Agritourism Safety Fact Sheet

It is the responsibility of the agritourism professional to keep his agritourism operation safe. Recent headlines“Agritourism Growth Sparks Concerns over Safety, Liability,” appearing around the country on August 16, 2015 has put agritourism in the spotlight. The article lists recent accidents where the agritourism professional was found at fault for not protecting visitors.

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After learning of the accidents, Marsha Salzwedel, an agritourism safety specialist with the National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety in Marshfield, Wisconsin said  “The majority of these incidents if not all of them are pretty much preventable."

To assist agritourism operators, the LSU AgCenter has compiled a fact sheet sharing safety practices. Click here to download.

Women Who Grow Food - Women Who Buy Food

Dean Ihla, tourism development manager in North Dakota and a fellow member of NAPA, shared this post of a new move in his state to link women producers with  women consumers.

 “CommonGround North Dakota”     https://www.facebook.com/CommonGroundNorthDakota is a 

 grassroots group that wants to start a conversation between women who grow food, and the women who buy it. 

 Here’s a video of their “banquet in the field” event held last year:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx8Q4FcvY4k

Burden Center in Baton Rouge Offering Agritourism Events for the Fall

TheBurden Museum & Gardens, located at 4560 Essen Lane, just off Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge.

 includes the LSU Rural Life Museum, the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens and Windrush Gardens.

They have lots planned for the fall. See below.

Harvest Days at the Rural Life Museum on Sept. 26-27 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Living history demonstrations will interpret activities that took place on Louisiana farms and plantations during harvest time in the 1800s. Activities will include cooking, soap making, boat building, hands-on activities for the kids and wagon rides. Regular admission.

Corn Maze Festival at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. features a farm animal petting zoo, pumpkin painting, hay mountain climb, corn maze, hayride, giant slingshot and plenty of concessions to enjoy. Visitors may purchase corn dogs, popcorn and drinks from Burden Horticulture Society volunteers. Admission $10 per person, including concession tickets; children 3 and under free. Pumpkins for painting will be on sale for $5.

Corn Maze Saturdays at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens, Oct 10, 17 and 24, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. feature hay mountain climb, corn maze, hayride, giant slingshot and plenty of concessions to enjoy. Visitors may purchase corn dogs, popcorn and drinks from Burden Horticulture Society volunteers. Admission $7 per person, including concession tickets; children 3 and under free.

Wine and Roses in the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens, Oct. 14. Enjoy an elegant evening of dining under the stars and among 2,000 roses with hors d’oeuvres by Chef Eric Arceneaux of The City Club and dinner by Chef Don Bergeron. Cocktails 6-7 p.m. with music in The Pavilion; dinner 7-9 p.m. in the Rose Garden. Admission $125 per person.  Click here for more.

Becoming a Certified Agritourism Business in Louisiana

Starting an Agritourism Business

Agritourism  is a business venture located on a working farm, ranch, or agricultural enterprise that provides an “experience” for visitors while generating supplemental income for the owner. Pay close attention to the fact that it is a business venture and those contemplating a new business should approach agritourism from the business side.

To learn more about the opportunities click here.

12 Steps to a Successful Agritourism Business

Most agritourism businesses are diversifications of existing businesses. If someone has a farm, he or she may open the farm for educational field trips for children. The farm may have a pumpkin patch, a U-pick operation or a Christmas tree plantation. Landowners with a pine plantation may consider building a cabin in the woods for overnight stays that include horseback riding or fishing in a pond.

To learn more click here.