Agritourism Definition

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