October 18, 2011 by

Farmer Agritourism Resources:
Selecting an Agritourism Venture

These NJAES fact sheets may help determine if you want to proceed down the path to agritourism:
Qualifying and Quantifying Your Personal Agritourism Potential
Is an Agritourism Venture Right for Your Farm?

If you’ve decided agritourism is worth exploring, consider what type of agritourism venture best fits your farm family lifestyle and current operation.

“Pick-Your-Own” Operation

pick-ur-ownMany producers are experiencing success using a pick-your-own business model. This type of operation combines the sale of an agricultural product with the experience of harvesting a crop. A successful pick-your-own operation provides a great family atmosphere while providing the opportunity for additional sales, reduced labor costs and return visits. Some common examples include: choose and cut Christmas trees, pumpkin picking, and U-pick flowers, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Agritourism, Articles, Economics, Education, Farmers-Communities
October 18, 2011 by

Farmer Agritourism Resources:
Risk Management Plan

As an owner operator of an agritourism enterprise you are legally responsible for the well-being of customers and employees. Create a risk management plan to minimize exposure to the main areas of risk and negligence including site safety risk, product risk, employee related risk, and financial risk. Risk management experts recommend avoiding certain activities, using liability waivers, purchasing insurance, practicing good management techniques, training employees, and paying attention to the legal structure of your business.

Risk Management Action Plan

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Agritourism, Articles, Economics, Education, Farmers-Communities
October 17, 2011 by

Farmer Agritourism Resources:
Evaluate Your Unique Assets

FarmWalkTo help determine the kind of agritourism venture that would fit well with you, your family, and your farmland, evaluate the features & unique assets of your farm. Consider the following:
[Read more…]
Filed Under: Agritourism, Articles, Economics, Education, Farmers-Communities
October 16, 2011 by

Farmer Agritourism Resources:
Write Your Business Plan

Clarify the values, goals, challenges, and strategies of your new agritourism enterprise by working through a business plan. Business plans are not just used to secure financial support. They are for you, the entrepreneur, to “flesh out” the enterprise you visualize – avoiding costly mistakes before they occur. When making your plan, be objective and as thorough as possible in your gathering of data. Consider using FINPACK, or AgPlan.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Agritourism, Articles, Economics, Education, Farmers-Communities