October 9, 2012
South Burnett farmers and land owners have been invited to learn more about opportunities to diversify their businesses at an Agritourism Field Day to be held at Kingaroy on Monday, October 29.
Agritourism is defined as any activity that invites visitors into a rural community “to experience the agricultural landscape, culture, food, wine and natural environment”.
The field day will be run by Knowledge Transfer Services in partnership with Southern Queensland Country Tourism.
It will be the launch event for a new local Agritourism Business Development Program which will consist of a series of six full-day workshops designed to facilitate the establishment of new agritourism experiences.
Knowledge Transfer Services managing director Rose Wright said agritourism provided an opportunity to diversify an existing agribusiness, with the potential to provide an alternative or additional income stream and a succession plan to keep family members on the land.
“Domestic and international visitors want authentic, regional experiences based on our rural way of life and our food, wine and landscape, which we often take for granted,” Mrs Wright said.
“We know how beautiful this part of the world is, with its endless starry skies, wonderful natural and rural environments and fantastic food and wine but for many people these are little-known luxuries that they only get to experience when on holiday.”
Mary-Clare Power, CEO of Southern Queensland Country Tourism, said agritourism was a great complement to the region’s tourism industry.
“Agritourism is a wonderful opportunity for farmers and the tourism industry to work together to develop experiences that highlight agriculture, one of our region’s core industries,” Ms Power said.
“I would encourage any farmers looking for additional business opportunities that complement their current agribusiness to attend the Field Day to at least find out what agritourism is all about, and how it can benefit them.”
To register for the Agritourism Field Day, rsvp by email by close of business on Friday, October 19.
