Presented to the Agricultural Council of Maine

June 30, 2015

Compiled by Richard J. Brzozowski

Agritourism – An Option for Maine Farmers

Agritourism is the act of visiting a working farm or any agricultural, horticultural or agri-business operation for the purpose of enjoyment, education or active involvement in the activities of the farm or operation. from: http://www.trailsrus.com

What is Agritourism?

• Why would a farm consider agritourism?• What are the benefits to agritourism as an

enterprise?• What are the drawbacks to having an

agritourism enterprise?

Let’s Talk . . .

• Increases options for farm diversification• Improves awareness of local agricultural

production• Helps develop new agricultural market niches• Provides farm families with on-site employment • Strengthens sustainability of small farms• Viable community economic development strategy

From: Agri-Tourism in Maine: Opportunities, Challenges and Linkages, Allen, Gabe & McConnon

Why is Agri-Tourism Important?

• To generate additional farm profits – 55%• To respond to a need/opportunity in the market – 41%• Primary source of income for the farm – 40%• To increase and/or diversify my market – 37%• To capitalize on a special interest or hobby – 29%• To provide a new and interesting challenge – 19%• To generate revenues during the off-season – 15%• To provide employment for family members – 14%From: Agri-Tourism in Maine: Opportunities, Challenges and Linkages, Allen, Gabe & McConnon

Primary Reasons for Engaging in Agritourism

Maine Maple Sunday Open Farm Day

Arts & Crafts Music Festivals Bird watching

Children’s Playground or Area Cooking & Food Demonstrations

Corn Maze Corporate Retreats Cross Country Skiing

Display Gardens/Flower or Horticultural Demonstration

Educational Workshops Exotic Animals Farm

Bed & Breakfast Haunted House or Haunted Hayrides

History and Heritage Tours Kids Parties Petting Zoo

Pick Your Own Private Parties Pumpkin Patch

Riding Lessons Riding Stable Snowmobiling

Special Occasions Tours Wagon/Carriage/Sleigh Rides Weddings Winery Wine Tastings

From: www.getrealmaine.com

A Variety of Opportunities to Involve Customers

• Supplementary Enterprise– Supports other activities on the farm

• Complementary Enterprise– Share equal footing with other activities

• Primary Enterprise– Dominant activity

Agritourism Enterprise Types

• Agritourism activities are found on all sizes and types of farms in Maine

• The importance of agritourism to farm revenue varies inversely to farm size

• Agritourism activities generate $28.3 million in sales:– 43.1% of agritourism farm sales and 5.1% of total farm

sales– 1,927 full-time and part-time jobs– $12.5 million in indirect economic impact– $40.8 million in total economic impact

From: Agri-Tourism in Maine: Opportunities, Challenges and Linkages, University of Maine, Allen, Gabe & McConnon

Agritourism in Maine

• Finding adequate time• Insurance availability or cost• Finding qualified workers

From: Agri-Tourism in Maine: Opportunities, Challenges and Linkages, University of Maine, Allen, Gabe & McConnon

Key obstacles to agritourism include:

• More than 20% of farms in New Jersey offer Agritourism

• New York farm income from Agritourism was at $18 million in 2007

• New Hampshire Agritourism income is over twice that on Maine

• Connecticut Agritourism income is over eight times that of Maine

Agritourism is Growing in Maine & Beyond

• The Economic Contribution of Agri-Tourism to the Maine Economy, University of Maine researchers Thomas G. Allen, Todd M. Gabe and James C. McConnon (2006)

• Agri-Tourism in Maine: Opportunities, Challenges and Linkages (2007)

• Extension Training for Agritourism Development http://agritourism.rutgers.edu/training/

• Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC) http://www.agmrc.org

Useful Resources

Questions or Comments

University of Maine Cooperative Extension207-951-7155 • richard.brzozowski@maine.edu

http://www.extension.umaine.eduThe University of Maine is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.