A G R I T O U R I S M

Thinking about adding a new income stream to your farming operation?

Whether it’s a you-pick strawberry patch, a farmstay or educational tours, you’ll want to attend this workshop first.

Is there a Market? What are the Regulations? What are the Liability Concerns? Where To Start?

Renewing the Countryside and the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota are presenting two “getting started” workshops this winter. We will have presentations and information on tourism trends, licensing, ordinances, insurance and marketing.

Attendees will complete a self assessment, identify potential scenarios and begin to develop a business plan. As part of the project, Renewing the Countryside and other consultants will offer limited on-going technical assistance in developing feasibility, business and marketing plans. You will develop a plan you can implement to start your new enterprise

Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota Annual Conference

February 19, 2011
Gorecki Center
College of St. Benedict
8:00am - 4:00pm

Agritourism Workshop Agenda

8:00 - 8:45am        Introductions - What are RTC and SFA (Brett Olson - Renewing the Countryside, and John Mesko - Sustainable Farming Association)

                -Overview of Agritourism Development Course
                -Value Statement/Value Proposition
                -Brainstorming/Visioning

8:45 - 10:15 Break For Keynote Address with Woody Tasch

10:15 - 11:00am    Trends in Minnesota Tourism (Kent Gustafson - UofM Tourism Center)
                -Tourism Trends
                -Consumer Interest in Regional Travel
                -Slow Economy Effect – staycations

11:00am - 12:00pm    Regulations Panel (Wendy Spanier - MN Dept Health, Doris Ruley - MN Dept Ag, and Becky Von Holdt - Stearns County Environmental Services)
                -MN Dept. of Health (food and lodging licensing, inspections)
                -MN Dept. of Agriculture (food safety, licensing, certification, inspections)
                -County Planning and Zoning (CUP, zoning ordinances, variation between counties)
                -15min Q&A

12:00-12:45pm    Lunch

12:45-1:45pm        Liability Considerations (Jeff Kitterman - MN National Agency)
                -Coverage Options
                -Hazard Identification and Reduction
                -Status of Visitors
                -40min Presentation, 20min Q&A

1:45-2:45pm        Designing and Marketing the Customer Experience (Brett Olson)
                -Designing from the Customer Perspective
                -Choosing Amenities and Offerings
                -Options for Attracting Clientele

2:45 - 3:00pm        Break – 15 minutes

3:00 - 3:45pm        Finances, Resources and Capital Management (John Mesko)

3:45 - 5:00pm    Scenario Building, Business Planning, Feasibility Analysis (Brett Olson)
                -Explanation of Next Steps

CONTACT INFO:

Brett Olson, Renewing the Countryside - 612.910.7601

Jonathan Beutler, Renewing the Countryside - 612.871.1541

www.renewingthecountryside.org

www.greenroutes.org

This project is made possible by a grant from North Central Risk Management Education Center