Can Agritourism Compliment or Embrace Cultural and

Heritage Tourism?

Desmond Jolly Director of University of California Small Farm Center, Davis

By definition agri-culture is culture that is defined by ways of life involving various kinds of husbandry – animals, fruits, nuts, vines, or mixed farming.

Historically these endeavors had their own seasonal rhythms and cultural patterns.

Agriculture is Culture.

Subcultures of Agriculture

• Industrial Agriculture – the dominant mode of agriculture in the United States – much like non agricultural industries.

Subcultures continued …

• Artisanal Polycultures or Subcultures– Sheep– Alpacas– Goats– Weaving and Spinning– Knitting and Garment weaving

More Artisanal Polycultures …

• Olives and Olive Oil

• Herbs

• Artisanal Herbal Based Products

• Smaller Scale Orchards

• Berries

The Heritage Intersection

• Agriculture has evolved through the centuries and leaves a trail or artifacts, tools and fossils, structures and memories constituting cultural heritage, sometimes particular to specific locations.

• A Historian can act as a cultural archeologist unearthing facts of interest that sheds light on the ways of life pertaining to various places and times. They can construct and reconstruct narratives that illuminate the past and explain various agri-cultures.

Conclusion

Agritourism includes and complements cultural and heritage tourism and can be marketed and promoted together.