What is agritourism?

Agritourism, also called agritainment, agricultural tourism, agrotourism or farm tourism, has several definitions. In 2003, members of the Tennessee Agritourism Initiative steering committee defined agritourism as

An activity, enterprise or business which combines primary elements and characteristics of Tennessee agriculture and tourism and provides an experience for visitors which stimulates economic activity and impacts both farm and community income.

The committee also included a list of enterprises which were thought to often meet the definition including:

• Agriculture-related museums
• Agriculture-related festivals and fairs
• “Century Farms”
• Corn-maze enterprises
• Farmers markets
• On-farm tours
• On-farm retail markets
• On-farm vacations
• On-farm festivals and fairs
• On-farm petting zoos
• On-farm fee-fishing
• On-farm horseback riding
• On-farm bed and breakfasts
• Pick-your-own farms
• Wineries

Although several definitions exist from other sources as well, most definitions of agritourism have a common theme that combines elements of the tourism industry with elements of the agriculture industry. This common theme involves bringing members of the public to farms. The ultimate goal of an agritourism enterprise is often to increase farm income by providing education and/or recreation to consumers.

To learn more about agritourism in Tennessee, check out the following Web sites:

Pick Tennessee Products for a list of enterprises in the state.
    http://www.picktnproducts.org

Agri-tourism in Tennessee: Current Status and Future Growth, 2003-2004
    http://web.utk.edu/%7Eaimag/pubs/agritour.pdf

A Snapshot of Tennessee Agritourism: Results of the 2003 Enterprise Inventory
    http://utextension.tennessee.edu/publications/pbfiles/PB1747.pdf

Agritourism in Focus: A Guide for Tennessee Farmers
   Web Site Not Yet Available