- Author: Chris M. Webb
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.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
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.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
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.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
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.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Did you know there are over 81,000 farms in California? Over 100 specialty crops are grown on these farms.
Partnering in part with UC’s Small Farm Agricultural Tourism Directory, the California Agricultural Almanac is an interactive and user-friendly website that helps viewers learn more about foods grown in California.
At the site viewers can learn about:
- Agricultural places
- Where and when crops are grown
- Where farms are located, and how farmers can add their farm to the database
- Farm fresh markets throughout the sate
- Workshops, farm tours, tastings and other California farm events