Agricultural Tourism

Unique Niches - Agritourism in Britain and New England

Section 1 Study Organization continued

On the East Coast

I followed a similar protocol during this portion of my investigations. In the three weeks I was gone I traveled 2,300 miles, shot six rolls of film and interviewed 30 individuals active in the agritourism market in Connecticut, Vermont and upstate New York. Most were farm operators but several were Extension or Sea Grant agents with expertise and experience in agritourism. I spent approximately five days in each state and each of my state hosts had arranged well developed itineraries.

In Connecticut, Norm Bender had a chance to revisit several farm operations that he had surveyed in 1995; in Vermont I participated in Bob Townsend's Farm Tourism workshop held at the Sheep and Wool festival in Killington and in New York, Duncan Hilchey of Comell's

Farming Alternatives Program let me "paw" through his extensive files on agritourism for several hours.

I returned with a suitcase of materials that will be useful in planning workshops and for sharing with interested workshop participants.

Outcome

Was my primary objective met? Yes and more! I certainly learned a great deal about alternative income ventures on farms as they relate to tourism. But just as important I was vividly reminded of the importance of "pride in place". Time and time again, communities I visited were concerned about the importance of maintaining their livelihoods and their farms. Declining economic conditions and the transition of the land to their children increased their interest in alternative enterprises.

Agritourism is by no means a panacea for all farms looking for additional income. In fact, it may only be an option for a handful of farm families, and it supplements the farm income but does not replace it. Because agriculture and tourism are two of the most visible activities presently occurring in West Marin, I believe there is a natural fit and window of opportunity for those interested. A recent paper on the effects of tourism on agriculture in Hawaii shows positive effects as agricultural products have diversified and agritourism based attractions supported local communities with revenues and employment (Cox, 1994).

One of the biggest differences I noted between England and the U.S. is the level of awareness by public officials of how important farms and farmers are to the maintenance of the beloved landscape. In England, it went beyond elected officials' rhetoric to the daily planning and oversight functions of government staff. This is partially due to the fact that England has few publicly owned parks and so depends on farmers to maintain areas designated as national parks. England's financial assistance program makes it more palatable for farmers to respond to the restrictions placed on them for being part of that park.

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