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That "Ag-Thing" The 25 September 2003 edition of the Zeitgeist e-Zine I’ve always thought myself to be a pretty visionary guy. But I could never quite get my vision around this whole “ag-tourism” thing. I get heritage. I get birding. I get girlfriends getaways. I get ALL the niches…just not ag.
But not enough for it to be a viable market for most of us. But wait…I wasn’t thinking straight. A few years ago, I had the chance to hang out in Grant County (IN) with CVB exec Karen Lentz. As we toured the destination, I was intrigued by a half-built Holidome (circa 1976) amid the weeds along I-69. She told me that, halfway through construction, the money ran out and the project had been abandoned. As I made my way through the superstructure, moving through hallways and rooms that had no windows or doors, I could imagine myself in a bombed out building. The graffti on the walls that chronicled years of beer bashes and sexual unions made it all the more authentic. You see, the locals had discovered this “attraction” years earlier. “Paintball,” I exclaimed, startling Karen as she came around a corner. “This place would be perfect for a regional Paintball Center!” Unfortunately, liability issues and an ongoing tussle over land rights would block such a move…but, I knew that I was onto something. I just never connected the dots. And then, CNN connected them for me. A recent story on the opportunities in ag-tourism showed me how far removed the pigs ‘n hogs are from what is really selling down on the farm. Paintball. Disc Golf. Real Golf. Dirt Bikes. Corn Mazes. Nudist Resorts. Cooking Classes. Farm Weddings. Even hunting (just not the cows). “You're only limited by your imagination," said Desmond Jolly, an agricultural economist and director of the University of California's Small Farm Center. I guess so. Ag-Tourism? I’ve been thinking too literally. Have you? Bill Wanna comment on this or other topics. E-mail Bill at bg@Zgeist.com |
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Sure,
I see that people who haven’t experienced life on a farm would
have an interest in checking it out. And I get that kids like getting
up close and personal with goats and sheep ‘n stuff. And, like
dude ranches, I guess I can see that a family of four might wanna see
what it’s like getting up at 4:30 in the morning to milk the cows
during their summer vacation.