media release
February
13, 2012
Contact: Wendy White, (303) 239-4119, Wendy.White@ag.state.co.us
LAKEWOOD, Colo.
– From visiting a farmers’ market or winery to spending a week working cattle
on a ranch or taking a farm tour, agritourism activities are popping up across
the state. To help farmers and ranchers learn more about agritourism, a
workshop is scheduled for March 3, 2012, in Colorado Springs, Colo.
“Agritourism is a growing segment of the agriculture
industry in Colorado and across the nation,” said Wendy White, marketing
specialist at the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “This workshop is an
opportunity for producers to learn about agritourism and see if it is a viable
concept for their operation.”
The last United States Department of Agriculture Ag
Census (2007) indicated that 679 Colorado farms offered agritourism and
recreational services, totaling nearly $33 million in farm income.
“Producers
in El Paso County and across the state are looking at agritourism as a way to
diversify,” said Madeline Newell, District Manager for the El Paso County Conservation
District. “Our goal is to help consumers experience Colorado agriculture and
connect them with producers.”
The
full-day workshop is at the El Paso
County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
in Colorado Springs. The registration fee is $20 per person, which
includes lunch and resource materials. The registration
deadline is February 29. The workshop features sessions on liability, marketing,
price development, available resources, and a panel discussion with agritourism
business owners.
The workshop is sponsored by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado
State University, Colorado Tourism Office and the El Paso County Conservation
District. For more information or to
register, visit www.coloradoagritourism.com.
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