 | • How to incorporate agritourism into your next event Agritourism is on the rise and though the term may feel new, the activities involved aren’t too far from your comfort zone. Agritourism is the business of inviting guests to visit and/or participate in normal farm or ranch activities. Participating venues in agritourism activities are most often working farms and ranches, and tourism activity is a secondary income. Agritourism activities usually are not designed for large groups of guests, but some are, such as pumpkin patches, orchards, farm festivals and corn mazes. Agritourism generally is viewed as small-scale, low-impact and, in most cases, education-focused. |
Agritourism includes camping, biking, hiking, bed and breakfasts, fresh pick-your-own vegetables and fruits, rental cabins, fee hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities such as nature photography and bird-watching. The list is limited only by the operator's imagination. This form of experience is on the rise in the Midwest giving planners a variety of opportunities to incorporate it into teambuilding and outings.
Many actives you may have pursued in the past, such as winery tours and tastings, were the beginning of agritourism as a market. If you have utilized orchards, agriculture museums, living history farms, or garden tours in your events you have experienced agritourism.
As participants look to new experiences you may be wondering what type of agritourism to incorporate next. Consider ‘out of season’ ideas to add an element of surprise. While lettuce isn’t seen as a winter crop, touring a hydroponic (year-round, indoor) lettuce facility will give your group a new perspective. Learn about the growing process and then add to the nutritional value of your event by adding farm-fresh salad to your menu, following the theme through your event.
If you don’t have the time or budget for a group excursion or want to add an agritourism element to a meeting, consider having a local coffee roaster serve pour-over and brewed coffee as people arrive. This coffee expert can discuss the process and educate your participants in a fun and interactive way without leaving your venue.
What has been your favorite agritourism adventure? Tell us by contacting our editor at Charmaine@MidwestMeetings.com
Many actives you may have pursued in the past, such as winery tours and tastings, were the beginning of agritourism as a market. If you have utilized orchards, agriculture museums, living history farms, or garden tours in your events you have experienced agritourism.
As participants look to new experiences you may be wondering what type of agritourism to incorporate next. Consider ‘out of season’ ideas to add an element of surprise. While lettuce isn’t seen as a winter crop, touring a hydroponic (year-round, indoor) lettuce facility will give your group a new perspective. Learn about the growing process and then add to the nutritional value of your event by adding farm-fresh salad to your menu, following the theme through your event.
If you don’t have the time or budget for a group excursion or want to add an agritourism element to a meeting, consider having a local coffee roaster serve pour-over and brewed coffee as people arrive. This coffee expert can discuss the process and educate your participants in a fun and interactive way without leaving your venue.
What has been your favorite agritourism adventure? Tell us by contacting our editor at Charmaine@MidwestMeetings.com
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