High-speed internet linked to more farms offering agritourism

June 25, 2024

The availability and adoption of high-speed broadband appears to boost the number of farms offering agritourism activities, according to a new study led by NERCRD researchers. Their findings, the researchers said, bolster the argument for expanding broadband availability in support of farm operators who want to benefit from the growing consumer interest in on-farm experiences.

New data briefs document recent changes in U.S. agritourism and direct-to-consumer sales sectors

June 4, 2024

Researchers from the University of Maine and Penn State have released a set of comprehensive data briefs that shed light on two small but important sectors of U.S. agriculture — agritourism and direct-to-consumer sales — utilizing data from the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The briefs, published by the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, provide valuable insights into the current status of these sectors and also document recent trends, both nationally and for each state.

Agritourism Research and Extension Collaborative honored with USDA NIFA National Partnership Award

May 22, 2024

Congratulations to members of the Agritourism Research and Extension Collaborative, who were recognized with a 2023 USDA NIFA Partnership Award for their multi-state work advancing agritourism! The award honors the collective efforts of a network of individuals that spans more than a dozen states at 11 Land-Grant Universities, and two community partner organizations who collaborated on several projects to advance agritourism nationally.

New Publication from National Extension Tourism Network Highlights Opportunities for Extension in Outdoor Recreation Economies

April 25, 2024

Outdoor Recreation is a growing sector of the U.S. economy, and building the recreation economy in the U.S. has been identified as one of the USDA’s top priorities . Recreation economies are intertwined with multiple community domains, and therefore pose an opportunity for the Cooperative Extension System, which is uniquely positioned to assist communities with […]

Inaugural Maryland Agritourism Conference reflects increasing interest in agritourism

December 15, 2023

The first Maryland Agritourism Conference drew strong attendance from across the state and beyond, and included producers, non-profits, Extension professionals, students, and government officials including Maryland’s Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks, who delivered a keynote.

Upcoming Event

National Extension Agritourism Working Group Meeting

January 10, 2024 at 2pm ET: Join the Agritourism Working Group of the National Extension Tourism Network (NET) for a facilitated discussion about sharing resources and building partnerships. This virtual gathering is an important step for developing a national network of agritourism service providers and a central location for housing the latest research and best resources.

2023 NET Conference upholds tradition of seeding new connections and collaborations

December 11, 2023

More than 80 members of the National Extension Tourism network (NET) gathered in Milwaukee, WI, in September for four days of networking, learning, and experiencing greater Milwaukee. NERCRD staff provide support to the conference planning team, and participated in several presentations and workshops.