Agricultural Tourism

Unique Niches - Agritourism in Britain and New England

Section 4: Agritourism in New England

The Agritourism Market in Connecticut, Vermont and New York continued

Researchers at Cornell University have documented the status of agritourism in New York. Authored by Duncan Hilchey in 1993, the publication, Agritourism in New York State, provides several brief case studies, and describes some of the educational materials available. Duncan also interviewed a small sampling of farm tour operators and developed an excellent slide set about several of the agritourism operations.

Both Wayne and Oswego County leaders are focusing on a number of strategies to preserve and maintain agriculture as a viable sector in their counties. Their ideas are similar to efforts found in the North Bay and many other areas of the U.S. and include local and regional marketing, expansion into agritourism, and purchase and/or transfer of development rights. Local leaders are just getting started with the agritourism effort. Wayne County recently received $17 million to rejuvenate the Erie Canal as a tourist attraction. Local leaders are hoping to hire a part time community development specialist who would be housed in the Cooperative Extension office to help develop this effort.

Currently 22 different farms offering u-pick, farm markets, farm tours or B&B accommodations operate in Wayne County. The fledgling farmers market in Wayne County is sponsored by the local Cooperative Extension office which hosts the weekly event in its large parking lot alongside a busy roadway.

Survey of Agritourism Operators

The 20 farms I visited and interviewed were active in some form of agritourism in Eastern Connecticut, Vermont and upstate New York. The farm operations ranged from 10 to 1,500 acres, including diversified dairy operations, farm stands, farm B&Bs, petting paddocks, pumpkin patches, specialty cheeses, ice cream, farm museums, farm wedding sites, farm kitchens and related farm products, berries and maple sugar. Some were small supplemental direct market operations employing family members only, others were very large and diversified and included non family employees. All were direct market ventures, meaning the operator promoted and sold their product directly to the customer. One third of those interviewed had diversified into catalog sales and maintained active mailing and promotional lists.

Farmers and entrepreneurs indicated the importance of several key factors in the success of any agritourism endeavor

the type of person that enjoys constant exposure to customers and people

an attractive setting or farm, especially if the product involves the farm experience

a nearby population or steady stream of potential customers

patience and perseverance.

Following is a summary of responses gathered during the farmer interviews. A listing of farmers is provided in Appendix D and a more detailed copy of the interviews is available upon request.

What were the personal and family considerations in developing their enterprise?

The majority of those responded that they needed additional income and saw diversification as alternative to loss of the farm. Younger farm couples inheriting the farm, saw the operation as something very different than their parents. For a few it was a dream come true and a lifestyle choice.

How did farmers determine what enterprises were most suitable and profitable for their situation?

This was a mix of interest, abilities, financing, and infrastructure and response to observations on numbers of tourists or potential customers passing through the area. All of their enterprises had started small and evolved through time.

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