Old MacDonald Had a Farm … and Ventured into Tourism!
Posted on | March 15, 2010 | 2 Comments
What do a farmsite B&B, a greenhouse, and a rural driving tour all have in common? They are all forms of agri-tourism … and they all exist within my region.
They were also in attendance at a unique workshop hosted by Canadian Badlands on developing agri-tourism on farm or ranch land. Ag tourism is nothing new, of course, operations such as berry U-Picks or corn mazes have existed for ages.
But with the number of farms declining across North America and with farm income for family farmers stagnating, many of them are forced to diversify their operations with nonagricultural activities just to survive. And tourism is one way to do just that.
Stan Meador of X Bar Ranch Nature Retreat in Eldorado, Texas (that’s El-door-RAY-do, not El-door-RAW-do) was on hand to share his experiences in establishing a successful, sustainable ag tourism business on his family’s ranch land.
Differentiation, he emphasized, was the key.
“People are increasingly looking for tourism niche products,” Stan shared, “and nature, culture, and heritage will set you apart.”
“Think … what is marketable that has been lost long ago?”
His ranch, in fact, demonstrates how one piece of property (which has been in his family for generations) can be profitably utilized for different, yet complimentary, activities.
Stan’s brother, for instance, still carries on the ranching family tradition while Stan has focused on developing accommodation, trails, and activity areas for visitors.
It’s the best of both worlds; the original farm business can still be carried out, while a sustainable tourism business also makes valuable use of the land.
Not that it’s been easy, Stan cautions. “You need to ask the tough questions, it’s more than the mechanics [of running the business] – it’s also about your lifestyle. What will you gain or give up? And are you willing to do that to make it work?”
While he grins and admits his business does not make tons of money or is a highly sought-after glitzy destination, he proudly states he’s been in business for 14 years, has greatly enhanced the value of his land, has involved other family members in its operation, and has made a modest living doing something he enjoys that also allows him the flexibility to pursue other interests.
And that, in his mind, has made his ag-tourism venture a success.
***
Could ag-tourism be viable option for you? Keep in mind it is still a business, and requires planning and research before spending precious time and money on a new venture. The Government of Alberta, Agriculture and Rural Development has good, basic information, worksheets, links, research and more available for FREE online in their ‘Ag Tourism’ section. Click here to access those resources.
Photo Source: Stan Meador, X Bar Ranch
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Tags: ag tourism > agri tourism > farm > rural > rurban > Stan Meador > Tourism > X Bar Ranch
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March 15th, 2010 @ 9:23 am
Nice post! Lots of struggling farmers are resisting this option because they don’t realize that nothing needs to change. People interested in ag-tourism WANT to get dirty! They want to experience farm life from the inside – especially now with the huge “local food” movement spreading across the US.
Your description of a successful operation, along with a picture that shows that you’re not talking about opening a Hilton equivalent is a good introduction for farmers looking for more info.
March 15th, 2010 @ 10:18 am
@ Joanne – Thanks! Everyone has to start from somewhere – and that improvements are usually made little-by-little, over time. And there are many organizations and resources out there to assist efforts, you don’t have to try and go it alone!