Utah Farm Bureau Federation Midyear Conference2001

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Utah Farm Bureau FederationMidyear
Conference--2001
Greetings from Cache Valley and
Utah State University
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Institute for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

• In 1998, Utah State Legislature approved
  Senate Bill 35...
• To provide continuing funding to Utah
  State University...
• To establish and support an interdisciplinary
  program of research, extension, and teaching...

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Institute for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

• To provide a better understanding of the
  relationships between
• outdoor recreation and tourism
• natural resources management
• community economic vitality
• quality of life issues
  for the citizens of Utah.

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Mission of the Institute

• The Institute for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
  (IORT) conducts a program of research, extension,
  and teaching for the benefit of the people of
  Utah, our country, and the world, directed at
  improving our understanding of the relationships
  between outdoor recreation and tourism, natural
  resources management, community economic
  vitality, and quality of life.

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Institute for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
Extension Function

• Provide an Extension Specialist in Outdoor
  Recreation and Tourism
• To work with
  government agencies and officials,
  non-governmental
  organizations,
  and individuals in the private sector.
• To offer information, consultation and training
  sessions in outdoor recreation and natural
  resource-based tourism development.

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New Ways to Make Money From Your Land?

• Agricultural markets are changing.
• Consumers want more than the traditional food and
  fiber commodities that have dominated U.S.
  agriculture.
• Consumers want new kinds of products, higher
  quality food, and
  safe food.

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New Ways to Make Money From Your Land?

• Consumers want other things from agriculture as
  well, as increasingly they value a range of
  diverse amenities supported by rural lands
• Open space and countryside scenery
• Clean air and water
• Habitat for wildlife
• Ecological services
• Opportunities for outdoor recreation
• Enjoyment of protected natural lands

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New Ways to Make Money From Your Land?

• Consumers want the environment nourished and an
  agricultural system that does not harm the
  environment nor threaten human health.
• Many agricultural entrepreneurs see opportunities
  in these growing market areas.

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New Ways to Make Money From Your Land?

• Agricultural entrepreneurs are diversifying their
  enterprises and adding income through producing
  for specialty or niche markets and providing
  services for a visiting public.
• Such strategies are giving some producers a
  competitive advantage in the marketplace today.

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New Ways to Make Money From Your Land?
Agricultural Tourism

• One alternative for improving the incomes and
  potential economic viability of small farms,
  ranches, and rural communities.

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Some Trends in Tourism...

• Many people are taking more frequent, shorter
  vacations, rather than one long vacation each
  year.
• There is a growing interest in vacations that
  involve doing or experiencing, and
  learning.
• Tourists are most often interested in
  experiencing a package of activities.

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Develop a Package of Activities Experiences

• Todays tourists are willing to pay for
  quality experiences, services and products, but
  there must be enough activities and places to
  visit.
• Develop a quality package of
  activities and experiences
  to both attract visitors and convince them to
  make an extended trip.

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As Part of a Package

• Natural Allies
• Agricultural Tourism
• Outdoor Recreation
• Nature Tourism
• Heritage Tourism

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A Package of Tourism Experiences

• Increasing interest in experiencing the
  activities of the farm or ranch for
  agricultural tourism.
• Steady public interest in the
  use of our natural resources for outdoor
  recreation activities.
• Growing interest in our significant cultural and
  historic resources for heritage tourism.

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What is Agricultural Tourism or Agri-Tourism?

• The act of visiting a working farm, working
  ranch, or any agricultural, horticultural,
  or agribusiness operation...

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What is Agricultural Tourism or Agri-Tourism?

• ...for the purposes of enjoyment, education, and
  active involvement in a variety of
  activities and experiences.

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Agri-Tourism

• Merges the world of travel with experiences of
  farming, ranching, and our agricultural system.
• Lets the traveling public
• interact directly
  with farm or ranch families and workers
• experience a variety of agriculturally-related
  experiences and activities.

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Agri-Tourism

• A service-oriented business conducted by a farm
  or ranch operator for the enjoyment and education
  of the visiting public
• To promote the agricultural products and
  experiences of the operation, and thereby
  generate additional farm or ranch income.

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Agri-Tourism includes...
Dude or Guest Ranches
Farm and Ranch Educational Tours
Pick Your Own Produce
Agricultural Heritage Festivals Fairs
Roadside Stands
Tasting Events
Farm and Ranch Bed Breakfasts
Ag Museums
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Agri-Tourism is Value Added Complementary Items
or Activities
Fishing Hunting
On-Farm/Ranch Camping
Guided Tours
Heritage Activities
Wildlife Observation Birdwatching
Local Arts Crafts
Gardens
Nursery Plants
Outdoor Recreation
Wild Flowers
Your Ranch T-Shirts
Honey
A Place to Eat
Refreshments
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Outdoor Recreation

• Remains among the top purposes for leisure
  travel in the U.S.

Almost 80 of tourists say scenery is one of
their top considerations in selecting
a destination
for travel.
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Outdoor Recreation

• Fastest growing recreation activities
• birding/wildlife observation
• walking/hiking/backpacking
• snowmobiling/OHV driving
• bicycling/mountain biking
• snow skiing/snowboarding
• swimming
• canoeing, kayaking, rafting

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Nature Tourism

• Nature Tourism,
  particularly
  wildlife watching
  and birdwatching,
  
• ...is one of the fastest
  growing sectors in the
  travel and tourism
  industry.

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Nature Tourism and Tourists

• Discretionary travel to natural areas that
  conserves environmental, social, and cultural
  values, while generating an economic benefit to
  the local community.
• Travelers who spend time and money to experience
  nature and the outdoors, and learn more about a
  particular destination with a concern for minimum
  impact and sustainability.

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Activities for Nature Tourists

• Bird Wildlife Observation
• Bird Wildlife Festivals
• Highlighting Wildlife Migrations
• Interpretive Signs, Stations, Waysides and Trails
  for Wildlife Viewing
• Educational Programs

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Agri-Tourism Operators

• Can cultivate the Outdoor Recreation and Nature
  Tourism markets potential
• by offering opportunities for a variety of
  activities and experiences
• by restoring wildlife habitat and protecting
  riparian areas and wetlands
• by creating favorable conditions for
  songbirds and other wildlife.

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Heritage Tourism

• Discretionary travel to areas rich in
  significant cultural and heritage resources
  worthy of preservation

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Heritage Tourism Tourists

• Conserves local social and cultural values, while
  generating an economic benefit to the local
  community.
• Heritage Tourists spend time and money to
  experience local culture and heritage, and learn
  more about a particular destination.

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Heritage Tourists

• Reason for travel is most often for entertainment
  and enjoyment through experiencing a variety of
  activities related to local culture and heritage.

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Heritage Tourism Activities
Festivals Special Events
Traditions History
Interpretation Guided Tours
Arts Crafts
Music Song Dance
Museums
Ethnic Foods
Shopping Dining
Heritage Sites
Historic Buildings Architecture
Scenic Vistas
Rendezvous Gatherings
Visits to State/ National Parks
Driving Tours
Living History
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Utah Heritage Themes

• Native American History Culture
• Early Exploration
• Spanish Trail
• Mountain Men
• Mormon Colonization
• Homesteading
• Pony Express, Mining, Railroads

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Agri-Tourism Operators

• Can cultivate the Heritage Tourism markets
  potential by
• offering opportunities for a variety of cultural
  heritage experiences
• preserving cultural and heritage resources
• telling the story revealing the meaning and
  relationships of cultural heritage through
  first-hand involvement with objects artifacts,
  sites landscapes.

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Critical Elements for Agri-Tourism Operators

• A sincere interest in visitors and willingness to
  spend time with them
• An outgoing personality
  patience and perseverance
• Sufficient land and water resources in an
  attractive setting
• Supporting services and infrastructure

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Critical Elements for Agri-Tourism Operators

• Capital finances
  for start-up and conversion costs
• Good organizational skills
• Accessible location
  to nearby populations and markets
• Strong spousal and family support

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Other Considerations...

• Liability and Risk Management
• County/State Codes Regulations
• Developing a Business Plan
• Marketing Assistance
• Starting small and then building
  the tourism business over time
• Agri-Tourism as a component of a
  county-wide/region-wide tourism plan

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Cooperation/Collaboration with other
tourism-oriented businesses

• Banding together of agri-tourism operators with
  other businesses in a community to develop and
  promote overnight get-a-way packages is one
  opportunity for expanding business and economic
  impact in a community.
• A group of communities can work together and
  promote their whole area or region.

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Institute for Outdoor Recreation and
TourismCollege of Natural ResourcesUtah State
University
Dr. Steve Burr Associate Professor of Recreation
Resources Director, Institute for Outdoor
Recreation and Tourism Extension Specialist in
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Institute for
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Utah State
University 5220 Old Main Hill Logan, Utah
84322-5220 Office [phone] FAX (435)
797-4040 E-mail swburr_at_cnr.usu.edu Visit the
IORT Website at www.cnr.usu.edu/iort