OSU Extension Agricultural Tourism

What do we mean when we say “agritourism?”
There is not one agreed upon definition of agritourism at the state, national, or international level. University professionals nationally are working to broaden and define the definition, to better inform data such as the Census of Agriculture.
For our program at OSU Extension, we use this as our guidelines: A working farm or ranch that invites the visiting public onto their land for sales and/or events.

So, what does that mean? Who is the program for?
A farm or ranch that produces a farm product and also has one or more of the following:
⭐️ Direct Sales - U-cut/pick, farm stand/store
⭐️ Education - Classes, workshops, tours, demonstrations, tastings
⭐️ Entertainment - Festivals (harvest, flower, blueberry, etc.) that are one day to weeks long, open farm days
⭐️ Recreation - Hiking, birding, horseback riding
⭐️ Hospitality- On-farm dinners, on-farm lodging

Some of these activities fit in more than one category. For example, an on-farm dinner is hospitality but also has educational aspects and may even lead to sales.
It has been noted that an “experience” can happen when a customer participates in U-pick or visit a farm store, different than if a person was shopping at a grocery store.
The important part is these are working farms and ranches, which is why we refer to our program here at OSU Extension as “Agricultural Tourism.” The agriculture part carries just as much (or more) weight than the tourism portion.

Questions? Drop them in the comments.

Kotek expects Legislature to revisit controversial farm stands rules | Capital Press Lawmakers will likely be tasked with clearing up Oregon’s farm stand rules after regulatory negotiations over the matter went off the rails earlier this year.

What is agritourism?
Did you know that agritourism is defined differently across the world? These varying definitions can create confusion in practice, policy, and research.

Join the Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Definitions and Standards Committee for a special webinar where leaders of the committee will share the results of three years of collaboration to bring clarity to this question.

🌍 Learn about the newly agreed-upon definition, core values, and the recognition of agritourism’s global diversity, all grounded in real-world examples from around the world.

📅 Date: November 18
🕛 Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. EST

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from those shaping the future of agritourism worldwide!

👉 Register here: https://globalagritourismnetwork.org/event/a-world-of-agritourism-definitions-and-values-identified-by-the-global-agritourism-network/

🌟 Save the date! 🌟
🚜 Agritourism Connections Conference
📆 February 6th, 2026
📍 Chemeketa Agriculture Complex in Salem

Join fellow producers and agritourism professionals for a dynamic day of learning and networking. This event features engaging sessions on effective marketing strategies, firsthand stories from agritourism operators, opportunities to build valuable social connections, and updates on the latest research. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your agritourism venture, this conference offers practical insights and inspiration to help you thrive. Hosted by the OSU Extension Agricultural Tourism Program.
➡️ More information and registration will go live in December.
Let us know if you have questions in the meantime and we hope to see you there!

Join the Information Session on Value-Added Producer Grants hosted by Alder Street Crossing on November 14th at 11am!

This webinar will cover some of the basics of the grant program such as the types of grants offered (planning and working capital), eligibility requirements, matching funds requirements, and the application process. Next it will look at the components of the grant application and present case studies of previously funded grant projects as examples of the ways projects might be structured. Finally, the webinar will offer best-practice suggestions that can help you put together a successful grant application.

For more information and registration go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ITcPqCgrR1Sr5wlj47rR4Q #/registration

Our team has been planning something. 🧐💭 Watch our social media channels for an announcement coming soon!

Just a reminder that we have a quarterly digital newsletter and the fall addition will be sent out soon. Each issue includes new resources, updates, events, and marketing tips. You can sign up for it below!

OSU Extension Service OSU Extension Service Email Forms

Meet our agritourism intern, Cydney Stables. This Graceland University grad spent the summer working with small farms, farmers, and consumers to explore the importance of the agritourism industry in these counties of Oregon: Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Linn, Lane, and Benton. Now, she’s heading to Kansas State University for a master’s in agricultural economics. Explore her blogs for more details below:

Blog 1: https://tinyurl.com/Cydney-Blog-1

Blog 2: https://tinyurl.com/Cydney-Blog-2