Farmers have a new crop — agri-tourism

New Jersey's nickname, "The Garden State," stems from its long and successful history of farming. While farm productivity is usually measured in bushels of fruit and vegetables, bales of hay, sheaves of grain and gallons of milk, New Jersey farmers have been steadily building an interesting new income source — "agri-tourism."

New Jersey farms are attracting visitors with pickyour own fruits and vegetables, hayrides, petting zoos, onsite bakeries, dairy tours, be e -ke eping demonstra- tions, icecream stands, flower planting, cornfield mazes, pony rides, cider pressing, pumpkin picking and decorating, class trips, festivals, cut-your-own Christmas trees, birthday parties, holiday themed attractions, country stores, wineries and more!

A New Jersey Department of Agriculture study estimated that agri-tourism generated $57.5 million in 2006, with an average agri-tourism income of $27,093 per farm. For New Jersey farmers, the turn to agritourism is, in part, for survival. As it gets harder to make ends meet through traditional agriculture, farmers are getting creative with new revenue streams. According to the agriculture department study, one in every five New Jersey farms — a total of more than 2,100 — offered some form of agri-tourism in 2006. And more than a third of those 2,100 farms derived 100 percent of their income through agri-tourism!

Several farms now offer weeklong summer day camps where kids can pick berries, care for farm animals, ride ponies, plant crops and learn about the history of farming. Others offer adult classes in cheese making, creating flower-filled planters and winemaking. Many stage festivals to attract visitors.

Like "traditional" tourism, agri-tourism also bears economic fruit for the surrounding community. The Department of Agriculture estimates that for every dollar spent at agritourism attractions, another 58 cents is spent on restaurants, insurance, gasoline and more — to the tune of $33.3 million in 2006.

Overall, agri-tourism and related revenues is a small crop in the vast field of New Jersey's $37 billion tourism industry. However, there is great potential

for growth since New Jersey farms are close to cities and suburbs. And this year, as high gas prices put a crimp on budgets, many families are looking for fun outdoor activities close to home.

Take a look at the Department of Agriculture's "Visit NJ Farms" Web site at www.visitnjfarms.org. It's a central hub for information on agritourism events and activities. The site is co-sponsored by the Food Policy Institute, Rutgers Cook College and the N.J. Agricultural Experiment Station of Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension. You can use the Web site to pick a place that's close by, or find a farm farther afield that offers something unusual. There's even a section on special events. Farmers can register their agri-tourism activities directly through the site.

So spend a fun day with friends or family down on the farm, and support our local farmers!

And I hope you'll contact me at info@njconservation.org, or visit NJCF's Web site at www.njconservation.org, for more information about conserving New Jersey's precious land and natural resources.
Michele S. Byers
Executive Director
New Jersey Conservation
Foundation