The Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association (WATA), in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has been awarded a $99,851 special crop block grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
WATA has helped member farms meet the growing demand for on-farm experiences for over three decades.
“Today, agricultural tourism is a growing economic engine in Wisconsin and all across the country. It meets both consumer and farmer demands,” stated Sheila Everhart, WATA Executive Director. “In every season, and every day of the week, we work to help consumers and farmers find one another in agricultural settings that are fun, educational, relaxing and delicious.”
Wisconsin is home to 64,000 farms which care for and produce on 14.2 million acres. Many of these family farms struggle every year to gain economic security. In fact, the state loses a farm a day. Agricultural tourism is a significant strategy for working farms to create financial viability. This is critical not only for the farm family, but for the local rural community as well.
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, agricultural tourism is a dynamic sector which generated $3.7 billion nationally on over 150,000 farms.
This grant will allow WATA to significantly increase the educational resources for family farms interested in
entering or expanding agricultural tourism efforts. This includes a mentorship program, video resources, and building on key collaborations across the state and nationwide. Another goal of this grant project is to make it easier for people to find farm-based adventures throughout the state.
“This support allows us to promote and market specialty crops and agricultural tourism on family farms all
across the state,” explain Everhart.
The association’s targeted campaign, “Wisconsin, America’s Agricultural Tourism Destination,” will spotlight the state’s agricultural heritage and diversity while building on the reputation of specialty crops quality.
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