Newsletter Archives: California Agritourism News

The California Agritourism News e-newsletter, produced by the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP) Agritourism Program, is a chance for growers, agritourism operators, county staff, tourism professionals and everyone else involved in California agritourism to keep up with the latest information. Input and suggestions from readers are always welcome!

E-newsletter Archives

Past issues are listed below.

• December 2024

• September 2024

• April 2024

• March 2024, Liability Bill Introduced

• February 2024 

• December 2023

• September 2023

• July 2023

• April 2023

• October 2022

• June 2022

• March 2022

• September 2021

• June 2021

• April 2021

  • Goodbye from Penny, outgoing UC SAREP Agritourism Coordinator
  • Hello from Rachael, new UC SAREP Agritourism Coordinator
  • FREE webinar series: Agritourism & Direct Sales; Best Practices in COVID times and beyond
  • Presentations and materials posted from Agritouism Intensive 2021
  • Calagtour.org directory and calendar
  • Activity Spotlight: U-Pick Farming at Pacific Star Gardens
  • Help available with extended PPP Program
  • USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative
  • New funding for Value-Added and Local Food Projects
  • EcoFarm call for workshop/speaker proposals for 2022 Conference
  • Agritourism Resources

• February 2021

  • North Coast Agritourism Intensive class starts March 3
  • FREE webinar series: Agritourism & Direct Sales; Best Practices in COVID times and beyond
  • Presentations and materials posted from Central Coast Agritouism Intensive 2021 class
  • Calagtour.org directory and calendar
  • California Small Farm Conference (virtual) starts Feb. 22
  • New food safety guide for urban farmers
  • Apply for USDA Value-added Producer Grant
  • Agritourism Resources

• December 2020

  • Position opening: UC SAREP Agritourism Coordinator
  • Agritourism Intensive class in SLO and Mendocino regions
  • UC SAREP Small Grants available now
  • National Agritourism Survey Results
  • Visit California Tourism Industry resources
  • NAFDMA Virtual Agritourism Summit Feb. 4-6, 2021
  • Specialty Asian Produce survey
  • Add your farm to the CAFF Farm Directory
  • EcoFarm Conference is virtual January 20-23
  • Agritourism Resources

• November 2020

  • Agritourism Intensive class in SLO and Mendocino regions
  • USDA funds UC SAREP to strengthen direct sales & agritourism - 3 year project starts soon
  • Find visitors with www.calagtour.org
  • CFAP2 Direct Relief Application Deadline is Dec. 11
  • Farmers Build Fire Resilience Online Course
  • NAFDMA Virtual Agritourism Summit Feb. 4-6, 2021
  • NAFDMA Virtual Learning Retreat
  • NAFDMA Fall Season Wrap-up roundtable recording
  • Young Farmers offer Direct Sales Software guide
  • Add your farm to the CAFF Farm Directory
  • EcoFarm Conference is virtual January 20-23
  • Agritourism Resources

• September 2020
  • UC SAREP's current agritourism projects
  • Agritourism Intensive classes coming Winter 2021 in SLO and Mendocino Counties.
  • Help visitors find you; list on www.calagtour.org
  • County regulatory updates
  • Sonoma County Urgency Ordinance
  • Siskiyou County agritourism ordinance hearing Sept. 15
  • Notes from here and there
  • Help farmers impacted by fire
  • Register with FEMA if impacted by fire
  • Produce Safety after wildfire
  • FSA offers "Disaster at a Glance" guide
  • CFAP application deadline Sept. 11
  • On-farm elderberry workshop
  • NAFDMA members share Fall planning discussion
  • Rutgers University Extension offers COVID safety tips
  • USDA RD creates Recreation Economy Guide
  • Resources for COVID-19 survival
  • Useful agritourism resources
• July 2020
  • UC SAREP's current agritourism projects
  • Help plan "Agritourism Intensive" classes in Mendocino & SLO Co.?
  • COVID-19 Agritourism Resources compiled on UC CA Agritourism website
  • UC agritourism directory & event calendar - www.calagtour.org
  • California Agritourism Operators Share Thoughts & Plans for Fall 2020
  • Notes from here and there
  • Visit California's Coronavirus Update offers research, resources
  • Farm Aid Launches Farmer Resilience Initiative
  • Expanding Eligibility for the Paycheck Protection Program to DMOs
  • Resources for COVID-19 survival
  • Useful agritourism resources
• May 2020
  • Opening for visitors? Some ideas and best practices
  • Guidelines for summer day camps
  • Peer-to-peer experiences and lessons learned
  • Agritourism COVID-19 Operation Restart Best Practices guide
  • Notes from here and there
  • Free children's story from Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm
  • Partner with Sagra to build your agritourism operation?
  • Reconnecting markets; Feeding Communities initiative
  • New Sierra Nevada Geotourism website
  • New government funding program: CFAP
  • Please add & share: "Shelter-in-Place Direct-from-Farms" website
  • UC agritourism directory & event calendar - www.calagtour.org
  • Resources for COVID-19 survival
  • Useful agritourism resources
• April 2020
  • Financial emergency resources
  • Emergency grants and loans - non-profit
  • Emergency grants and loans - government
  • Resources for understanding government programs
  • For U-Pick Farms and Roadside Stands
  • Guidance and considerations for U-Pick
  • Printable signs and guidelines for roadside stands
  • Please add & share: "Shelter-in-Place Direct-from-Farms" website
  • Upcoming webinars
  • Understanding opportunities for Elderberry Sales
  • Sheep and grapes
  • Resources for COVID-19 survival
  • Useful agritourism resources
• March 2020
  • News from here and there:
    • Sonoma County Farm Trails & others create online local food portals
    • SLO Co. Farm Trails shifts focus
    • Underwood Family Farms cancels events, starts box delivery
    • Tanaka Farms reports on changes
    • Farm Stay updates from farm stay hosts
  • Resources for dealing in COVID-19 times
  • Help plan Agritourism Intensive Classes in Mendocino & SLO Counties
  • National Agritourism Survey Update
  • Join calagtour.org directory & event calendar
  • Useful agritourism resources
• January 2020
  • Last chance to join National Agritourism & Direct Sales Survey
  • www.calagtour.org - CA agritourism directory & event calendar
  • County regulatory updates
    • Final Contra Costa Co. comments due
    • San Diego Co. to allow vendors at agritourism events
  • CA conferences and summits in February
    • CA Small Farm Conference in SLO Co.
    • Sustainable Food & Farm Conference in Nevada Co.
    • Tuolumne Co. Agritourism Summit
  • Useful resources
• November 2019
  • Join the National Agritourism and Direct Sales Survey
  • www.calagtour.org - CA agritourism directory & calendar for visitors
  • County regulatory updates: San Diego Co. invites participation
  • Some educational opportunities coming up
  • Useful resources
• October 2019
  
  • Just published online: Two new agritourism activity guides:
  • The Big Event: Hosting a Festival on Your California Farm
  • Guest Lodging on Your California Farm or Ranch
  • www.calagtour.org - CA agritourism directory & calendar for visitors
  • County regulatory updates related to agritourism:
  • Contra Costa County ordinance comments due
  • Riverside County first to allow Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation
  • Some educational opportunities coming up
  • Some grant funding opportunities
  • Useful resources
• August 2019
  
  • California Agritourism website for the agritourism community
  • www.calagtour.org - CA agritourism directory & calendar for visitors
  • Follow up with Agritourism Intensive 2019 participants
  • County planning updates related to agritourism:
  • Contra Costa County ordinance discussion continues
  • San Diego meetings to discuss Agricultural Community Events
  • Amador County drops plan to regulate Short Term Rentals
  • Some educational opportunities coming up
  • Useful resources
• May 2019
  • Agritourism Intensive Class resources posted online
  • New energy for CA agritourism directory & calendar
  • County planning updates related to agritourism:
  • Contra Costa County issues draft ordinances
  • Siskiyou County zoning ammendment to Planning Commission
  • History Train dinner events on Merced County dairy farm
  • Use Airbnb to add value to your small farm or ranch
  • Some educational opportunities
  • Useful resources
• February 2019
• Agritourism Intensive class resources posted online
• Let visitors find you with www.calagtour.org
• County agritourism planning updates
  • Contra Costa County public meeting
  • Siskiyou County completes CEQA review
  • Shasta County planner meets with stakeholders
  • Santa Cruz County revives ordinance revision process
  • Sonoma County updates farm stay ordinances
• Farm Stay guides and association
• Useful resources
• • December 2018
    • Agritourism Intensive classes start soon
    • CalAgTour.org directory & event calendar
    • County agritourism planning updates
      • Contra Costa
      • Siskiyou
      • Shasta
    • Maize Quest agritourism survey
    • National Extension Tourism conference call for proposals
    • Fruitguys Community Fund grants
    • Upcoming conferences
    • Useful Resources
  • December 2018 - Announcement: Agritourism Intensive classes in Calaveras & Santa Cruz Counties
  • November 2018
    • New guide: "Hosting Dinners on Your California Farm"
    • Agritourism Intensive classes in Calaveras & Santa Cruz Counties
    • Calagtour.org directory offers free listings & event calendar
    • Contra Costa County reviews Ag Land Use Policies
    • Siskiyou County drafting new agritourism ordinances
    • Upcoming educational opportunities
    • Useful resources
  • July 2018
    • New Guide: "Planning a U-Pick Operation on Your California Farm"
    • CalAgTour.org - free listings & event calendar
    • Nevada County Farm Trail Weekend
    • Open Farm Day in Vacaville
    • Gravenstein Apple Fair
    • Placer Wine Trail: Grape Days of Summer
    • Coming Soon: SLO Farm Trail
    • Contra Costa County Reviews Agricultural Land Use Policy
    • Upcoming Educational Opportunities
    • Useful Resources
  • May 2018
    • "Agritourism Intensive" classes for El Dorado & Santa Cruz Counties
    • Agritourism Professional Development resources now online
    • CalAgTour.org directory and calendar
    • Nevada County adopts new agritourism ordinances
    • New Vacaville Agritourism Association starts up
    • Guest editorial: CA Farm Bill for Our Future
    • National Young Farmers' Coalition CA survey
    • County Agricultural Ombudsmen
    • Final Sacramento Urban Ag workshop
    • Thoughts requested on the Definition of Agritourism
    • Useful Resources
  • December 2017
    • Southern CA agritourism professional development workshop
    • CA Small Farm Conference presentations posted online
    • County regulatory updates
    • California Agritourism Adventures on Facebook
    • Upcoming conferences, gatherings and education
    • Funding opportunities
    • Useful resources
  • August 2017
    • Agritourism professional development workshops
    • California Small Farm Conference early-bird registration
    • California Small Farm Conference scholarships
    • CalAgTour.org directory and calendar promotion
    • NAFDMA Convention comes to California
    • Useful resources
  • May 2017
    • UC Small Farm Program leader retiring
    • Agritourism project moves to UC Sarep
    • California Small Farm Conference workshop deadline extended
    • CalAgTour.org directory & calendar promotion
    • National Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge
    • Useful resources
  • April 2017
    • California Small Farm Conference call for participation
    • Regional agritourism summit notes & presentations
    • CalAgTour.org directory and calendar promotion
    • Useful resources
  • January 2017
    • Register now for regional summits
    • Webinar summaries now online
    • Farm Stay stories
    • CalAgTour.org directory & calendar promotion
    • Useful resources
  • December 2016
    • Registration open for four regional agritourism summits
  • November 2016
    • Regional agritourism summits planned
    • County ordinance updates - Santa Barbara, Stanislaus
    • Olive harvesting adventure
    • Educational opportunities
    • Promoting the NEW www.calagtour.org
    • Help promote farm stays
    • Useful resources
  • October 2016
    • Promoting the NEW www.calagtour.org
    • Help plan regional agritourism summits
    • Useful resources
  • August 2016
    • www.calagtour.org update & marketing plan
    • Help plan upcoming regional workshops?
    • Heirloom tomato maze uses hay bales
    • Santa Barbara Gaviota Coast Plan
    • Sierra Valley Ag & Art Trail
    • UC research shows marketing effectiveness
    • Useful resources
  • July 2016
    • Recorded webinars posted online
    • U-Pick membership programs
    • County zoning ordinance updates
    • Santa Barbara winery ordinance
    • Farm stay promotion at farmers' markets
    • CalAgTour.org directory and calendar
    • Useful resources
  • June 2016
    • "Agritourism Conversations" webinars
    • San Diego agritourism, specialty foods workshop
    • Customer engagement: Garlic Braiding Party
    • NAFDMA Advanced Learning Retreat
    • Santa Barbara Winery Ordinance
    • Useful resources
  • May 2016
    • Agritourism lunchtime webinars continue
    • San Diego Agricultural Promotion ordinance
    • Butte County TBID: Explore Butte County
    • Yolo County agritourism discussion
    • San Mateo County Food Safety meeting
    • Livestock & poultry owners survey
    • Funding opportunities
    • Calagtour.org directory
    • Useful resources
  • April 2016
    • Lunchtime webinars & Online forum
    • Emergency Preparedness website
    • Marketing tool: Vayable
    • Guide for land use changes
    • Some funding opportunities
    • Calagtour.org directory
    • Useful resources
  • March 2016
    • Introducing: Agritourism Conversations
    • Farm dinners
    • CalAgTour.org directory
    • Useful resources
  • February 2016
    • County regulations update
    • CA Small Farm Conference
    • Potential marketing partners
    • CalAgTour.org directory
    • Useful resources
  • January 2016
    • Marketing guide response?
    • El Dorado County ordinance update
    • Agritourism Intensive classes pics
    • CA Small Farm Conference
    • Upcoming workshops
    • CalAgTour.org directory
    • Useful resources
  • December 2015
    • Agritourism Intensive classes
    • Small Farm Conference
    • CalAgTour.org directory
    • Funding opportunities
    • Useful resources
  • November 2015
    • Agritourism Intensive classes
    • Just published: Guide to regional marketing
    • Small Farm Conference scholarships
    • New Projects starting
    • CalAgTour.org directory
    • Useful resources
  • July 2015
    • 2016 CA Small Farm Conference
    • Specialty Food workshops
    • North Bay agritourism
    • San Diego Agricultural Promotion Program
    • CalAgTour.org directory
    • NAFDMA Advanced Learning Retreat
    • Hayride Safety
    • Useful Resources
  • May 2015
    • CA agritourism maps
    • Agritourism Intensive classes
    • Report from Statewide Agritourism Summit
    • 2016 Small Farm Conference
    • CalAgTour.org directory
    • Cottage Food workshop
    • Sonoma County Farm Trails
    • Local partners for agritourism
    • Useful resources
    • Funding opportunity
  • February 2015
    • Statewide Agritourism Summit
    • CA Small Farm Conference
    • California agritourism study
    • CalAgTour.org directory
    • Useful agritourism resources
  • December 2014
    • Statewide Agritouirsm Summit
    • California Small Farm Conference
    • Some December fun
    • CalAgTour.org directory
    • Useful resources
  • October 2014
    • Place-Based Innovation Study
    • California Small Farm Conference 2015
    • California Counties Changing the Rules
    • An idea: Crop Signs
    • CalAgTour.org directory
    • Some useful resources
    • A few funding opportunities
  • June 2014
    • Building a Farm Trail project
    • Agritourism Intensive classes follow-up
    • CalAgTour.org directory
    • San Diego farmers needed
    • Farm festivals
    • Useful resources
    • Funding opportunities
  • January 2014
    • Stories from "Agritourism Intensive"
    • "Discover California Farms" in Santa Barbara
    • CalAgTour.org directory & event calendar
    • State Legislative Hearing on agritourism
    • Yuba Co. regulatory changes & workshop
    • California Small Farm Conference 2014
    • Coming up soon...
    • A few funding opportunities
  • October 2013
    • Agritourism INtensive Classes start soon
    • CalAgTour.org directory & event calendar
    • Starting a Farm Trail Project
    • Discover California Farms...at the fairs
    • California Small Farm Conference
    • Comment NOW on FSMA
    • Coming up soon...
    • Funding Opportunities
  • July 2013
  • October 2012
  • August 2012
  • May 2012
  • January 2012
    • Statewide agritourism summit report
    • County regulations update
    • Sonoma Marin Cheese Trail
    • CalAgTour.org
    • Facebook
    • Customer service survey
    • California Small Farm Conference 2012
    • Other conferences and workshops
  • September 2011
    • Statewide summit
    • Fresno County & Glenn County agritourism classes
    • Online course
    • California Agricultural Almanac
    • CalAgTour.org
    • Facebook
    • Other great resources
  • July 2011
    • New agritourism manual
    • Online course
    • Statewide workshop
    • Facebook
    • CalAgTour.org
    • USDA Funding
    • "Growing Agritourism" wrap-up
    • Insurance advice
    • Lake County spotlight
    • Dinuba farm stays
    • Feather Down Farm Days
    • Other great resources
  • May 2011
    • "Growing Agritourism" Central Coast workshop
    • Regional gatherings
    • CalAgTour.org directory
    • Facebook
    • Tour partners
    • Insurance survey
  • April 2011
    • Our new Facebook page!
    • Extension Online agritourism class
    • New farm trails groups organizing
    • Tag team tour tip
    • "Growing Agritourism" workshop updates
    • The corn maze financed the farm
    • Butte County innovative zoning solutions
    • Indiana limited liability law
    • Farm stays get new help
    • CalAgTour.org directory and event listings
  • November 2010
    • "Growing Agritourism" workshopsli>
    • Funding opportunities
    • Using social media
    • California Small Farm Conference 2011
  • July 2010
    • All-new CalAgTour.org event calendarli>
    • Help plan workshops
    • Delta agritourism group
    • Talk, taste and tour
    • "Farm stay" without the stay
    • I just play one on TV
    • USDA funding
    • Real Time Farms
  • May 2010
    • All-new www.CalAgTour.org
    • Upcoming workshops
    • Geotourism map
    • Farm field trip guide
    • U-pick success
    • Online tour booking
    • Putting on a feast
    • Mariposa County zoning update
    • Sierra Valley Passion for the Land
  • March 2010
    • Small Farm Program update
    • Spring tour sampler
    • Festivals flourishing
    • Get ready for October
    • Merced County organizes
    • Funding opportunities
    • Educational events
    • Small Farm Conference report
    • Cultural and Heritage Tourism Symposium report
  • January 2010
    • Small Farm Program Update
    • Potter Valley rodeo fundraising
    • Bring on the bus tour!
    • Garden Theater Tours
    • Delta agritourism planning
    • County news
    • CDFA funding available
    • Join CalAgTour.org
    • California Small Farm Conference
    • Upcoming events
    • Pedro Ilic awards
  • December 2009
    • Create a blossom trail
    • Christmas tree association
    • New insurance options
    • Niche farming workshops
    • Travel outlook improving
    • Join CalAgTour.org
    • California Small Farm Conference
    • Pedro Ilic awards
    • NAFDMA Convention
  • October 2009
    • UC closes Small Farm Program
    • USDA Funding available
    • Corn maze in Dixon
    • Pumpkin patch ideas
    • Hoes Down Harvest Festival
    • Limited liability for agritourism?
    • No riders!
    • Join CalAgTour.org
    • Join the agritourism listserv
    • 2010 Small Farm Conference
  • September 2009
    • Join the conversation
    • Farm Tours for profit?
    • New agritourism groups organizing
    • Tuolumne farm & ranch tour
    • Pie Ranch barn dance
    • County plans and regulations online
    • Funding available
    • Upcoming events
    • Join CalAgTour.org
    • One-minute survey
  • July 2009
    • Join CalAgTour.org
    • Agritourism survey results
    • Historic Humboldt barns
    • New state farmstand rules
    • Ag Adventures replaces maps with cards
    • Can they find you with GPS?
    • County agritourism regulations online
  •