Don’t miss the bus! The Oklahoma Agritourism Program will roll through northeast Oklahoma Thursday, June 28. Registration is open for this traveling workshop which includes networking opportunities between tours of agritourism attractions. Participants on the chartered bus will have time to stimulate new ideas and get to know other entrepreneurs who may become future business partners.
The rolling workshop will focus on U-Pick farms where customers come onto a farm or ranch to pick produce such as peaches, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and more. U-Pick farms are a popular category of agritourism enterprise.
Agritourism is defined as inviting the public onto a working farm or ranch to purchase products, learn, have fun, participate in farm activities or just relax. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) and the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department develop and promote the agritourism industry in Oklahoma to stimulate economic growth and viability in rural communities. These businesses attract domestic and international tourists by offering high-quality agricultural attractions and destinations.
Staff from both agencies will be on hand to highlight all the programs and services available for agritourism business owners and interested entrepreneurs.
The bus tour will feature Thunderbird Berries, Livesay Orchard, Stone Bluff Cellars and Owasso Tree and Berry Farm. This lineup will give participants access to incredible ideas from various U-Pick farms and an outstanding agritourism winery.
The Rolling Workshop will depart from Hardrock Hotel and Casino in Catoosa at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, June 28. All meals and materials are included in the $25 registration fee. Seating is limited, so anyone with an interest in agritourism is invited to call and reserve a seat on the bus by June 20.
Register by calling Becca Lasich, Eastern Region Agritourism Coordinator, at (405) 488-7532 or Lori Coats, Western Region Agritourism Coordinator at (405) 420-9242. More information about the agritourism program is available at www.oklahomaagritourism.com.
