Agricultural Tourism

Unique Niches - Agritourism in Britain and New England

Section 6: Recommendations/Financial and Organizational Resourcescontinued

Business development would focus on value added products such as farmstead cheeses, specialty vegetables, herbs, site and marketing assistance in farm kitchens, brand name development, and other farm diversification or agritourism ventures.

The grant could be modeled after a similar effort called Cumbria Farm Link in England where a farm business is offered a free confidential business and environmental review after two site visits, followed by a practical report of the farm business and an action plan to help farmers with next steps. The recommendations may go no further, or they may continue with the preparation of a detailed business plan that is partially grant aided, with the balance paid by the recipient.

Other matching funds and resources include the Small Business Development Center staff housed at Santa Rosa Junior College. This organization services the North Bay region. Grant funds may be available from the Sustainable Agriculture program and/or rural development funds from the California Communities Program, both at UC Davis. An advisory committee would be formed to steer the project and assist in the selection of projects if the grant proposal is funded.

Editor's note: This ends the formal text. The bibliography and appendices follow on the remaining pages.

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