In many rural areas, pumpkin-picking, corn-mazing and hayriding across crisp fields define the fall months - by far the busiest season for agritourism businesses. 

A growing number of tourists – largely urban and suburban families with children - are taking the time to explore such local attractions, broadening the potential for agritourism to provide additional income to support family farms … as well as boost local economies.

One trend that’s taken off in many areas is the corn maze.  So much so in my neck of the woods, in fact, that Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development has just released a free Corn Maze Decision Making Tool, discussing types of mazes, value-added products, design recommendations, along with many other critical factors farmers need to consider. 

The Canadian Farm Business Management Council also offers a publication that offers detailed information, tools and resources for those considering agritourism.  Cultivating Agritourism:  Tools and Techniques for Building Success can be purchased here.

As a seasonal venture, corn mazes and other fall farm activities can help diversify and supplement farm income … but only with the right planning, preparation and marketing.

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In Ontario, a rural leadership and capacity-building project is offering communities, agencies and organizations the opportunity to identify and build the skills of local leaders through a series of relevant program and resource tools.

Part of this project asked rural communities to share what makes their communities great … with Harold and Shelley McPhail – the winners of this contest – making a difference through agricultural education, awareness and promotion.

“We have about 3 kilometres of road exposure but it has become a very ‘high impact’ stretch of rural road.

Two years ago, when we grew canola for the first time in our crop rotation, we wondered whether passersby would be able to distinguish canola from the weed mustard.  We decided that we needed to educate ‘Joe Public’ so that the canola was recognized as such.

The idea to educate passersby grew as we realized that perhaps for every person who would ask us what a crop was, there were likely 10’s of thousands who wouldn’t bother to ask, or wouldn’t know who to ask.  So, why not make it easy for all?  We decided to have 4′ x 4′ professionally made signs made to label each crop we were growing in fields with road exposure.”

Click through to find out more about the McPhail’s winning agricultural awareness and educational strategy.

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Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada and provincial and territorial governments want to hear from Canadians and agriculture industry representatives to develop the next agricultural policy framework – Growing Forward 2.

Growing Forward 2 will build on the success of existing programs and leverage the ingenuity of farmers, processors and others in the sector to continue to generate economic growth.  To support the development of this framework, farmers, processors, distributors, manufacturers, retailers and consumers are being engaged to gain insights and to hear what they have to say about the future of the sector.

An online engagement process has been launched.  Comments and feedback may be provided from any location with internet access.  Engagement documents and an online feedback form are available on the Growing Forward 2 website until June 30, 2011.

Visit the website or call 1-800-O-CANADA for more information.

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