News Releases

Two hundred ten agritourism operators have been listed on the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Pick Tennessee Products Web site: http://picktnproducts.org/agritourism. The information is also linked to the state's Department of Tourism's Web site at http://www.tnvacation.com/explore.

The inventory was the first phase in the Tennessee Agritourism Initiative, a cooperative effort of the Tennessee Departments of Agriculture, Tourist Development and Economic and Community Development, the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation. The initiative was jump-started with a $100,000 grant from the USDA Rural Development Agency.

The Tennessee Agritourism Initiative defines agritourism as an activity, enterprise or business that combines primary elements and characteristics of Tennessee agriculture and tourism and provides an experience for visitors that stimulates economic activity and impacts both farm and community income.

The UT Center for Profitable Agriculture inventoried existing agritourism operations during the summer and fall of 2003. During a follow-up telephone interview, information on 210 agritourism operators was gathered to help initiative partners learn more about the Tennessee agritourism industry.

Attractions listed include agriculture-related museums, agriculture-related festivals and fairs, century farms, corn-maze enterprises, farmers markets, on-farm tours, on-farm retail markets, on-farm vacations, on-farm festivals and fairs, on-farm petting zoos, on-farm fee-fishing, on-farm horseback riding, on-farm bed and breakfasts, pick-your-own farms and wineries.

UT Marketing Specialist Megan Bruch said, "The cooperation of Extension agents and specialists, agricultural producer groups, tourism organizations and media was outstanding. Their assistance in identifying existing agritourism enterprises was vital to the success of the inventory."

Agritourism operations not currently listed at the site can submit their information by calling the Department of Agriculture Division of Marketing at (615) 837-5160 or by e-mailing laura.fortune@state.tn.us.

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Contacts:

Megan Bruch, 931-486-2777
Patricia McDaniels, 865-974-7141