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!
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Local pioneering 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.
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Participants will learn from experts in business planning, regulatory compliance, risk management, hospitality and cost-effective marketing, including social media.
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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.
The University of California Cooperative Extension Fresno County and the UC Small Farm Program in partnership with the Fresno County Farm Bureau and the Fresno-Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau will offer a three-session agritourism planning course for farmers and ranchers in Fresno and greater San Joaquin Valley region who are starting or expanding visitor-serving on-farm businesses.
Participants will learn about the variety of potential businesses, including wineries, farm stands, U-Pick operations, event hosting, ranch vacations, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and outdoor recreation.
Each participant will receive a free copy of the just-published second edition of the extensive handbook, “Agritourism and Nature Tourism in California,” which will be used as a text for the class. Attendees will assess their farm or ranch agritourism potential, hear from experienced agritourism operators, as well as experts in business planning, risk management, regulatory compliance and marketing, and will receive individual guidance in planning, starting or growing their own agritourism or nature tourism businesses.
Class sessions are set for Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011; Wednesday, Jan. 25 and Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at the Fresno County Farm Bureau, 1274 W. Hedges Ave., Fresno from 8 a.m. to noon. Each session will be followed by a networking social. Cost is $25 prior to Dec. 1; $30 after Dec. 1.
For more information, or to register, contact:
Penny Leff at palegg@ucdavis.edu or 530-752-7779, or visit http://ucanr.org/agtour.fresno.11.