Welcoming and attracting paying visitors to your farm to enjoy hands-on recreational and educational activities can help you generate a significant source of farm revenue.  Beginning and small and mid-size farms are increasingly exploring agritourism as a strategy to diversify income and remain competitive.

N.C. Cooperative Extension in Cleveland County, in partnership with Empowering Mountain Food Systems, cordially invites you to a free agritourism workshop on Thursday, October 30 from 4 - 7 PM.  The workshop will convene in the County Office Building Auditorium located at 130 S. Post Road, Suite 1, Shelby, NC 28152.

We will kick things off with an introduction to agritourism from by NC State Tourism Extension Associate Ann Savage.  According to Ms. Savage, "Agritourism has been linked to several benefits for farmers, including greater understanding of food and fiber origins, stronger connections to farms and rural areas, and even an increased intent to purchase locally produced goods. Beyond the farm, it supports community vitality and rural preservation, which are particularly important in North Carolina, one of the most rural states."

Her presentation will help you understand the basic principles of agritourism and help you assess if it is right for your farm business. Then we’ll move into more specifics on developing and sustaining a business concept, identifying business resources, and understanding how to launch and grow your business through customer experiences and marketing.

There will also be a farm visit to Willis Farms in Belwood (upper Cleveland County). This farm, owned and operated by Rodney & Lynn Willis, grows a sweet sorghum and heirloom corn, using them to make cornmeal, grits, and award-winning sorghum syrup molasses sold at the farm, online, and at local farmers' markets.

We will learn about how this working farm is using agritourism to supplement their food-manufacturing operations and boost sales.

The farm invites guests to visit the corn & sorghum fields, tour their manufacturing facility, see antique machinery & equipment, visit a recreated 1800's homestead, or stay in a restored 1935 farmhouse that is advertised on airbnb.

Secure your Eventbrite tickets for this workshop here.