Presented to the Agricultural Council of Maine June 30, 2015 Compiled by Richard J. Brzozowski...

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Presented to the Agricultural Council of Maine June 30, 2015 Compiled by Richard J. Brzozowski Agritourism – An Option for Maine Farmers

Transcript of Presented to the Agricultural Council of Maine June 30, 2015 Compiled by Richard J. Brzozowski...

Presented to the Agricultural Council of Maine

June 30, 2015

Compiled by Richard J. Brzozowski

Agritourism – An Option for Maine Farmers

Agritourism is the act of visiting a working farm or any agricultural, horticultural or agri-business operation for the purpose of enjoyment, education or active involvement in the activities of the farm or operation. from: http://www.trailsrus.com

What is Agritourism?

• Why would a farm consider agritourism?• What are the benefits to agritourism as an

enterprise?• What are the drawbacks to having an

agritourism enterprise?

Let’s Talk . . .

• Increases options for farm diversification• Improves awareness of local agricultural

production• Helps develop new agricultural market niches• Provides farm families with on-site employment • Strengthens sustainability of small farms• Viable community economic development strategy

From: Agri-Tourism in Maine: Opportunities, Challenges and Linkages, Allen, Gabe & McConnon

Why is Agri-Tourism Important?

• To generate additional farm profits – 55%• To respond to a need/opportunity in the market – 41%• Primary source of income for the farm – 40%• To increase and/or diversify my market – 37%• To capitalize on a special interest or hobby – 29%• To provide a new and interesting challenge – 19%• To generate revenues during the off-season – 15%• To provide employment for family members – 14%From: Agri-Tourism in Maine: Opportunities, Challenges and Linkages, Allen, Gabe & McConnon

Primary Reasons for Engaging in Agritourism

Maine Maple Sunday Open Farm Day

Arts & Crafts Music Festivals Bird watching

Children’s Playground or Area Cooking & Food Demonstrations

Corn Maze Corporate Retreats Cross Country Skiing

Display Gardens/Flower or Horticultural Demonstration

Educational Workshops Exotic Animals Farm

Bed & Breakfast Haunted House or Haunted Hayrides

History and Heritage Tours Kids Parties Petting Zoo

Pick Your Own Private Parties Pumpkin Patch

Riding Lessons Riding Stable Snowmobiling

Special Occasions Tours Wagon/Carriage/Sleigh Rides Weddings Winery Wine Tastings

From: www.getrealmaine.com

A Variety of Opportunities to Involve Customers

• Supplementary Enterprise– Supports other activities on the farm

• Complementary Enterprise– Share equal footing with other activities

• Primary Enterprise– Dominant activity

Agritourism Enterprise Types

• Agritourism activities are found on all sizes and types of farms in Maine

• The importance of agritourism to farm revenue varies inversely to farm size

• Agritourism activities generate $28.3 million in sales:– 43.1% of agritourism farm sales and 5.1% of total farm

sales– 1,927 full-time and part-time jobs– $12.5 million in indirect economic impact– $40.8 million in total economic impact

From: Agri-Tourism in Maine: Opportunities, Challenges and Linkages, University of Maine, Allen, Gabe & McConnon

Agritourism in Maine

• Finding adequate time• Insurance availability or cost• Finding qualified workers

From: Agri-Tourism in Maine: Opportunities, Challenges and Linkages, University of Maine, Allen, Gabe & McConnon

Key obstacles to agritourism include:

• More than 20% of farms in New Jersey offer Agritourism

• New York farm income from Agritourism was at $18 million in 2007

• New Hampshire Agritourism income is over twice that on Maine

• Connecticut Agritourism income is over eight times that of Maine

Agritourism is Growing in Maine & Beyond

• The Economic Contribution of Agri-Tourism to the Maine Economy, University of Maine researchers Thomas G. Allen, Todd M. Gabe and James C. McConnon (2006)

• Agri-Tourism in Maine: Opportunities, Challenges and Linkages (2007)

• Extension Training for Agritourism Development http://agritourism.rutgers.edu/training/

• Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC) http://www.agmrc.org

Useful Resources

Questions or Comments

University of Maine Cooperative Extension207-951-7155 • [email protected]

http://www.extension.umaine.eduThe University of Maine is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.