Agritourism Explained

I just read a great article from the newsfeed entitled, "Beyond the Buzzword: Agritourism Explained," by Peter Greenburg. In this article he explains the diversity of operations that are considered agritourism.

If you live in Louisiana our definition is simply: agritourism is a business venture located on a working farm, ranch, or other commercial agricultural, horticultural, or forestry operation that provides an “experience” for  visitors while generating supplemental income for the owner.

Louisiana also has an agritourism limited liability law which has a similar definition and lists the activitites that can be covered under the law.

For more information on how to start an agritourism business go to: www.lsuagcenter.com/agritourism

  

Add Flowers and Roses for Eye Appeal to Entrances

Entrances to agritourism operations should be welcoming. Consider adding flowers and roses  for eye appeal.  If you decide on roses, it's time to get those roses planted accoridng to Dr. Dan Gill, horticulturist with the LSU AgCenter.  He provides the  how-to's in a recent article. Click here to read.

The Louisiana Agritourism Connection January 2016

The latest edition of The Louisiana Agritourism Connection  is now available online. Click to read. Topics covered in this newsletter highlight some of our recently certified agritourism operations and a new resource to enable landowners to host camping.

Start a Facebook Page to Tell Your Agriculture Story

I'm always surfing to help my readers with new ideas  they can use to grow their agritourism venues. Today, I've found an excellent resource by Kristen Stauffer, a wife, mother, dairy farmer, blogger and picture taker whose 2013 article entitled, "My Top 10 Helpful Hints to Start a Farm Page!" encourages farmers to share life on the farm.

Her article is well written with lots of great information on starting a Facebook page to promote your agricultural venue.  If you have a Facebook page read the article and see if you need to make revisions to your existing page.  If you don't have a page, this article will inspire you to create one. Click here for the link.

2016 Forestry Forum in West Monroe, January 15th

2016 FORESTRY FORUM

Presented with Ag Expo

Friday, January 15, 2016

8 a.m.-12 p.m.

West Monroe Convention Center

901 Ridge Ave.

West Monroe, LA 71291

REGISTRATION 8:00 – 8:30 a.m.

Program begins at 8:30 a.m.

8:25am             Welcome – Luke Stamper, Extension Associate, LSU AgCenter, Catahoula Parish

8:30am             2016 Forestry Market Outlook – Dr. Shaun Tanger, Agriculture Economics, LSU AgCenter

9:00am             Benefits of a Consulting Forester – Steve Templin, Consulting Forester, Templin Forestry LLC

9:30am             Tax Saving Topics for Timberland Owners – Paul D. Spillers, Board Certified Tax Attorney

10:10am           BREAK

10:25am           Drax Biomass – Russell L. Hatcher, Certified Forester, Fiber Procurement Manager, Morehouse Bioenergy, LLC

10:55am           UAV’s for Forest Applications – Wesley Palmer, GIS Program Coordinator, School of Forestry, Louisiana Tech University

11:30am           Buck Vandersteen, Director of Louisiana Forestry Association

11:45am           Recreational Enterprise Potential on your Land - Daryl Jones, Natural Resource Enterprises Program Coordinator, MSU Extension Service & Dora Ann Hatch, Agritourism Coordinator, LSU AgCenter

12:00pm           ADJOURN

The Northeast Forestry Forum qualifies for 4 CLE credit hours for the Louisiana Logging Council.

The Northeast Forestry Forum qualifies for CFE contact hours for the Society of American Foresters.

For Registration Details Please Call:

            Catahoula Parish Extension Office at 318-744-5442 or

Luke Stamper at 318-805-8819 or by email at lstamper@agcenter.lsu.edu

Agritourism Newsletter Available Online

The Louisiana Agritourism Connection Newsletter for January, 2016 is now available online. Click here.

Topics covered in this newsletter highlight some of our certified agritourism operations and a new resource to enable landowners to host camping called HipCamp.

To read more newsletters or to learn more about agritourism, click here. 

Land Sharing Through HipCamps

The Hipcamp's Land Share Program orginally started in California and has now expanded throughout the U.S.This land share program allows private landowners the ability to earn money by opening their property to people looking to connect with nature through unique camping experiences.

Recently, one of our Louisiana Certified Agritourism Operations, shared information on Hipcamp with me. I thought it might be of interest to those agritourism operators who have had difficulty in locating insurance for their venues.

Hipcamp's push is to get people outdoors and they list private and public places on their website. Click here to learn more.