Agritourism

Agricultural tourism, or agritourism, is one alternative for improving the incomes and potential economic viability of small farms and rural communities. Some forms of agritourism enterprises are well developed in California, including fairs and festivals. Other possibilities still offer potential for development.

CalAgTour.org
The California Agritourism Database provides visitors and potential enterpreneurs with information about existing agritourism locations throughout the state.

Research briefs

These short papers from the Small Farm Center are based on a survey of residents in Yolo and Sacramento Counties, to examine consumer trends and agritourism.

• Information Channels Reaching Agricultural and On-Farm Nature Tourism Visitors (2007)


• Consumer Demand for Agricultural and On-Farm Nature Tourism (2005)

Books

Each of these publications is available for sale through the Small Farm Center. Click on each title for more information or view all publications.

• Agritourism and Nature Tourism in California (2005)
  This 160-page workbook aims to assist farmers and ranchers in developing an agritourism enterprise.
• Planning and Managing Agritourism and Nature Tourism Enterprises: A Handbook (2006)
  This 44-page primer includes articles on topics related to starting an agritourism operation and has a chapter on creating a business plan.

More information

Agricultural Tourism definition
Defines various types of agritourism operations

Fact Sheets: Managing Agritourism Operations
This collection of fact sheets includes how-to tips for starting an agritourism operation.

Agricultural Homestay Bill (AB 1258)
California's current legislation regarding overnight stays at farms and ranches, passed in 1999.

Obstacles in the Agritourism Regulatory Process
This brief from the UC Agricultural Issues Center examines the perspectives of operators and officials in 10 California counties (2003)

UC Agricultural and Nature Tourism Workgroup
The workgroup brings together interested professionals from throughout the University of California to facilitate activites that add to the rural and agricultural sectors through the development of agricultural and nauture tourism.

Articles by the Statewide Agricultural Tourism Working Group
Various archived articles and presentations

Small Farm News Agritourism Farm Profiles
Archived stories of individual agritourism operations in California and elsewhere.

Unique Niches: Agritourism in Britain and New England
This publication examines the existing function of agritourism in Britain and New England, in order to examine opportunities for Sonoma and Marin farmers (1998)

Additional Agritourism links