CREATING AN EFFECTIVE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FARM OPERATORS TO SUCCEED IN AGRITOURISM

agritourism activity has the potential not only to keep small- and medium-sized farms in business but also to provide important local economic development spillover effects. while agritourism is not profitable or even appropriate in all communities, various stakeholders report that key barriers currently prevent farmers who would like to provide agritourism services from doing so. these barriers represent opportunity costs and include not only lack of information among producers, consumers, supporting organizations and policy makers, but also regulatory gaps across the states. drawing on extensive stakeholder input, guidance and collaboration, the goal of this proposed project is to develop and disseminate practical information that will allow small- and medium-sized farmers and rural communities to benefit from the growing consumer interest in agritourism activities. supporting objectives include to understand the roles and educational needs of various organizations in supporting agritourism; improve understanding of factors that contribute to growth in agritourism across u.s. counties; and deliver peer-reviewed educational materials to farmers as well as supporting organizations and policy makers.