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Agritourism

Agritourism
Farms are inviting visitors to tour a vineyard, enjoy hayrides, buy their produce, and eat ice cream made from the local dairy’s milk. In Virginia, agritourism is defined as any activity carried out on a farm or ranch that allows members of the general public, for recreational, entertainment, or educational purposes, to view or enjoy rural activities, including farming, wineries, ranching, historical, cultural, harvest-your-own activities, or natural activities and attractions. For most people, agricultural tourism refers to a visit to a working farm or any agricultural, horticultural, or agribusiness operation in order to enjoy, be educated, or become actively involved in the activities of the farm or operation – getting a true farm experience.

Agritourism is recreation at its finest! Visitors to local farms might tour a vineyard, explore winemaking, or discuss the process of transforming grapes into high-quality Virginia wines.

Younger guests, as well as many adults, may discover that goats are not dogs with horns, donkeys are different than horses, and milk does not actually originate in a plastic container in the grocery store.

The tour of farm fields has enabled many people to realize that peanuts grow underground and cotton grows on a plant and not in a bale.

People are hunting in the deer-filled forests and fishing in well-stocked ponds. Pumpkins, apples, cherries, and other produce are being picked. Corn mazes are being navigated. Hayrides, animal barnyard visits, and ice cream treats made from the local dairy’s milk are being added to the top of the “fun-to-do” list of many Virginians.

 

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Livvy Preisser
livvy16@vt.edu