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.

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

Vermont Economic Dev Authority (VEDA)

Scholarship donors

Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
Philo Ridge Farm

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2022 Workshop Location: Hilton Burlington Hotel, ​Burlington, Vermont, USA