Experiences Teach Valuable Lessons about farms in Indiana that incorporated agritourism activities.

From Christmas trees to dairy tours, 3-D archery, disc golf, bed & breakfasts, haunted corn mazes, pumpkins and hayrides these farmers have some great experience and advice. The article discusses the 'insurance issue' and minimizing risk. Here is another article from AgriNews addressing the very issue of liability, Agritourism Liability a Big Part of Doing Business.

Thanks to all who attended the Business-Side of Agritourism Conference we held last week at Cataloochee Ranch.

If your interested in some agritourism resources, be sure to visit the Agritourism Page on the blog.

If you want to learn even more about Agritourism, the NCDA & CS will hold their 5th Annual Winter Agritourism Conference "Taking Local Beyond the Farm". The conference will take place on February 17-18 in Cathage, NC. To learn more visit http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/agritourism/

Business Side of Agritourism Workshop 2011

The Business Side of Agritourism Workshop will take place on Thursday January 27, 2011. The workshop is presented by NC Cooperative Extension Service and NC A&T.

This year the workshop will take place at the historic Cataloochee Guest Ranch (http://www.cataloocheeranch.com/) in Maggie Valley, NC (Haywood County). The Cataloochee Ranch was founded in 1933 and continues to welcome visitors to its cabins, trails, activities and spectacular views.

We have some exciting topics this year including:

• The history of Cataloochee Ranch
• How to make your farm positively newsworthy
• New ideas for pick your own
• Farmstays
• Building a walking trail on your farm
• High adventure activities
• Using social media to market your enterprise
• Developing food communities
• Developing birding trails
• Being a land ethics leader
• Incorporating a commercial kitchen

To view the entire schedule or for more information, visit this link to the brochure.

There will also be time to network with other farmers in the area engaging or interested in engaging in agritourism.

The cost for the conference is only $40 if you sign-up by this Friday January 21 (extended from January 19). Call the Henderson County Cooperative Extension Office at 828.697.4891 to reserve your spot as soon as possible. A registration form can also be found here.

If you are an overnight guest, Cataloochee Guest Ranch is offering accomodations for Wednesday night at $70 pp. Visit their site for contact information http://www.cataloocheeranch.com/

East Coast Agritourism Webinar Series

The first session of the East Coast Agritourism Webinar Series is starting Tuesday, March 2 and its free!

NC State University’s Tourism Extension has teamed with colleagues from Rutgers University to offer a free webinar series on agritourism. The East Coast Agritourism Webinar Series will include five different sessions designed to provide an overview of important information related to agritourism.

Topics include:

• Introduction to Agritourism (March 2, 2010)

• Is Agritourism Right for You? (March 9, 2010)

• Marketing Basics (March 16, 2010)

• Creating the Customer Experience (March 30, 2010)

• Social Media 101 (April 6, 2010)

This free webinar series begins in March with a different topic offered each Tuesday from March 2-April 6 at two convenient times, noon-1pm and 7-8pm.

Visit http://www.ncsu.edu/tourismextension/WebinarSeries.html for additional information and for instructions on how to participate.

Also, feel free to contact Dr. Samantha Rich (samantha_rich@ncsu.edu) or Dr. Stacy Tomas (stacy_tomas@ncsu.edu) for additional information or if you have any questions.

*This webinar series is free, open to anyone, and does not require pre-registration or a microphone.*

Business Side of Agritourism Workshop: Thursday, January 28

NC Cooperative Extension Agents in WNC have organized an excellent workshop for individuals with Agritourism businesses or those interested in diversifying into Agritourism.

What?: The Business Side of Agritoursim Workshop

When?: January 28, registration at 8 am, educational program at 9 am

Where?: The beautiful Lake Logan Episcopal Center in Canton, NC, located just outside Waynesville

Agenda includes:

• Bob Schmidt from Maple Lane Farms in Greenback, TN
• Self and Market Assessment
• Understanding Sales Tax
• Types of Agritourism Enterprises
• Minimizing On-Farm Risk and Liability
• Rules and Regulations for Agritourism Businesses
• Using Your Chamber of Commerce and Travel and Tourism Department
• Collaborations and Collective Marketing
• Incorporation Education into Your Agritourism Business

For more details, download the Business Side of Agritourism Workshop Brochure.

Pre-Conference Activities:
For folks staying in the area on Wednesday Jan. 27, we will offer a tour of Sunburst Trout Farm at 3 pm. A reception will also be held that evening that will allow guests and speakers to talk and share local products from WNC farms.

Overnight Accomodations:
For individuals spending the night at the Lake Logan Episcopal Center, please make your own arrangements. Visit www.lakelogan.org for details.
There are also accomodations in nearby Waynesville, NC

How much?: $35/per person. Includes lunch, snacks and resource notebook

How to register: Contact Ivy Olson at the Henderson County Cooperative Extension Office, 828.697.4891 or download the brochure and mail in soon!