PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Betsy E. Huber
RAISED
RIGHT
HERE – the
National Grange theme for 2021-
for consumers, farmers, and healthy nutrition for families.
23 can have several meanings as I
In addition to on-farm sales, more
described in my President’s address at
and more farmers are expanding their
the 2021 National Grange convention.
businesses even further to include
RAISED - grown, trained, educated
agritourism -- a form of commercial
RIGHT
enterprise
-
correct,
law-abiding,
morally straight
production
that
links
and/or
agricultural processing
HERE - at home, local
with tourism in order to attract
This Good Day! issue explores one
visitors onto a farm, ranch, or other
of the meanings, supporting local
agricultural business for the purposes
agriculture and how the local Grange
of entertaining and/or educating the
can encourage our current and future farmer members in the community. The
pandemic
has
brought
attention to the complicated supply chain that brings food to our homes or grocery stores. When store shelves were
looking
empty,
consumers
searched their communities and found farmers markets and on-farm sources of fresh, wholesome foods that were readily available. These local sources were also struggling to get their products to market through the same supply chain problems, so it was a win-win situation
visitors and generating income for the farm, ranch, or business owner. Agritourism presents a unique opportunity to combine aspects of the tourism and agriculture industries to provide a number of financial, educational, and social benefits to tourists, producers, and communities.
increasing the volume of visitors to an area and the length of their stay. Agritourism also benefits the local municipalities with the potential to increase their local tax bases and new
employment
opportunities.
Additionally, it helps to preserve agricultural lands, another issue the Grange strongly supports.
an
More than ever now, families are
opportunity to generate additional
looking for fun activities they can
income and an avenue for direct
do together, especially outdoors, so
marketing to consumers. Importantly,
agritourism can fulfill this need too.
agritourism
educational
Look around your community and
opportunities to the public which is
see the many agricultural, educational
generations removed from the farm
experiences available to your family.
Agritourism
gives
producers
provides
and has no knowledge of modern farming practices. It benefits the entire community by enhancing the tourism industry,
N & V
GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org
You can have lots of fun and support the farmers in your area that provide the open spaces and beautiful views that you enjoy.
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