Iowa farmers awake to potential of agri-tourism; Kentucky starts Web site to promote it

While other states have more experience with agri-tourism, Iowa and its farmers are working to catch up and cash in, reports Erin Crawford of the Des Moines Register. The trend of using farms as tourist draws began in Vermont about 25 years ago, and states such as Kentucky and Nebraska have created cooperative groups and Web sites to encourage the industry. Because Iowa "hasn't developed a cohesive marketing effort for the state's agri-tourism," the state trails its neighbor, but some groups are to trying to change that, Crawford writes.

Dianna and Loren Engelbrecht (in a Register photo by Harry Baunert) "are among the few in Iowa to offer farm stays, which treat the farm as a mini-theme park, with cows and chickens instead of roller coasters and bumper cars," Crawford writes. "About 80 percent of the approximately 1,000 tourists they attracted last year live in urban areas."

The Iowa Agritourism Working Group hopes to gather marketing and business resources to help farmers learn more about the industry. The group also will host a conference on March 15 in Ames. Nebraska's Country Adventures Web site offers "a national online mall for rural tourism" and lest farmers pay $7.50 for a listing, plus 15 percent of sales. Similarly, Oklahoma Agritourism offers resources for farmers interested in getting started. Iowa does not have such a site, so starting one is a priority for the Iowa Agritourism Working Group. (Read more)

Meanwhile, in a state that has been actively promoting agri-tourism for several years, and just started a Web site for it, The Kentucky Standard's Brian Walker reports on a visit by the state agency's director to Bardstown, a town of 10,000 with a longstanding tourism industry. “There are 145 venues defined on the site already,” Stephen Yates said. “We’re confident there are almost that many more not listed that should be.” The site is free. “Those places that don’t have a Web site of their own, this will at least get consumers a name, address and phone number.” (Read more)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides information on agritourism here.