from the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
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Agritourism plays a critical role in rural economies, supporting farm viability and offering diverse income streams for agricultural producers. In a recent JAFSCD article, Insights and oversights: Behind the data on agritourism and direct sales in the United States, the authors emphasize the importance of accurate data collection in this sector. The paper highlights significant inconsistencies in the way agritourism and direct sales are defined and measured in the U.S., resulting in potential misrepresentations that could influence policy and support mechanisms. The authors advocate for more comprehensive data to better inform the future of agritourism development and rural entrepreneurship. Corresponding author Chadley R. Hollas can be contacted at crhollas@gmail.com.
KEY FINDINGS
The study reveals that current definitions of agritourism and direct sales used in U.S. data collection are inconsistent, leading to potential misinterpretations in research and policy.
There are significant gaps in how agritourism activities, such as pick-your-own operations and hunting, are captured in the USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, leading to a misunderstanding of the sector's full economic impact.
The research highlights how these data inconsistencies vary by region, potentially skewing perceptions of agritourism's role in different parts of the country, with examples from Texas and Vermont illustrating these differences.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH
The authors recommend revising the questions in the USDA NASS Census of Agriculture to include more comprehensive questions that capture the full scope of agritourism activities, such as pick-your-own operations and farm stays, to better reflect the sector's economic contributions. Additionally, policies and support mechanisms should be tailored to reflect the diverse ways agritourism manifests in different regions, recognizing the unique characteristics and needs of each area. The authors also encourage fostering partnerships between researchers, policymakers, and agritourism operators to develop data-driven strategies that enhance rural development and farm viability. Lastly, expanding targeted educational programs for agritourism operators is crucial, focusing on best practices for leveraging their unique offerings and navigating regulatory environments. SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS
Hunting is agritourism, but pick-your-own blueberries isn’t? Discover how inconsistencies in agritourism data may lead to misguided policy and practice in the U.S., and why researchers are calling for better data to support rural communities and farm viability. #agritourism #data #agcensus #USDA_NASS #econdevelopment #rural Read the @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2024.134.005
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Photo above: Figure 4 from the article illustrates U-pick, a popular direct sales activity in Vermont. Photo courtesy of Last Resort Farm in Monkton, Vermont.
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10th Annual Rich Earth Summit November 12–14, 2024
Hybrid: Virtual (Zoom) & In-Person (Brattleboro, Vermont, USA)
The Rich Earth Summit, hosted by Rich Earth Institute, is a global event dedicated to advancing urine reclamation to create sustainable and just nutrient cycles. This gathering brings together researchers, practitioners, and advocates to share knowledge and foster collaboration.
Join us at the 10th annual Summit, November 12–14, 2024 — a golden opportunity to explore the transformative power of peecycling. Together, we can pee the change! |
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