-^ 



plants and greenhouses, and wineries. Specialty foods 

 (e.g.. small batches of locally or farm-produced jams 

 and preserves) are value-added products and repre- 

 sent good advertising for the area. 



These agritourism initiatives offer tremendous op- 

 portunities for New Hampshire farmers. Building coop- 

 eration instead of competition is the key to success. 

 Tourists face such a wide range of opportunities today 

 that an area must develop reasons to stop and stay 

 awhile. Building collaborative efforts will strengthen 

 this possibility. This may occur between farms, farms 

 and campgrounds, or farms and other community or re- 

 gional interests. The goal is to provide the visitor with 

 a range of options all contained within the same area. 

 some based on agricultural products, others based 

 upon the rural character of the land. One specific ex- 

 ample in New Hampshire was "Canoe Venture-Farm Sa- 

 fari" sponsored through a joint effort between UNH Co- 

 operative E.xtension. Hannah's Paddles, and the 

 Boscawen Farm Management Group. Canoers had op- 

 portunities to sample local products, go on hayrides. 

 and learn about the workings of a farm. 



In New Hampshire there are a number of organiza- 

 tions and coalitions that recognize the intercon- 

 nectedness of these industries and strive to promote 

 increased collaboration. The NH Timber/Agriculture/ 

 Tourism Coalition was formed in 1989 "to promote the 

 mutual interests of traditional land-based industries 

 and the tourism community which is so dependent on 

 the scenic landscape supported by these industries. " 

 Sullivan Country Agriculture is an organization that rep- 

 resents businesses promoting local products. They pro- 

 duce a business guide brochure and have a "Farm- 

 Fresh Hotline" that provides updates and current infor- 

 mation about local product availability, special events, 

 and services. Similarly. Rockingham County and Coos 

 County provide directories of farm-related products and 

 businesses. The NH Department of Agriculture is also 

 involved, actively promoting farm products and agricul- 

 tural development. These types of regional and state- 

 supported efforts bode well for bringing attention to 

 the diverse opportunities found in New Hampshire 



From an educational perspective. The University of 

 New Hampshire's Department of Resource Economics 

 and Development offers a Bachelor of Science Degree 

 in Tourism focusing on tourism planning and develop- 

 ment. Planning is crucial, given the importance of tour- 

 ism to the state's economy and the need to develop 

 tourism in a manner which provides maximum eco- 

 nomic benefits with minimum disruptions to the social 

 and natural environment. Students gain the necessary 

 tools to plan, develop and manage the natural, cul- 

 tural, and financial resources in a environmentally re- 

 sponsible manner. This program offers a valuable re- 

 source to the state in terms of educating future tour- 

 ism professionals and in providing inexpensive re- 

 search and internship possibilities. 



New Hampshire has a strong rural tradition and a 

 wealth of tourism opportunities. As mentioned, educa- 

 tional and informational resources are available and 

 can be used to develop private and collaborative ini- 

 tiatives. In general, interested producers should take a 

 number of factors into consideration when contemplat- 

 ing an ag-tourism operation. First, operators must have 

 social skills and enjoy what they do. This translates 

 into a willingness to talk to customers and make them 

 feel welcome. Also, the farm should look the part, of- 

 fering a pleasing escape from urban areas. This also 

 points to the importance of farm location A business 

 must be easy to find and near a tourism or metropoli- 

 tan area. Other factors which must be considered is 

 the vital need for liability insurance and an under- 

 standing of the high levels of in-house labor needed 

 for success. Financial management is of course the 

 backbone of success. This paired with honest enjoy- 

 ment of the work will set the stage for building a thriv- 

 ing operation. 



Laura Pfister is graduate student in the Resource 

 Administration and Management Program at the University 

 of New Hampshire and Dr Robertson is the Coordinator of 

 the Tourism Program in the Department of Resource Economics 

 and Development at the UNH They can both be reached at 

 603-862-1700. 



FOR THE LATEST QUALITY TURF BLENDS 



CALL TOLL FREE 1 ■800-SS6-6985 



Turf for Home Lawns, Athletic Fields, Parks, Commercial Buildings, 

 Golf Courses, Schools, Garden Centers, Wetland Stabilization. 



BIG ROLLS AND ROLL OUT SERVICE. FORK LIFT UNLOADING. 

 CONVENIENT FARM PICK UP IN THE MANCHESTER - NASHUA AREA 



GROWING FOR THE TURF PROFESSIONAL FOR 25 YEARS 



THE PLANTSMAN 



