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RESULTS OF THE RUTGERS AGRITOURISM CONFERENCES

Extension Education

Michelle Infante-Casella
Agricultural Agent/Professor
RUTGERS NEW JERSEY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
Clarksboro

Abstract

\r\n    The Rutgers Agritourism Working Group has discovered that in today’s economy their clients have had to shift their efforts from growing for the wholesale market to the direct sale of fresh and value-added products to local residents and visitors. The team’s research has shown that 1 out of every 5 New Jersey farms is now engaged in agritourism, generating an estimated $57.5 million in annual revenue statewide. Along with these changes come new needs: the growers need educational assistance on topics such the “experience economy”, farm visitor safety, using social media and other agritourism topics related to this new customer-producer dynamic. The team secured $40,000 from the U.S.D.A. Specialty Crop Block Grants in collaboration with New Jersey Farm Bureau (NJFB). Using these funds, the team designed and hosted the first Rutgers Agritourism Conference. The conference consisted of a one day conference repeated in three locations on three separate days. The target audiences were livestock operators and crop producers currently involved in agritourism, or considering agritourism on their farm. Attendance at the three conferences totaled 211 farmers and policy-makers/enforcers. Comments from attendees reflect the value they derived from the conference, including statements like: “The program was worth more than $100” (a modest $10 registration fee was charged)! “This program far exceeded my expectations!” “The program was well thought out, hit many subjects, and was good for people starting out in agritourism and for those of us who have done this for years.”

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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Michelle Infante-Casella, W. Bamka, J. Carleo, S. Colucci, P. Furey, N. Goger, S. J. Komar, L. Marxen, M. Melendez, J. Rabin, S. Rozier Rich, B. Schilling
  1. Infante-Casella, M. Agricultural Agent, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08312
  2. Bamka, W. Agricultural Agent, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08060
  3. Carleo, J. Agricultural Agent, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08210
  4. Colucci, S. Area Specialized Agent, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, North Carolina, 28792
  5. Furey, P. Executive Director, New Jersey Farm Bureau, New Jersey, 08608
  6. Goger, N. Research Associate, New Jersey Farm Bureau, New Jersey, 08608
  7. Komar, S. Agricultural Agent, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 07860
  8. Marxen, L. Research Analyst, Rutgers University, New Jersey, 08901
  9. Melendez, M. Program Coordinator, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08648
  10. Rabin, J. Associate Director, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08901
  11. Rozier Rich, S. Extension Specialist, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, 27695
  12. Schilling, B. Extension Specialist, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08901