Organizations Supporting Agritourism

Revised August 2021

Overview

Agritourism associations, resources and networks, and other related organizations can provide benefits for farmers and ranchers wishing to diversify their operations.  Such associations often provide information and resources, and can prove helpful in three general ways. First, these associations can provide an advertising outlet for your business through websites, brochures, and other media. For example, many associations maintain websites that market attractions in a geographic area or map driving routes to participating farms, ranches, and other agritourism sites.  Second, these groups can provide an opportunity to network, interact, and learn from others who are involved in similar businesses. This enables farmers/ranchers to build upon the experiences of others in similar ventures. Third, these provide information on trainings, conferences, trends, and recent research.

Following is a listing of some of the agritourism and related associations, networks, and websites specifically developed for agritourism businesses in order to directly meet identified needs related to marketing their businesses.  In addition, there are governmental, non-governmental, and university organizations dedicated to assisting in the development and marketing of agritourism. 

Tour Operations and Online Guides

• Agricultural Tour Operators International
• Agritourism World
• The Dude Ranchers' Association
• Farm Stay U.S.
• Guest Ranches of North America
• Pick Your Own

Government Resources and Assistance Organizations

• Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), USDA - The AMS includes six commodity programs: cotton, dairy, fruit and vegetable, livestock and seed, poultry and tobacco. The programs employ specialists who provide standardization, grading and market news services for those commodities.
• Alternative Farming Systems Information, USDA.
• National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
• Farmers Markets, AMS, USDA - Facts and profiles on farmers' markets.
• Agritourism and Farm Tours, USDA
• National Agricultural Law Center - Agricultural Reading Room - A comprehensive resource on agritourism containing major statutes, case law and research publications. 
• National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts hundreds of surveys every year and prepares reports covering virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture.
• National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)
• National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educator, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States.
• North American Agricultural Marketing Officials
• Regional Rural Development Centers - These centers link universities with local decision-makers to address rural development issues.
  • North Central Rural Development Center
  • Northeast Rural Development Center
  • Southern Rural Development Center
  • Western Rural Development Center

• Resources for Farmers' Markets
• Rural Business Cooperative Services
• Rural Tourism, Rural Information Center, National Agriculture Library, USDA.
• Small Farms @ USDA - A gateway for USDA resources, services and benefits for farmers.
• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), NIFA, USDA - This program offers a nationwide research and education grants program.

National Resources

• Agritourism.Life
• Agritourism World
• Agrotours, Inc.
• American Farm Bureau
• The Association for Living History Farms and Agricultural Museums
• Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
• Christmas Tree Farm Network - Commercial, organized by state.
• Corn Mazes America
• The Dude Ranchers' Association
• Edible Communities Inc. - This publishing company connects consumers with family farmers. 
• Farm-Based Education Association - This organization provides support materials and online resources.
• Farmer Direct 2 You
• Maze Play - A corn maze design company.
• Maize Quest - Corn maze designs & Agritourism consulting. 
• PickYourOwn - Commercial organization organized by state.
• Pumpkin Patches & More
• National Christmas Tree Association
• North American Blueberry Council 
• North American Deer Farmers Association
• North American Elk Breeders Association
• North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association
• Sustainable Tourism & Outdoor Recreation - Extension Tourism

State

• Agritourism/State-Supported Organizations (Organized by state)
• Fisheries and Habitat Conservation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
• State Departments of Agriculture - National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, General directory.
• State Departments of Travel and Tourism - Links to each state's Offices of Tourism from USA.gov.
• State Fish Wildlife and Natural Resources Management 
• State, Local and Tribal Governments - Contact information from USA.gov.

Winery Associations by State