Recently, I was in Ontario, Canada conducting ten farm mentorship consultations for the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association. I am pleased to report that they have a great variety of agritourism operators from farms just beginning in agritourism to some that are very sophisticated in their offerings.
For instance, I visited Clovermead Bees & Honey where I had my first “honey tasting” experience. At the Yee Haw Adventure Farm I was treated to the “duck races” and a face-to-face hillbilly adventure. Ernie Muzylowsky, at Apple Land Station showed me his farm train that he uses to haul people to the apple orchard. Anne & Hugh Nauman not only take their products to the local farmer’s market but they also have an on-farm market and were completing a new rope maze to be ready for this fall season. I even flew to the Thunder Bay area of Ontario to visit Sue & Gerry Gammon of Gammondale Farm.
If you would like to visit some of these farms with me you can by taking a look at the two videos that I produced after this trip. You can view the first You Tube Video here or go to the second You Tube Video.
The agritourism industry in Ontario is a well organized group. Thank you Cathy Barolic, Director - Ontario Farm Fresh for inviting me.
Filed under: Agritourism Marketing, Agritourism Today, Agritourism travel | Add new tag, agritourism, Appleland Station, Cathy Bartolic, Clovermead Bees & Honey, Eckert Agrimarketing, fall experiences, family farm, family farms, gammondale farm, Jane Eckert, Nauman's Farm, Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association, Rural Bounty, Yee Haw Adventure Farm|No Comments
Wow! I’m impressed that USA Today recently came out with a list of the TOP 10 Apple Pick Your Farms and that I know three of them. Congrats to Huber Orchard & Winery, Tougas Family Farm and Hollabaugh Brothers Fruit Farm for this special recognition. I sure hope that this article translates into more customers to these local farms as well as to all the great apple pick your own farms here in the U.S.
The key message to the public - local apples are ready and it’s time to go apple picking! Apple season does not last long and it’s easy to miss out on favorite varieties if you wait too long. I encourage everyone to check out the USA Today list or visit Rural Bounty to find apple orchards in your area.
Filed under: Agritourism Marketing, Agritourism travel | apple orchards, apple picking, buy local apples, Hollabaugh Brothers Fruit Farm, Huber Orchard & Winery, local apples, pick your own apples, Rural Bounty, TOP 10 Apple Farms, Tougas Family Farm, USA TODAY|No Comments
Recently, I learned about a new travel trend on the Today Show called “glamping.” In short, it’s glamorous camping. Taking your family or special someone to a luxurious camp, yurt or covered wagon on vacation has now become popular. You can choose the pricey version for up to $2,850 per night or find other locations that might better fit your budget. There is even a Go Glamping website or Glamping Girl site that shows you a lot of vacation choices.
However, my choice for adventuresome travelers wanting a special experience would be to overnight at a farm or ranch. There any many options for overnight vacationers across North America to see the rural countryside, observe the nighttime sky, watch the animals in the fields or the crops being harvested. Check out some choices at Rural Bounty.
If you want to read the full article about “glamping” by Laura Coffey a Today Show.com contributor just go click on her article “Go Glamping! 10 tips for a budget adventure.
Filed under: Agritourism Today, Agritourism travel, Technology | agritourism, Eckert Agrimarketing, family farms, farm lodging, farm loding, farm stays, farm vacations, farmstays, glamping, Glamping Girl, Go Glamping, Jane Eckert, Laura Coffey, MSNBC, Rural Bounty, Today Show|No Comments
It’s not often that farmers (and friends of farmers) can travel together to explore agriculture in another country. Eckert AgriMarketing is pleased to announce a very special travel experience to tour Costa Rica from the farming perspective - January 15-22, 2010.
The Costa Rica Agritour will include stops at the Turrialba Farmers’ Market, coffee plantation, a strawberry packing plant, a banana farm, observe an organic producer and the Don Juan Educational farm and many more locations. Agritourism operators abound in Costa Rica just like they do in North America as shown on Rural Bounty.
Of course, we have also allowed time to explore some of the natural beauty of Costa Rica, including the Poas Volcano National Park, Waterfall Gardens, Ectomermales Hot Springs plus walking in a tropical rain forest. The full tour details and pricing can be viewed online at Eckert AgriMarketing.
A special highlight of the trip includes one day of outdoor adventure. Each traveler can choose from one of five adventure options such as: a boat tour of the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, a Sky Tram & ZIp Line over beautiful valleys, walk the Arsenal Hanging Bridges, raft down the Sarapiqui River or go horseback riding around the Arenal Volcano.
I’ve been told one of the best parts of the Eckert AgriTours is getting to know your fellow travelers. We already have some people signed up, but a few spots remain. The tour is limited to just 26 guests. You can look at the information online at Eckert AgriMarketing or contact me for a brochure.
Dehoney Travel will be handling all of the tour bookings and can also assist with airplane arrangements. Don’t miss the opportunity to tour Costa Rica through the eyes of a farmer. Call us today!
Filed under: Agritour, Agritourism travel | Add new tag, agritour, agritourism, agritours, Arenal Hanging Bridges, Arenal Springs Resort, Arenal Volcano, Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, CATIE research center, Costa Rica, Don Juan Eduational Farm, Eckert Agrimarketing, Jane Eckert, La Paz Waterfalls, Mirlitons Miniveggies Fields, Poas Volcano National Park, Rural Bounty, Sarapiqui River Rafting, Selva Verde Eco Lodge, Turrialba Farmer's market, Villa Florencia|No Comments
