Agritourism the next big thing

By RENEE FITE

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — Agritourism has made the dictionary, Jeff Weeks was pleased to announce during the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast Tuesday morning.

Weeks is the eastern region coordinator for agritourism with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture.

Agritourism diversifies farm and ranch operations by adding opportunities for people to visit or participate in activities from star-gazing to horseback riding, from pumpkin patches and corn mazes. And then there’s hunting, fishing, camping and other activities that can increase the capacity to boost on-farm revenue without increasing acreage.

“Agriculture has long been the states leading industry, and tourism is third,” Weeks said during his slide show presentation at Go Ye Village.

More than $4.5 billion in travel-generated spending was reported last year in Oklahoma – and the state boasts more than 70,000 jobs.

“We have 50 licensed wineries in the state,” Weeks said. “We have farm and ranch stays, hayrides, wildlife watching, U Pick It farms, bed and breakfasts, camp-outs, campfires, chuck wagon cookouts – many opportunities to see farm products,” Weeks said.

Weeks said agritourism is the fastest-growing trend in the global market, with two-thirds of the adults in the U.S. traveling to rural destinations for leisure last year.

“People are taking shorter vacations – ‘get-aways’ – and traveling more by car, and taking last-minute trips,” he said. “They’re looking for ‘family time’ on vacation – time to bond and experience each other, reconnect with their rural roots, reminisce.”

He noted the general population is three to five generations away from the family farm.

Unique and authentic experiences are the attractions.

“Fabricated fun is out,” Weeks said. “Disney has been done. People want to get away from the rat race and experience the hospitality and safety of rural areas.”

Agritourists are divided into four categories: active doers, 21 percent, are “highly educated and have big wallets; scenic relaxers, 26 percent, enjoy hiking and camping; big trippers are 23 percent’ and homebodies are 30 percent.

“Agritourism in also an opportunity to educate the public about how food is grown,” Weeks said. “It keeps tourists in the area longer, brings new money into the community with food, lodging, fuel and local shopping.”

One pumpkin patch and corn maze had 17,000 people visit last year, he said.

Agritourists come from every state and many countries, with Germany sending the most.

“Germany is all about Oklahoma,” Weeks said. “They have cowboy clubs, but they cannot own firearms over there. They know what’s authentic because they’ve read about it. And they love to ‘shoot ’em up’ when they get here.”

He said a German couple came to the U.S. intending to move to Arizona, but someone told them so much about Oklahoma they move to Seminole instead.

“They’re looking at Oklahoma through kids’ eyes,” he said. “They see so much open land and opportunity.”

Following the presentation, JoAnn Bradley said she’d never heard the term before.

“Agritourism is a wonderful concept,” Bradley said. “Kids around here have been going to the pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farms for years. I picked my own blueberries and blackberries.”

State Rep. Jim Wilson said agritourism has been a key topic in the Legislature the past three years.

“Farmers, especially in western Oklahoma, have been seeking opportunities to be profitable or just survive,” Wilson said.

Pam Coonce grew up on a local farm, which her parents still own and operate. She was surprised to learn the average age of farm owners is 65.

“It’s encouraging to see there are opportunities to save many of the family farms and augment the incomes of cattle and dairy operations,” Coonce said. “This new program will offer many opportunities for untapped sources of income. I, for one, would not like o lose our rural heritage.”

Coonce said her mother reminded her that “growing up in rural Cherokee County, her kids couldn’t wait to leave, and now we’re all coming back.”

“We’ve all lived in large cities in other parts of the world, and now we appreciate the wonderful and satisfying heritage this area has to offer,” she said. “It’s a wonderful lifestyle and way to live. People here are really wonderful, friendly, helpful and they really care about their neighbors.”

For Brenda Etzkorn the talk was very informative.”

“It’s interesting how the farmers are having to think about other ways to save their farms,” she said.

With a tourism background, Donna Tinnin is very excited about agritourism.

“We have the tendency to go outside of Oklahoma,” Tinnin said. “It’s wonderful to have the tourism venue and attractions in our state.”

In real estate, James Cochran has seen a move to land acquisition for recreation.

“Recreation is getting to be as important as land, for hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, on private lands,” Cochran said.

Chamber Director David Moore said agritourism is a growing trend in Oklahoma, and an important economic development tool.

“We have a lot of potential here in Tahlequah to take advantage of this growing market,” Moore said. “Not only do we have plenty of natural beauty, we have the creativity and work ethic to make it work.”

Moore has been wanting to do a Farmers’ Market for a couple of years, and this presentation “reinforced that we need to do it.”