A recent Virginia Tech study found that agritourism, from pick-your-own apple orchards to pumpkin patches, can help boost profits.
BLACKSBURG, Va., Feb. 11, 2015 – From pick-your-own strawberry operations and winery tasting rooms to pumpkin patch fields and cut-your-own Christmas tree farms, agritourism is growing in the commonwealth and across the country. A recent statewide study by Virginia Tech found that it’s not just a pleasant way to spend a Sunday — it’s also a viable way for farmers to supplement their income.
The commonwealth’s top two industries, agriculture and tourism, were evaluated using a survey-based study by a team from Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciencesand Virginia Cooperative Extension.
In Virginia, both the number of midsize farms and the revenue of those farms have been declining. The study found that agritourism could be a viable option for farm managers to diversify and augment income.
