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Agriculture

Agriculture Photo Competition (Past)

Agritourism

Agritourism Photo Contest

Agritourism Survey

Food Products

Agritourism White Papers

Regional Farmers Market Initiative


Governor's Office of Agriculture Policy
404 Ann St.
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-4627

Kentucky Tourism Cabinet

Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Kentucky Farm Bureau

Commodity Growers Cooperative

Kentucky Pork Products
1110 Hawkins Dr.
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
(270) 737-5665

Kentucky Cattlemen Association & Beef Council

American Dairy Association

U.K. Cooperative Extension Service

Kentucky Poultry Federation
P.O. Box 21829
Lexington, KY 40522
(606) 266-8375

Agritourism

What is Agritourism?

Agritourism is the act of visiting a working farm or any agricultural, horticultural or agri-business operation for the purpose of enjoyment, education or active involvement in the activities of the farm or operation.


Agritourism Legislation HB 654

HB 654 was a bill introduced in the 2002 Legislative Session to establish an agri-tourism interagency position within the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Tourism Development Cabinet to work directly with Farmers involved in Agritourism. This legislation passed during the 2002 Session.

GOALS:

1) To address the insurance and infrastructure needs of the agritourism industry section.
2) To provide new and expanded tourism based economic opportunities or displaced tobacco farmers and farm families including: job development, new markets, networks and product development.
3) To market agricultural tourism in Kentucky, nationally and internationally as a new and unique visitor experience.
4) To provide education and support to farmers and agri-business regarding agri-tourism opportunities, networks and entrepreneurship.
5) To provide capital and business assistance for farmers and agri-business to increase viability, sustainability and growth of agricultural tourism businesses and services.

The first year, a state-wide masterplan for agri-tourism will be developed which addresses the above issues. An agri-tourism website is being developed to aggressively market the many Kentucky agritourism offerings in-state, nationally and internationally. Year two will focus on assisting in developing regional agritourism development plans for each of the nine tourism regions (Western Lake & River, Green River, Cave, Bluegrass, Louisville/Lincoln, Southern Kentucky Lakes and Rivers, Northern Kentucky, Eastern Highlands - North and Eastern Highlands - South). Future initiatives will create new programs to assist the farmers such as:

1) Education Task Force Development Program
2) Agriculture in the Classroom Program
3) Training and Certification Programs
4) Agricultural Tourism Capital Access Program (similar concept to New York's Agri-tourism and Education Capital Access Program)
5) Marketing and Promotions Program
6) and programs addressing insurance issues