The International Workshop on Agritourism presents Agritourism Gatherings: A virtual series for farm, food, and travel communities.

The series brings together farmers, researchers, service providers, tourism experts and many others to share their knowledge and experience from around the world.

All presentations are held live; recordings will be added below after they are held.  ​
​View a list of upcoming live events here.

​Agritourism and Wellness
​WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2022

The cognitive sciences now tell us what indigenous wisdom has always know: that being in Nature is an important component of both our physical and emotional wellbeing. The wellness of our social relationships are interdependent with the quality of our relationships with the natural world. The wellness industry is booming, and nature tourism is on the rise. So what role does agritourism play in amplifying social, individual, and planetary wellness? Join us to hear panelists from New Zealand and the United States share their experiences with farms that work with health and healing on different levels.

Moderator: Katharine Millonzi, Millonzi Consulting 
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Panelists: Simon Phillips, The Piripi Group (New Zealand); Matthew McMahon, Gould Farm (USA); Melisa Oliva, Vermont's Wellness Farm at Ananda Gardens (USA)
​VIDEO RECORDING OF THIS PRESENTATION: 
HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO: 
Click here for an audio only recording of this presentation.
Resources and Links: 
​Moderator:  Panelists:

​Culinary Innovation on the Farm
​Wednesday, march 2, 2022

​Farmers and chefs are part of a long history of innovation -- in technique, production, and taste -- to express culture through cooking and to grow ingredients that perform and delight. All traditions were once innovations. There is a dance between honoring heritage and respecting the future, especially in the age of climate change. Farm dinners are often the first point of engagement for guests to connect with these lineages and learn how culinary pioneers can shape the future. Join this panel to hear stories from Greece, the U.S. and Panama of how ingredients push models of culinary-focused agritourism forward.

Moderator: Katharine Millonzi, Millonzi Consulting 
 
Panelists: Nikki Rose, Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries (Greece); Chef Joseph Archbold, Receta Michilá and Octo (Panama); Kate Barney, Row 7 Seeds (USA) 
VIDEO RECORDING OF PRESENTATION: 
Click here for an audio only recording of this presentation.
​HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO: 
Resources and Links: 
​Moderator:  Panelists:

Innovative Ways to Sell Agricultural Products Direct to Consumers -- in French and English
Valorisation de circuits courts, par la Francophonie « Des options originales pour acheter local !»
​Tuesday, February 15, 2022

This session is Sponsored by: 

The first hour will be in English and the second hour will be in French. The presentations will be the same but the Q&A will vary. You are welcome to join one or both hours using the same Zoom link.
​The evolving pandemic has brought to light the importance of promoting agri-food products in local markets, purchasing locally sourced supplies, and selling direct to consumers. Join French-speaking partners (southern Quebec, Eastern Ontario and the Aube region of France), to discuss innovative ways to make it easier for residents, tourists, and businesses to buy local. These initiatives promote local products and short distribution chains to limit the number of go-betweens and bring producers in closer contact with consumers.
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Le contexte pandémie en évolution a mis en lumière l’importance de valoriser les produits agroalimentaires sur les marchés locaux, de s’approvisionner localement, de commercialiser en circuits courts. À travers cette conférence, donnée en collaboration avec des partenaires de la francophonie (Sud du Québec, Est de l’Ontario et Aube en France), vous découvrirai plusieurs options pour faciliter l’achat local tant pour les citoyens, les touristes que les entreprises. Ces initiatives valorisent les produits locaux et les circuits courts pour développer l’économie locale et les communautés rurales.

Moderator/Modérateur: David Gillespie, Farmer and Community Organizer/Cultivateur et organisateur communautaire (Quebec, Canada)

Speakers/Présentateurs/trices: Christelle Taillardat, Slow Tourism Lab, Aube en Champagne Tourisme/Responsable Slowtouris Lab, Aube en Champagne - Tourisme (Aube, France); Nadia Dufour, Agri-Tourism, Wine Tourism and Food Tourism Business Advisor, AAGQ/Conseillère aux entreprises en agrotourisme, œnotourisme et tourisme gourmand, AAGQ (Quebec, Canada); Mireille Labranche, Head of Market Development, Tourisme Haut-Richelieu/responsable développement de marchés, Tourisme Haut-Richelieu (Quebec, Canada); and Tom Manley, Executive Director, Eastern Ontario Agri-Food Network/Directeur Exécutif, Réseau agroalimentaire de l’est Ontarien (Eastern Ontario, Canada)
Video in English:
Vidéo en français: 
An audio only recording of this presentation is available in English and in French. 
HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO: In English 
Resources and Links: 
​Moderators: Panelists: Presentation Slide Deck: 

​Reaching Your Target Market: Booking Sites for Farm Stays and Experiences
Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Airbnb, Yonder, Hipcamp, Harvest Hosts – the options seem endless when exploring websites for farms and ranches welcoming visitors. Whether those guests are seeking a rustic camping experience, an original farmhouse stay, or are looking for luxurious accommodations and meals, farm hosts have a variety of options for listing their accommodations and experiences and for setting up online reservation systems. Join experienced agritourism operators for a discussion of the options for listing and booking farm stays and experiences. We'll also introduce a resource that summarizes pros and cons of different websites.

Moderator: Lisa Chase, University of Vermont Extension (USA)

​Speakers: ​Scottie Jones, Farm Stay USA (USA); Jenn Colby, Howling Wolf Farm (USA); Chiara Sattin, Villa Buzzaccarini (Italy); Angela Tweedy, University of Vermont (USA)
​VIDEO RECORDING OF PRESENTATION: 
Click here for an audio only recording of this presentation.
 HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO: ​
Resources and Links: 

Agritourism as a Tool for Rural Development and Women’s Empowerment ​​
Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Agritourism has the potential to empower women around the world, especially in rural communities. Join community leaders who are initiating this work in Uganda, North Macedonia, Peru and the United States. We'll also hear from researchers who are studying the role of gender in agritourism around the globe. 

Moderator: Claudia Schmidt, Pennsylvania State University (USA) 

Speakers: Claudia Gil Arroyo, North Carolina State University (USA); Maria Baryamujura, COBATI (Uganda); Elena Mladenovska Jelenkovic, CEO of M6 Educational Center, Executive Center of Wines of Macedonia (North Macedonia). 
​VIDEO RECORDING OF PRESENTATION: 
HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO:
Click here for an audio-only recording of this presentation.
Resources and Links:

Agritourism Definitions and Standards around the Globe
​Tuesday, november 16, 2021

What is agritourism anyway? Definitions and standards vary around the world, with some understandings focused on educational experiences on working farms while other perspectives are more expansive. Researchers and practitioners from Italy, India, Scotland, South Africa, and the USA will discuss and debate the meanings of agritourism in different parts of the world -- and the importance of working towards a common understanding.

Moderator: Lisa Chase, University of Vermont Extension (USA)

Speakers: Sharon Flanigan, James Hutton Institute (Scotland); Thomas Streifeneder, Eurac Research (Italy); Pandurang Taware, Agri Tourism India (India); Jacqui Taylor, Agritourism Africa (South Africa)
VIDEO RECORDING OF PRESENTATION: 
HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO: 
​Click here for an audio-only recording of this presentation.
Resources and Links: 

Building a Regional Taste, Trade and Identity: International Case Study on Cider
Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Let's celebrate (hard) cider! It's a great example of how distinctive, value-added products can support the viability of farming and evoke a local food culture and sense of place that is closely tied to agriculture. The Glynwood Center for Food and Farming, based in the Hudson Valley of New York, enlivened this historic apple region by incubating a state-wide trade association for the cider industry and developing an international exchange program around cider. Join panelists from the UK, Japan and the US as they discuss their work promoting cider. Learn how collaborative models in each country connect trade professionals and the public to farm-based cider producers, leading to increased public awareness and appreciation.
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Moderator: Megan Larmer, Glynwood Center for Food and Farming (USA)

Panelists: ​Gabe Cook, The Ciderologist (UK); Lee Reeve, inCiderJapan (Japan); Rachel Freier, Cider Week New York (USA)
VIDEO RECORDING OF PRESENTATION: 
HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO: 
​Click here for an audio-only recording of this presentation.
Resources and Links: 

congressional briefing on agritourism
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

Organized by the University of Vermont and FAO North America with support from the Office of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy
 
As we move beyond the Covid-19 pandemic, agricultural producers need additional sources of revenue and families are seeking healthy, outdoor experiences and fresh, locally-produced food. Agritourism – working farms, ranches, and vineyards open to visitors – provides safe recreational and educational opportunities for local residents and tourists. These enterprises at the farm-community-tourism nexus allow communities and visitors to be a part of preserving the working landscape, creating jobs, maintaining farming traditions, sustaining cultural identities, and contributing to food security. 

Moderator: Thomas Pesek, Senior Liaison Officer of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
 
Introduction: Andrew Bahrenburg, Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont
 
Panelists:
BREIFING RECORDING:
​
SHORT VIDEO ON AGRITOURISM:
Produced by Trevor C Lane of Washington State University Extension
​Resources for each of the panelists are listed below:

​Regional Agritourism Strategies for Community Economic Development
Tuesday, May 11, 2021

This gathering highlights how international regions as diverse as Canada, Iran and Georgia are using agritourism as a way to build resilience by celebrating agricultural history, ecology, and heritage. We will hear how agritourism initiatives are key to sustaining rural economic development by allowing farmers to diversify their income, regenerate communities, and reimagine the future (and recovery) as travel trends shift during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Presenters will share best practices and lessons learned from developing and implementing regional strategies around agritourism.
  • Moderator: Katharine Millonzi, Millonzi Consulting
  • Speakers: Trevor Benson, Vice President of Destination Development, Culinary Tourism Alliance, Canada; Dr. Lela Kartishvili, Agritourism Expert, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Georgia; Shiva Soroushnia, Researcher and Tour guide, Iran Safar Travel Agency, Iran

​Culinary Lens on Agritourism
Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Food is an ultimate connector and a big part of why we travel. We share stories, form relationships and build communities around the table, and through our culinary traditions. In this gathering, we will hear stories from around the world of the relationship between agritourism and cuisine. Our panelists include a cacao farmer in Costa Rica, a food tourism expert in Spain, and a regenerative farmer in the UK who work with chefs. They will describe how they foster experiences that embrace an authentic taste of place -- and attract tourists interested in supporting local foodways and rural livelihoods.​

EXPLORING THE DIVERSITY AND IMPACT OF AGRITOURISM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
​TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2021

Agritourism ventures across Southern Africa offer critical and engaging portraits of how ecological conservation connects to cultural heritage and the tourism industry. This panel will highlight how agritourism is helping to develop rural economies and provide opportunities to launch businesses that further socioeconomic diversity and positive impacts of tourism. Panelists will discuss successes as well as challenges in South Africa and Malawi.

AGRITOURISM AND RACIAL JUSTICE IN THE US
​WEdnesday, FEbruary 17, 2021

Join us for this gathering focused on the role of agritourism within the racial justice movement in the United States. Panelists from both urban and rural perspectives will discuss the potential for farm-based education and sales of local products to serve as tools in the pursuit of racial equity and social justice in food systems. 

​​FARM-BASED EDUCATION IN EVERY CITY AND TOWN: 4 UNIQUE STORIES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021

Connecting with land through agriculture can be educational, joyful, healing, and empowering. From a Yellow Farmhouse in Connecticut to an apiary in Botswana, and a hillside campus in Vermont to an urban farm school in New York City, four panelists will offer stories from the field of farm-based education during this session. Discover how learning with and about farming catalyzes opportunities for business development, community building, and the creation of thriving local food systems. Whether you're joining from a farm-based organization, a family farm, a hospitality business, or an education institution, this session will inspire you to offer authentic farm-based experiences in your communities, too. 

​​CREATING VIRTUAL FARM AND FOOD EXPERIENCES
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020

​​Whether it's farm tours, private tastings, or conferences, we are all figuring out new ways to connect digitally with customers and colleagues. During this period of limited travel, farm and food businesses around the world are experimenting with innovative online formats to share their agricultural experiences and products. Join us to learn about lambing tours in Scotland, cider tastings in Vermont, and the Terroir Symposium in Ontario. Presenters will share their challenges, successes, and lessons learned as they have transitioned to virtual events during the pandemic.

​INDIGENOUS & TRIBAL PERSPECTIVES ON AGRITOURISM
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

Celebrating sovereignty and demonstrating the uniqueness of all tribes, this conversation seeks to broaden understanding of indigenous-led agritourism initiatives with a focus on the unity of human and ecological communities. Presentations will explore best practices for integrating agro-biodiversity conservation in tribal communities; how culture, tradition and history blends through the Three Sister Story; and how ancient connections apply to contemporary travel company design and marketing. 
Click here for an audio-only recording of this presentation.
Resources and Links: 

​REGENERATIVE TOURISM & AGRICULTURE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

Agritourism operations are in a unique and potentially impactful position to incorporate and showcase regenerative agricultural practices. This session will describe the principles of regenerative agriculture and discuss how they are shaping a future of regenerative tourism and hospitality. Learn about ventures pioneering the global regenerative movement and the important role that these operations play in educating society about the value of farming, food and (bio)diverse communities.
  • ​Moderator: Katharine Millonzi, Millonzi Consulting
  • Speakers: Anya Fernald, CEO & CoFounder, Belcampo; David Rust, CEO & Co-Founder, Sagra; Nicole Vaugeois, AVP Research, Vancouver Island University; Kimberly Farrell Barquero, Proprietor, Finca Luna Nueva Lodge (Costa Rica)

​WELCOMING GUESTS BACK ON OUR FARMS AND RANCHES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

​As Covid-19 restrictions ease in some parts of the world, travelers who are eager to venture forth seek safe, healthy, outdoor experiences away from crowds— leading to a surge in demand for agritourism experiences which meet these criteria. Join agritourism operators from Italy, India, and the USA for a discussion about how to safely open farm stays and prepare for overnight guests during the Covid-19 pandemic. Hear what is working and what is not, and come prepared to share and question.
​Yonder, a new nature tourism platform, invites travelers to connect with the natural world and the people who steward it. Through the Yonder site and app, guests can discover and book overnight stays and activities at farms, ranches, vineyards, and other nature immersive escapes.
​UVM Extension helps individuals and communities put research-based knowledge to work. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont.  University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.  

Thank you to the following groups for their generous support of this workshop. click here to learn how you can support the international workshop on agritourism.

diamond level sponsor

PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSOR

Gold level sponsors

silver level sponsors

bronze level sponsors

Country Walkers
The Skinny Pancake
Vermont Economic Dev Authority (VEDA)
Vermont Short Term Rental Alliance

nonprofit exhibitors

Center for an Agricultural Economy
Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law School​
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach​

Scholarship donors

Cabot Creamery/Agri-Mark
Philo Ridge Farm
​Vermont Farms Association​
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund

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