The benefits of agritourism and how to know if it’s right for your farm
One of the growing segments of tourism is one that is unique to farms but is providing countless opportunities for those farms to wildly succeed. Agritourism is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture as a commercial business that connects agricultural production and tourism, attracting visitors to entertain or educate and bring in additional income for the farm or business owner. For farm owners, it’s a great way to boost the farm’s economy. And for visitors, it’s a way to learn about farming and other types of agricultural businesses, support small farms, and grow an appreciation for things like food production, farming practices, and more. In short, there are many benefits to agritourism.
If you are already farming on your land, or if you are in the agriculture industry, you may be asking if agritourism is right for you. Or, maybe you’re already offering some forms of agritourism already and wondering what more you can do to enhance your already outstanding offerings. The following is what you should know if you’re wondering if it’s right for you.
How does agritourism benefit farms?
Agritourism is an all-encompassing term for many types of agricultural experiences. You may have traditional farming, U-pick or cut fields, a Christmas tree field, or a farm stay. All of those things can be turned into a way to diversify your income beyond the products you’re selling alone. In fact, research conducted by North Carolina State University shows that agritourism is beneficial, particularly to small farms. By bringing tourists into the inner workings of a farm, it not only increases the farm’s revenue, but it changes the perception of local foods, resulting in more farm-to-table food consumption.
On top of that, the agritourism market is expected to grow significantly by 2030: more than doubling in size from 2022 to 2030. That means more and more farms will become destinations in the next several years. As people continue looking for unique experiences, agritourism answers that desire and allows your guests to enjoy a more relaxing vacation, particularly for urban dwellers who want a deeper understanding of where their food is coming from. As agritourism grows, farms can respond and find a new and diverse form of income for the business.
How does agritourism benefit your guests?
Agritourism has become a rewarding type of travel experience for a variety of people. Of particular note, it’s the younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z who are clamoring for outdoor agricultural experiences. And what’s driving that desire is a want for memorable experiences that give them that better understanding of where their food is coming from. They are hyper-aware of the need for sustainability, and they often see agritourism as a way to experience farming first-hand.
No matter the type of farm you have, you’ll be able to draw in a passionate demographic who wants to get their hands dirty and learn about what your specific farm has to offer. Whether you’re inviting them to pick pumpkins, ride horses, explore a vineyard, pet rescue pigs, or milk a cow, you’ll give them an experience only you can offer. Your farm can give them a way to relax, learn more about agricultural production, or pick their own berries. No matter what, your farm will give them an experience they’ll never forget.
What else can you do to draw in guests?
One of the benefits of agritourism is that there are numerous ways you can draw in guests outside of what you already offer on your farm. In addition to the offerings you currently have available on your property, one of the biggest growth opportunities available to you is taking advantage of the popularity of glamping.
Glamping is booming in North America for the same reason agritourism is experiencing growth. Younger generations, as well as elder Millennials and Gen X, are looking for different experiences that go beyond a traditional vacation. Glamping, a trend that has merged camping with luxurious and unique structures, can diversify your income as your guests want to extend their visits to farms. Glamping is also a great way to keep guests at your farm even longer. According to the North American Glamping Report 2022, glamping is drawing in guests who are staying in their glamping structures for 3 to 5 days at a time and who are willing to spend money on a memorable experience.
Get in touch to see if glamping is right for your farm
PlainsCraft Covered Wagons is proud to share the stories of agritourism ventures that are finding great success with their glamping wagons. If you’re curious about whether wagons might be right for your farming business or to learn more about the benefits of agritourism, get in touch. We’ll walk you through those benefits, help you understand your return on investment, and show you why glamping is the right addition to your property.
