The family farm is evolving in Canada and around the globe. Farm families are looking beyond the traditional farming enterprise to generate income.
Although we are aware of families seeking income off the farm or learning new skills to improve their farming, other families are looking at agricultural diversification with a twist.
They use the family farm to create a secondary enterprise that generates non-agricultural income.
Check out www.agritourismworld.com to see what is going on around the world in this industry.
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U.S. research says agricultural-based tourism is the fastest growing sector of the U.S. tourism industry. Agritourism is defined as a combination of natural farm setting and products of agriculture combined to create a tourism experience that is often educational.
Agri-entertainment is also based on a farm but attracts visitors for the entertainment value in the farm setting.
So what is the hype about agritourism and agri-entertainment and what are some examples? The farmhouse bed-and-breakfast operation or U-pick berry and vegetable farms naturally come to mind.
Other agritourism is based on specialized products or themes to entertain people. Corn mazes, Halloween haunted house tours, wagon rides, animal petting zoos, pony rides or miniature golf are other examples of seasonal or year round opportunities to entertain and educate youth groups, church groups or school groups.
Year round agritourism can also include themed birthday parties offering paintball or hay rides. Areas that are rich in heritage and history can offer guided tours.
Agri-entertainment can include Easter egg hunts, moonlight pumpkin-picking parties, pancake breakfasts and seasonal farm fests.
The Barn Playhouse Theatre near Saskatoon is an example. The theatre is indeed a barn that has been turned into a stage. For the past 16 years the Dyck family farm business has offered community theatre, featuring local actors. The entertainment package includes food booths, live music and horse-drawn wagon rides. A craft barn features local artisans’ work. The facilities include space for banquets, conferences and weddings.
Agritourism can create on-site employment and strengthen the sustainability of the farm. Rural communities can benefit by collaborating to attract nearby or far-away tourists by presenting a mixture of attractions and services.
Agritourism and agri-entertainment are not for everyone and can create a lot of extra work.
It can be a good way to supplement farm income if you enjoy people, are creative and energetic and can be a jack-of-all trades.
Put your imagination to work and think outside the box, but inside the farm.
Therri Papp is a career development educator offering on-line personal development programs and career consulting to individuals and business groups. For further information call 306-249-4937 or visit www.freeyesinfo.com.
