Alachua County Agritourism Conference

Press release from Alachua County

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – The Alachua County Commission is hosting an Agritourism Conference for County residents and businesses interested in learning more about agritourism. The conference is on Thursday, September 22, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the UF/IFAS Alachua County Extension Office (22712 W. Newberry Road, Newberry).

Those interested in exploring ways to partner with UF/IFAS and Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, for tourism-related agricultural operations and events should participate in this conference. The conference is free to all attendees, but those wishing to participate should RSVP via email to Visit Gainesville, Alachua County at info@visitgainesville.com by Friday, September 8.

Presenters include President of the Florida Agritourism Association (FATA) Alan Hitchcock, Florida Agritourism Association staff, UF/IFAS Director Dr. Cynthia Sanders, and Alachua County Tourism Development Manager Jessica Hurov.

Agritourism crosses Florida’s two largest industries, tourism and agriculture, to provide on-farm recreational experiences for consumers. In 2021, visitors staying in paid accommodations generated over $630 million in economic impact to Alachua County. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Ag Census, in 2017, Alachua County sold $99 million in agricultural products.

Alachua County Commissioner Anna Prizzia stated, “Agritourism is a growing area of opportunity for our local businesses, and we look forward to this conference as a day to share resources and ideas to further support our agricultural and tourism economies.”

FATA is a state-wide organization that supports the growing agritourism market in Florida, which includes destinations such as working farms and ranches, u-pick fruit and vegetable operations, vineyards and wineries, specialty crops and products, and numerous other types of farms.