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NEW AGRITOURISM DIRECTORY, WEBSITE HIGHLIGHTS RURAL WEST VIRGINIA
Charleston, W.Va. – West Virginia farmers and rural communities now have a central database to promote and market their farm-based attractions and programs. Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass unveiled the new directory and website at the State Fair of West Virginia Tuesday.
“The agritourism trend provides alternative income options for West Virginia farmers. With the highest percentage of family farms in the nation, West Virginia families have the potential to lead the nation in this niche,” said Commissioner Douglass. “Coupled with the strong tourism product already in existence, visitors to our rural communities will experience unique cuisine, world-class hospitality and West Virginia's rural heritage.”
Following the national trend of diversified enterprises, agritourism enterprises are gaining popularity in West Virginia, as attested by visitors to the state who visit farms, fairs, festivals, wineries and other nature-based attractions.
“Nationally, more than 52,000 farms are engaged in agritourism activities,” said WVDA Marketing Specialist Cindy Martel. “Surveys suggest that more than 75 percent of travelers use the internet to find and book activities. The combination of a print publication and internet resources will provide the traveling public with up-to-date information about our state’s superb attractions.”
The new agritourism directory lists more than 250 owner/operators and is indexed by the existing Division of Tourism regions. General contact information is provided for readers to contact the individual attractions. A detailed listing, website link and photos will be available on the new website at www.visitwvfarms.com on August 20, 2008.
Though few operations are true long-term destinations, the activities are perfect to add to existing itineraries. The state’s agritourism initiative is funded, in part, through grants and support from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Federal State Market Improvement Program and the West Virginia Division of Tourism’s Matching Grant program.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.
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