Agritourism is Growing!

I just back from a trip to Italy where I visited Agritourism sites in Fruili and in the Castelli Romanii area, and learned a lot. Serendipitously, upon my return home to Sonoma County, CA, I went wine shopping on Saturday at Safeway, and who should I find stocking the shelves but Bob Benzinger? Bob is a winemaker at Benzinger and one of the foremost proponents of sustainable farming in the wine industry! The obvious benefits of sustainable farming are what make this a growing trend, and the emphasis on creating and sharing an experience with others has opened up the doors for curious eco-friendly travelers to understand more about where their food and drink comes from. This amalgamation of perfect circumstances – the popularity and growing awareness of being eco-friendly with the greater understanding of living sustainably due to economic necessity works to create agritourism. People from all walks of life, from curious city slickers to multi-generation farmers are exploring this reinvention of living green.

In a recent New York Times article, Inn owner and farmer Kim Rodgers is quoted as saying, “A lot of people just want that rural farm experience," a reason why those promoting agritourism have been so successful in the past couple of years. Agritourism is growing not only as a way to increase awareness and knowledge about sustainable living, but also as a lucrative endeavor for rural properties. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, says the New York Times article, estimates that only about 13% of the average farm income is derived from the farms resources. Agritourism helps to boost this number and keep family members working on the farm. Perhaps my intense interest in this trend comes from the fact that California, my home state, is a leader in agritourism, where nearly 700 farms average more than $50,000 in agritourism income, according to a 2007 census.

This month, I also had the pleasure to explore family travel on ranches and farms for our Family Travel Blog, and came across a fascinating project known as “Outstanding In The Field”. The leader of this project is Jim Denevan, who has found the heart of what attracts people to the rural outdoors: a calm and peace that surrounds a place of growth and beauty. Check out the events he has coming up on his website.

Another great resource for family travel with a green tint is Greenloons, a company with a wealth of valuable information about sustainable and ecological family travel internationally. A new article by Irene Lane of Greenloons, entitled Top 10 Eco Travel Tips for Family Vacation Planners, is one I found particularly well done and helpful for families interested in this topic. Here is a quick excerpt:

“8. Choose activities that emphasize environmental awareness versus outdoor adventure: Here’s a hint. If you are being taken by a gas-guzzling double coach bus to experience your unique “eco” activity, it’s not about green travel. True green activities, which can include kayaking, hiking and sailing, are led by certified naturalists, who guide small groups of no more than 12 to allow for first-hand interpretation and education of local flora and fauna. Devoted eco-tourism organizations not only teach tourists about the plants, birds, insects and animals of the region, but also how wildlife is crucial to the surrounding ecosystems. Learning about the fragility and sensitivity of ecosystems becomes much more important than just a great photo opportunity.”

Irene’s detailed article is a must read for families wishing to begin their own agritourism tradition! Please find the full article in our Family Travel Guides Archive.

Best wishes,
Pamela