Posts Tagged: agritourism

Agritourism Course

 

AGRITOURISM INTENSIVE:

A class for Ventura region farmers and ranchers

offered by UC Cooperative Extension Ventura, Ventura County Farm Bureau, the UC Small Farm Program, Oxnard Convention and Visitors Bureau, and other local partners

Are you considering agritourism or nature tourism on your farm or ranch? Would you like to build your agritourism or nature tourism business?

This class is for you!

Local agritourism operators will share their own experiences and will be part of a supportive network of advisors as class participants plan and start new enterprises.

Participants will learn from experts in business planning, regulatory compliance, risk management, hospitality and cost-effective marketing, including social media.

The hands-on, interactive activities will guide participants as they assess their own farms or ranches for agritourism potential and start their own business, risk management and marketing plans.

Each participant will receive a free copy of the extensive handbook, "Agritourism and Nature Tourism in California", which will be used as a text for the class.

 

For more on agritourism see:

http://sfp.ucdavis.edu/agritourism/

 

Registration is open – Sign up today

Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles County farmers and ranchers are welcome to sign up for the 3-session course. Register now at

 

http://ucanr.edu/agtourventura13

Dates: Tuesdays, December 3, 2013, January 14, 2014 and February 11, 2014

Times:

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. each session (lunch provided)

Location:

Center for Non-Profit Leadership, 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93012

Cost:

$50 for 3-session course – Space is limited, please register early

Information:

Penny Leff, UC Small Farm Program, paleff@ucdavis.edu, 530-752-7779

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2012-49200-20030.

 

 

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Agritourism class materials available

UC’s 2011-2012 Agritourism planning classes are now finished. Preparations for next year’s classes are currently underway. Classes will be held later this year and early next in Sacramento, Sonoma, and San Diego Counties.

In the meantime, class materials are currently online. Topics include:

• Tourism development outline
• Farm stay agritourism 101
• How to start a pick-your-own operation
• Sample budget for on-farm festival
• Developing a hunting program on a ranch or farm
• Evaluating the financial potential of an entertainment farming/farm tourism business
• Internet marketing for your agritourism business
• Agritourism health and safety guidelines for children
• And much more

Are you a non-farmer interested in visiting a farm or ranch? Please visit UC’s CalAgTour website to learn of opportunities throughout the state.

California farm and ranch operators can also use the site to advertise their agritourism offerings at no cost. Ventura County growers can contact their local UCCE office for assistance in posting their business online.

 

 

Small Farm News

The first Small Farm News of 2012 is ready for viewing! As always this newsletter is full of relevant and practical information to assist small-scale farmers and ranchers.

Topics in this issue are:

• Workshops to prepare growers for food safety
• Building statewide support for California agritourism
• Selling wholesale at a farmers market
• Tips for growing, selling organic
• CSA operators offer tips
• How to identify ‘snake-oil’ products
• Pedro Ilic Award honors Paul Vossen

The newsletter can be found on this page of the UC Small Farm Program website.

New edition of Small Farm News

The first Small Farm News of 2012 is ready for viewing! As always this newsletter is full of relevant and practical information to assist small-scale farmers and ranchers.

Topics in this issue are:

• Workshops to prepare growers for food safety
• Building statewide support for California agritourism
• Selling wholesale at a farmers market
• Tips for growing, selling organic
• CSA operators offer tips
• How to identify ‘snake-oil’ products
• Pedro Ilic Award honors Paul Vossen

The newsletter can be found on this page of the UC Small Farm Program website.

Agritourism interest increases

Our office has received an increase in calls from people wishing to visit farms and ranches. As public interest into local food systems and production continues to grow, agritourism is a way for food producers to increase revenue.

Tourism offerings are varied throughout the state.  Local, Ventura County agritourism ventures include: farm and nursery tours; overnight stays; farm stands; petting zoos; picnic and play areas; u-pick produce; lectures and presentations; agriculture-related gifts and crafts; value-added food products; horseback riding and trail rides; camping; nature walks; special events; plants; and cut flowers.

UC’s California Agricultural Tourism Directory allows consumers to search for farms and ranches throughout the state. There is no cost to add a farm or ranch to this statewide directory. Easy to follow instructions for consumers and producers are included on the directory’s home page.

For more information about agritourism, please contact our office.

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