Agritourism is becoming an increasingly popular way for farmers and ranchers looking to diversify their business and make extra money.
You may have never heard of agritourism, but if you鈥檝e ever visited a pumpkin patch, a corn maze or a winery, then you鈥檙e an agritourist.
More people are seeking out the experience, which creates new liabilities for farmers and ranchers as they invite strangers onto their property. And then there鈥檚 the personality question. Who on the farm has the skills鈥攁nd patience鈥攖o work with the public?
鈥淣ot all families have someone like that,鈥� said Colorado Department of Agriculture Spokesperson Wendy White. 鈥淪o you really do have to identify whether or not there鈥檚 someone in the family who鈥檚 willing to take the lead and make this work.鈥�
The all-day workshop will discuss these topics and more in Fairplay on Tuesday. The event is expected to draw producers from across the state, as well as neighboring Nebraska and New Mexico. White says in 2006 the total economic impact of agritourism was $2.2 billion dollars.
To register, or for more information, visit .
