When people first think of Colorado, they might picture the majestic Rocky Mountains and wintertime fun on skis and snowboards. However, you might be surprised to know that the foundation of the state is agriculture.
What is agritourism? Agritourism covers a wide variety of recreational, educational and other leisure activities and services, provided by farmers and ranchers and experienced by consumers who value the activity or service they receive and seek it out. Agritourism may be defined as activities, events and services related to agriculture that take place on or off the farm or ranch, and that connect consumers with the heritage, natural resource or culinary experience they value. There are three general classifications of agritourism activities: on-farm/ranch, food-based, and heritage activities.
We encourage visitors and Coloradans to experience the state's agricultural heritage by visiting agritourism events and activities. The last USDA Ag Census (2017) indicated that 1,056 Colorado farms offered agritourism and recreational services, totaling nearly $64 million in farm income.
If you are looking to diversify your operation by including agritourism activities on your farm or ranch, visit our Agritourism Resources section below for helpful information and a list of workshops across the state.*This information is provided as a service. A listing in the agritourism section does not constitute an endorsement by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Resources
Huerfano County Agritourism Workshop Presentations (from June 21, 2019)
- Growing an Agritourism Business and Destination
- Promoting Agritourism Weaving it all Together
- Agritourism and Business Liability
Agritourism Workshop Materials
These presentations have been offered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Colorado State University Extension at workshops around Colorado. If you are interested in bringing an agritourism workshop to your area, please contact markets.
Agritourism 101 (webinar recording from February 1, 2017)
- Introduction
- Planning for Agritourism: Agritourism Assessment
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- What About Agritourism?
- The Time for Agritourism is Now! (From the 2010 San Luis Valley Tourism Conference)
- Agritourism Resource Assessment
- Engaging Your Family & Community
- Business Planning
- Marketing Agritourism
- Evolving Your Business
- Risk Management
- Regulations
- Safety Considerations
- Resources
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An Integrated Look at in the Western US (agritourism facts and resources)
List your agritourism activities on Colorado MarketMaker for FREE!
www.cofarmtomarket.com- This site was developed to familiarize Colorado food producers and food product manufacturers with federal, state and local food licensing regulations and to help ensure that the path food travels from farm to fork is safe.
Colorado Agritourism Association
- Related Links
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Colorado Agritourism Association
Colorado Tourism Office Destination Development Committee
Colorado Tourism Office CRAFT Toolkits
Navigate the Road From Farm to Market
National Agricultural Law Center
Agricultural Marketing Resource Center
Place Based Innovation: An Integrated Look at Agritourism in the Western US
Signage-Tourist Oriented Directional Sign (TODS) and LOGO program