- In today’s search for the next billion dollar industry to revitalize Main Streets,
many rural leaders are again pinning their hopes on nature. New opportunities
are not arising from traditional sources—commodity industries like agriculture or
mining.
Tomorrow’s opportunity may well be wildlife-related recreation—already a $108 billion industry
nationwide. To put that in perspective, that amount was more than the total cash receipts of the
U.S. livestock industry in the same year.
In many rural places, hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching have boosted rural tourism,
spurred business growth, and contributed to strong land value gains.
The brightest prospects though, still lie ahead. Rural communities fortunate enough to have
other amenities to complement their natural resource base are in the best position to reap
new economic benefits from this booming industry.
businesses have been the primary beneficiary of the wildlife recreation industry.
Agri-Tourism:
Rural America’s Newest Billion Dollar Industry
Jason Henderson Economist Center for the Study of Rural America
Rural America’s Newest Billion Dollar Industry
Jason Henderson Economist Center for the Study of Rural America
The Agriculture Landscape is Rapidly Changing
Land is being converted to housing and other uses at an alarming rate. In Eastern Montana they are moving off the farms into town, or simply
moving away. One result of this transformation is the loss of prime farmland near all of the major cities and many rural towns. Some sectors of
agriculture are moving into what some people call an industrialization stage, or the very large and concentrated production of food and fiber. Some
farmers don’t want to expand their operations, but few small farms can yield traditional farm products and compete successfully in this
marketplace. Some agricultural sectors are in transition to new food and fiber production enterprises or to agritourism alternatives that will help
them maintain or increase their farm income, sustain their lifestyle, and conserve their natural resources.
This transition into alternative enterprises and agritourism is happening at an opportune time. Urban and rural consumers alike are lining up, in
several areas of the country, for food, fiber, and fun from the local farmer or rancher.
Market research and experience show that:
The National Survey on Recreation and the Environment estimated that 63 million Americans visited farms annually during the 2000–03 survey-
period. This indicates that alternative enterprises and agritourism would be a viable partner in most rural community development programs.
Land is being converted to housing and other uses at an alarming rate. In Eastern Montana they are moving off the farms into town, or simply
moving away. One result of this transformation is the loss of prime farmland near all of the major cities and many rural towns. Some sectors of
agriculture are moving into what some people call an industrialization stage, or the very large and concentrated production of food and fiber. Some
farmers don’t want to expand their operations, but few small farms can yield traditional farm products and compete successfully in this
marketplace. Some agricultural sectors are in transition to new food and fiber production enterprises or to agritourism alternatives that will help
them maintain or increase their farm income, sustain their lifestyle, and conserve their natural resources.
This transition into alternative enterprises and agritourism is happening at an opportune time. Urban and rural consumers alike are lining up, in
several areas of the country, for food, fiber, and fun from the local farmer or rancher.
Market research and experience show that:
- Consumers today are looking for local, fresh, organically or naturally grown products and are, in most cases, willing to pay extra for them.
- More and more, consumers want to know who produced their food and how it is produced. Thus, they support local farmers and the
conservation of natural resources. - Children and adults are looking for the opportunity to engage in interactive educational and outdoor activities.
- Tourists and farm customers are interested in farm culture and heritage so they can better understand agriculture. This opens the door for
farmers and ranchers to provide an agricultural experience. - The public is looking for interactive experiences close to home that will help them get back to their roots.
The National Survey on Recreation and the Environment estimated that 63 million Americans visited farms annually during the 2000–03 survey-
period. This indicates that alternative enterprises and agritourism would be a viable partner in most rural community development programs.
It is difficult for a farm family to initiate this first step alone. Changing to a new enterprise involves different
production techniques, processing methods, and marketing activities. The entrepreneur must also identify
and establish relationships with new networks and organizations that can help support the transformation
to new enterprises and provide opportunities for the development of alternative enterprises and agritourism.
Basic questions:
Alternative Enterprises - Marketing an existing farm or ranch product differently, adding value before it is
sold, or adding a new enterprise (product or service) to existing enterprises on the farm or ranch. Also
referred to as enterprise diversification. Besides the production of food and fi ber, alternative enterprises
include the following activities:
production techniques, processing methods, and marketing activities. The entrepreneur must also identify
and establish relationships with new networks and organizations that can help support the transformation
to new enterprises and provide opportunities for the development of alternative enterprises and agritourism.
Basic questions:
- What can be done differently to sustain the resources and the family?
- What new enterprises might fi t with existing farm and ranch enterprises?
- Do markets exist for the products that can be grown or produced, the services that could be provided,
or the kinds of recreational or educational activities that can take place on a farm or ranch? - What federal, state, and local grant, loan, or conservation programs can be used to help develop
these enterprises? Are private funds available?
Alternative Enterprises - Marketing an existing farm or ranch product differently, adding value before it is
sold, or adding a new enterprise (product or service) to existing enterprises on the farm or ranch. Also
referred to as enterprise diversification. Besides the production of food and fi ber, alternative enterprises
include the following activities:
- Agritourism - Inviting the public onto a farm or ranch to participate in various activities and enjoy an
agricultural experience. Agritourism enterprises include bed and breakfasts, for-fee fi shing or
hunting, pick-your-own fruits/ vegetables, corn mazes, farm markets, and much more. - Agritainment - Providing the public with fun on-farm or on-ranch activities. Such activities include
haunted houses, mazes, miniature golf, horseback riding, hayrides, and the like. - Agrieducation - Formal and informal education about agriculture through signage, tours, hands-on
classes, seminars, and other methods. Cultural and Heritage Tourism - Use of historic and cultural
attractions to teach visitors about the past and present. - Direct Marketing - Any form of marketing in which a consumer purchases a product or service
directly from a producer. - Nature Tourism - Consumptive and non-consumptive use of the natural resources. Nature tourism
ranges from birding, rock climbing, camping, hiking, stargazing, and even skydiving to hunting and
fishing. - Value-Added - A product whose appeal to consumers has been increased through packaging,
processing, marketing, or production practices or services. Each step of adding value to a product is
an alternative enterprise.
Cultural and heritage tourism is one of the fastest
growing domestic and world tourism activities.
Heritage tourism satisfies a need for those looking for traditional values. Agriculture is unique in that many Americans want to get back to their
roots and learn about their country’s history. Others want to learn how their food and clothing are produced. Many farmers and ranchers not only
own historic buildings or property that includes historic sites, but also know the history of their community and region. If you are willing to have
people stay or visit to learn about food and fiber production and the farming heritage, you should include this activity in your business and
marketing plan.
Several outlets are available to sell farm or ranch food and fiber products. These include on-farm sales, farmers’ markets, Community-Supported
Agriculture restaurants, institutions, schools, consumer groups, Internet sales, wholesale, grocery stores, and specialty markets. Most of the
education, recreation, and agricultural experience services will occur on the farm or ranch.
Ideas???? Farm/Ranch Recreation Possibilities
Here is a listing of potential activities to get you thinking about how your current operation and assets may be augmented with a
tourism/recreational enterprise. The options are limited only by imagination and regulations.
growing domestic and world tourism activities.
Heritage tourism satisfies a need for those looking for traditional values. Agriculture is unique in that many Americans want to get back to their
roots and learn about their country’s history. Others want to learn how their food and clothing are produced. Many farmers and ranchers not only
own historic buildings or property that includes historic sites, but also know the history of their community and region. If you are willing to have
people stay or visit to learn about food and fiber production and the farming heritage, you should include this activity in your business and
marketing plan.
Several outlets are available to sell farm or ranch food and fiber products. These include on-farm sales, farmers’ markets, Community-Supported
Agriculture restaurants, institutions, schools, consumer groups, Internet sales, wholesale, grocery stores, and specialty markets. Most of the
education, recreation, and agricultural experience services will occur on the farm or ranch.
Ideas???? Farm/Ranch Recreation Possibilities
Here is a listing of potential activities to get you thinking about how your current operation and assets may be augmented with a
tourism/recreational enterprise. The options are limited only by imagination and regulations.
- Agriculture Food & Craft Shows
- Animal Feeding
- Archery Range
- Fossil / Rock Collecting
- Barn Dances (Square Dancing, etc.)
- Bed & Breakfast (Rural & Historical)
- Bird Watching & Wildlife Viewing
- Boating & Canoeing
- Camping / Picnicking
- Children’s Camp (Summer or Winter)
- Corporate picnics
- Cross-country Skiing
- Educational or Technical Tours
- Elderhostel
- Family Reunions
- Farm or Ranch Work Experience (roundup, haying,
- fencing, calving, cutting wood, etc.)
- Fee-Hunting
- Fee-Fishing (Ice Fishing in Winter)
- Floral Arrangements
- Flower Shows or Festivals
- Fly Fishing and Tying Clinics
- Food Festivals
- Gardens (flowers, greenery, herbs, dried flowers)
- Guided Crop Tours
- Guiding and Outfitting
- Habitat Improvement Projects
- Harvest Festivals
- Hay Rides / Sleigh Rides
- Hiking / Cave Exploring
- Historical Museums and Displays (Ag History,
- Machinery, etc.)
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting Dog Training & Competition
- Off-Road Motorcycling, ATV, Mountain Biking
- Pack Trips
- Petting Zoo
- Photography / Painting
- Ranch Skills (horseshoeing, leatherwork, camp
- cooking, horse training, etc.)
- Roadside Stands & Markets
- Rock Climbing
- Rodeo
- Self-Guided Driving Tours
- School & Educational Tours and Activities
- Snowmobiling
- Swimming
- Trap & Skeet Shooting
- Tubing & Rafting
- U-Pick Operations
- Wagon Trains
- Wilderness Experiences
| © 2008 - Sheridan County Online, Alternatives Magazine and Mountain Publishing Website developed by M.E. Questions contact dennisk@nemont.net |
Birding, whether it be watching, raising or hunting
them is one of the best opportunities for new
agri-businesses in Sheridan County
them is one of the best opportunities for new
agri-businesses in Sheridan County
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Posted October 15, 2008
ARTICLE was great but most of the activities mean community involvement and Sheridan County does not seem to have that. Residents of this
community are elderly or are busy raising a family. The young kids that move away have no incentive to move back, lack of jobs is a big factor. To
get a good job in this community you have to know someone to get it. The No Hunting signs are a disappointment to me. Why do farmers do this,
most hunters are very friendly and very considerate about the land. This is what I am talking about community involvement. We had hunters stay at
our house for 20 years and then they bought some property from us. They were two of the best renters and we miss seeing them each year. So
the hunters are friends and should be treated as such
LORI LORD
Plentywood
tsr1004@hotmail.com
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