James May-June 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 25
eorgia has long been
known for its diverse
landscapes with rich soil
and many commodities
throughout. Georgia has
a reputation for producing some of
the best tasting food— from apples to zucchini and everything in
between-- and farmers are helping
to boost the tourism industry in
Georgia by offering visitors a chance
to find a deeper connection with
where their food is grown.
According to the University of
Georgia Center for Agribusiness and
Economic Development Farm Gate
Value report, agritourism-related
revenues increased 28 percent from
an estimated $989 million in 2018 to
an estimated $1.08 billion in 2021. All
counties showed an increase in agritourism revenues during that time.
Some of the more popular
agritourism attractions in Georgia include farms where you can pick your
own produce, opportunities to get up
close and personal with farm animals
and even wineries and distilleries
that allow you to take a tour behind
the scenes.
earning about $31 million in revenue,
according to the 2022 Georgia Agricultural Census.
The benefits of a strong agritourism industry are numerous. Not only
does it provide an economic boost
to both urban and rural communities, agritourism provides invaluable
educational opportunities for both
children and consumers. Visiting a
farm and meeting a farmer is a great
way to gain a better understanding
of how your food is grown and what
it takes to get to your plate. Agritourism allows farmers to diversify
their revenue streams while building
stronger relationships in their communities. Plus, we all have better
access to fresher foods, which is
great for our health and the health of
the environment.
Recognizing both the importance
and the potential of agritourism
in this state, Georgia Farm Bureau
created the Farm Passport in 2019 to
help support farms who were interested in welcoming more visitors.
This program has grown in popularity over the years with both farms
and tourists alike.
Ind u s try Benefits
Georgia Farm Passport
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines agritourism
as any practice or enterprise that
integrates agricultural production
and/or processing with activities related to tourism and hospitality. The
primary objective is to attract visitors
to farms, ranches, or other agricultural entities. In 2022, 742 farms in
Georgia participated in agritourism,
Visitors who long for authentic,
farm-centered experiences can use
Georgia Farm Bureau’s (GFB) Farm
Passport as an easy-to-follow guide
to explore more than 100 farms. In
many cases, visitors get to meet the
farmers and learn more about how
the operation runs. The program
aims at offering a deeper connection
between consumers and the families
that grow our food.
Participants can earn rewards
and prizes by collecting stamps in
their Farm Passports from participating farms. These stamps serve
as a fun way to track progress while
promoting visits to rural destinations.
The more farms you visit, the more
stamps you can collect. The more
stamps you collect, the more prizes
you are eligible for.
One of the most popular prizes
is an invitation to Georgia Farm
Bureau’s annual Farm to Table Meal,
which takes place in the spring and
includes a full farm tour followed by
an al fresco style dining experience
right on the farm. The farm dinner
has become a cherished tradition for
some of the more avid stamp collectors, who have made long-lasting
friendships and built a community
with other GFB Passport enthusiasts.
While the prizes are fun, most
participants love the GFB Passport
because it helps them feel more
connected to their food. Produce is
grown right on that property, so you
get to see how the food is grown and
sometimes even have the opportunity to pick it yourself. Georgia’s farmers are proud of what they produce
and they’re eager to show you how
they do what they do. Knowing the
production methods and practices
of producers helps consumers make
choices that align with their values.
When people know how their food
was grown, they understand how
those processes impacts its quality
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