Amidst the current economic recession, farmers in Tennessee have found a way to supplement their incomes while doing what they always do--work their farms.600 agritourism operations have popped up across the state as farmers and ranchers are opening up their gates for reunions, weddings, hay rides, animal feeding and milking, and other tours and activities.
As Anne Paine reports for the Tennessean, farmers like Billy Donnell "view agritourism as a way to educate the public about farming, while still raising cattle and crops." Donnell notes the tours pay for themselves "plus a little extra [.]"
Some farmers, like Jason and Amy Ladd of Rutherford County, have started their operations with the hope it will provide their primary income. Their biggest attraction are the pettable farm animals, over 100 currently. For the five weeks the Ladd farm was open last year they had roughly 10,000 visitors. With many animals on birth alert, they hope to see that number grow in 2010.
Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens notes that agritourism is '"very much a growing industry in Tennessee [.]"' A 2006 University of Tennessee study, which can be accessed by clicking here, reports annual agritourism spending stimulates roughly $32 million in economic activity, with $17 million in direct spending.
It is estimated that 11.5 acres of Tennessee farmland is lost per hour for development, so it is not surprising that conservationists support the efforts of Tennessee farmers and the agritourism movement too. Most recent data "show that 8,500 farms and 600,000 acres have been lost over the six years ending in 2007."
In addition to benefiting the farm owners, state Tourist Development Commissioner Susan Whitaker states in the Paine article that '". . . this new industry of agritourism . . . is good for tourism, but it's good for local communities, too [.]"' The University of Tennessee report notes that for "every dollar spent at an agri-tourism attraction, an additional $.85 of economic activity is generated through multiplier effects."
It appears agritourism will be part of the Tennessee farm landscape for some time to come.
To read the Tennessean article click here.
Posted: 02/23/10
