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My former organic vegetable and sunflower farm had a few revenue channels. The one revenue channel that probably required the most labor was the numerous farmers markets. It was so exciting to make a new connection and add a new market, especially with our mobile farm stand truck. Being a marketer at heart, creating new connections was my favorite part!

However, I recall the anticipation of market days…waking up super early to harvest, clean, prep, pack the truck, drive to the destination, move all the produce and sunflowers out of the truck to the market destination, setup the market, sell and connect with customers, pack up all the stuff that wasn’t sold, head back to the farm, unpack, sort everything out for donation, sale or compost, and then think about what we needed to prep for the next day. I didn’t mind the work at all . I actually enjoyed it. But was it worth the revenue it was bringing in or could my time be used more wisely,...and economically? The answer was yes and Megan Neubauer describes it perfectly in her book, Pick Your Own Farming, Free Yourself from Farmers Markets and Join the Agritourism Revolution. Jump right in and learn why agritourism became a no-brainer for her farm and transitioned her to a very profitable Texas farm.

Pick-Your-Own Farming: Free Yourself from Farmers Markets and Join the Agritourism Revolution!
Pure Land Farm
Pure Land Farm Facebook
Pure Land Farm Instagram

The Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.

• Agri-Tourist.com
• HeartBeet Farms
• Instagram
• About Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast Host
• Global Agritourism Network

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I had the pleasure of speaking with Lisa Chase from the University of Vermont. Lisa’s primary role is the Natural Resources Specialist at University of Vermont Extension, where she focuses on the intersection between environmental management, food systems and community development. She is also the Director of the Vermont Tourism Research Center, emphasizing tourism and recreation in her programming. Lisa has a significant focus on agritourism in Vermont.

Beyond Vermont, Lisa also collaborates as part of the National Extension Tourism Network, working with partners throughout the United States. And, most recently, she is heading up the new Global Agritourism Network which we will learn more about in today's podcast. I was so excited to meet with Lisa and really dig deeper into what agritourism really is. Our conversation inspired some new thinking about how we are defining agritourism and the impact of these definitions on farms and farm customers. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Lisa Chase as much as I did. She is truly an inspiring leader who has been very effective at bringing people together towards a common goal.

Vermont Agritourism Collaborative
Vermont Tourism Research Center
National Extension Tourism Network
Global Agritourism Network
Some important resources for individuals looking to pursue agritourism:
Agritourism Business Planning Sessions
Farm-Based Education Network
Vermont Community Loan Fund
USDA Value-Added Producer Grants
UVM Extension Safety, Liability and Regulations for Agritourism

The Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.

• Agri-Tourist.com
• HeartBeet Farms
• Instagram
• About Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast Host
• Global Agritourism Network

Send us a Text Message.

Farmers represent less than 2% of the US population. Women farmers represent 35% of that 2%. That’s quite a small number of women farmers in the US. Shelby Watson-Hampton grew up on a farm in Maryland. She describes the family farm as” a living, breathing entity of its own - the touchstone - the gathering place, the solid center of home for many”. She later helped her family transition the land from a nursery to a vineyard and thriving agritourism business. Shelby’s book, "Grace, Grit & Lipstick", was written for other women in farming, as a way to create the connections that we all need and desire.

Shelby says it like it is. Through her book and our interview, I found Shelby to be extremely authentic and transparent in her messages. She is a smart, practical business woman who provides tremendous guidance for farm businesses looking to expand into agritourism or aspiring farmers looking to make that leap of faith into owning their own farm business. Her primary message was to NOT go it alone. Keep connecting. And to quote Shelby from her book: ” On our best days we find our joy. On our worst days we rage, mourn, and fall to our knees. Then we get up, dust our knees and we get on gettin on.” Enjoy my conversation with Author and Entrepreneur, Shelby Watson-Hampton.

Grace, Grit & Lipstick
The Farmed Life
Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards
Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards Wines

The Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.

• Agri-Tourist.com
• HeartBeet Farms
• Instagram
• About Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast Host
• Global Agritourism Network