Resource Guide
Agritourism in Arkansas: A Resource Guide for Farmers and Landowners was developed in collaboration with several partners to help you to determine whether agritourism is right for you.
Special Programs
Agritourism in Arkansas
Agritourism is any activity, enterprise or business combining elements of agriculture and tourism. Check out the video below to see how our agents helped an Arkansas producer transform a corn field into a maze to attract visitors.
What are the options for converting my farm to an agritourism destination?
Frequently, agritourism provides educational or recreational experiences. It offers visitors something to see, something to do or something to buy.
The possibilities are limitless, but some common examples include:
- pumpkin patches
- Christmas tree farms
- wineries
- fee hunting and fishing
- agricultural festivals
and many others.
Arkansas Agritourism Association
The Arkansas Agritourism Association was organized by a group of Arkansas agritourism operators who began meeting in 2017 to explore the possibility of forming a statewide association. Technical assistance was provided by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and the Arkansas Agriculture Department.
Association Objectives
- Work collaboratively to address issues and challenges facing the agritourism industry.
- Provide education for agritourism operators and new individuals and entities coming into the industry.
- Facilitate networking opportunities among agritourism operators, resource providers, and potential markets.
- Identify market opportunities and support market research.
- Support marketing efforts and promote the growth of agritourism throughout the state of Arkansas.
Learn more on the Association's Facebook page and website or read their bylaws. Join the Arkansas Agritourism Association by completing a membership application.
Why should I start an agritourism business?
For farmers, benefits include the potential to increase income, identify new customers, lose the middle man, build closer linkages to the nonagricultural business community and raise awareness of and appreciation for agricultural production.
Potential benefits to communities include increased tax base, new employment opportunities, educational opportunities for the public, preservation of rural way of life and economic development that can't be outsourced to other countries.
With any business, there are also risks and challenges. The following resources may help you determine whether agritourism is right for you:
Resource Assessment
What are you currently doing that you can build on? What activities are best suited for your land and property? Who can you tap to help with your agritourism activities?
Agritourism Series: Assessing Your Resources
Business Planning
Do you have a plan that includes a description of your business? Have you conducted a market analysis? Do you have a plan for advertising and marketing? Have you developed a financial plan and income projections?
Online resources for creating a business plan
Customer Service
Are you prepared to maintain the appearance of your farm? Do you know what it takes to make visitors feel welcome? Do you have a plan for assessing visitor satisfaction?