1. Results of the Rutgers Agritourism Conferences
Michelle Infante-Casella1, William Bamka1, Jenny Carleo1, Sue Colucci2, Peter Furey3, Nicole Goger3, Stephen Komar1, Lucas Marxen1, Meredith Melendez1,
Jack Rabin1, Samantha Rozier Rich4, Brian Schilling1
1 Rutgers NJAES Coperative Extension, 88 Lipman Dr., New Brunswick, NJ 08901; 2 North Carolina State University Extension, 740 Glover St., Hendersonville, NC 28792; 3 New Jersey Farm
Bureau, 168 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08608; 4 North Carolina State University, Campus Box 8004, Raleigh, NC 27695;
Abstract
The Rutgers Agritourism Working Group has
discovered that in today’s economy their clients
have had to shift their efforts from growing for
the wholesale market to the direct sale of fresh
and value-added products to local residents and
visitors. The team’s research has shown that 1 out
of every 5 New Jersey farms is now engaged in
agritourism, generating an estimated $57.5 million in annual revenue statewide.
Along with these changes come new needs: the growers need educational
assistance on topics such the “experience economy”, farm visitor safety, using
social media and other agritourism topics related to this new customer-producer
dynamic. The team secured $40,000 from the U.S.D.A. Specialty Crop Block Grants
in collaboration with New Jersey Farm Bureau (NJFB). Using these funds, the team
designed and hosted the first Rutgers Agritourism Conference. The conference
consisted of a one day conference repeated in three locations on three separate
days. The target audiences were livestock operators and crop producers currently
involved in agritourism, or considering agritourism on their farm. Attendance at
the three conferences totaled 211 farmers and policy-makers/enforcers.
Comments from attendees reflect the value they derived from the conference,
including statements like: “The program was worth more than $100” (a modest
$10 registration fee was charged)! “This program far
exceeded my expectations!” “The program was well
thought out, hit many subjects, and was good for
Results and Discussion
people starting out in agritourism and for those of us
Participants overall felt that the conference was well worth their time whether
who have done this for years.”
they were experienced in the agritourism field or just beginning to think about
agritourism as an option for their farm. 100% of survey respondents felt that
the conference met their expectations, 36% felt that the conference was
above their expectations, and 35% felt that the conference was far above their
expectations.
Materials and Methods
The workshops were funded by a $40,000 USDA Specialty Crop Grant and offered
in collaboration with the NJ Farm Bureau and Rutgers NJAES Cooperative
Extension. The goal was aiding farmers in beginning or honing existing
agritourism operation skills. The conferences were held in 3 locations. We
developed advertisement brochures, posted the events on web site calendars,
blog posts, Facebook, newsletters, newspapers and via other media outlets to
attract potential participants. Team members presented lectures which includes
http://njsustainingfarms.rutgers.edu/agritourism.html
members from North Carolina State University Extension.