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Technology center creates agritourism business training programBy Jennifer M. Latzke
It's a hurdle many aspiring agritourism entrepreneurs have to overcome--the idea that there's nothing worth doing in their area. But, the staff of the Agricultural Business Management Program at Northwest Technology Center of Alva, Okla., are working to correct this assumption. Barclay Holt, program coordinator, is working with staff and locals to educate agribusiness professionals and potential agritourism operators about successful business plans for agritourism. "We're currently developing our training and we have a lot of resources to lean on," Holt said. "We're putting our specialized training we've developed through our agricultural business program to work." As one of 19 technology centers in Oklahoma, Northwest Tech's Agricultural Business Management Program works with farmers and ranchers to develop business plans, budgets, cash flows, and other "book work." In the past decade or so, Holt and his staff have seen a rise in the number of producers they work with who are venturing into agritourism side operations. So, they decided to develop this new agritourism focus. "This has happened pretty quickly," Holt said. "From the agribusiness side, we've been asked to talk to people about their business plans and we know that there's probably some of our clients who are thinking of ideas but don't know how to bring them to fruition. We hope to help them." Holt said the overall goal is to get agritourism operators to pull together to bring people to the area, and keep them there--to realize that there is more to do in their region than they think. "Those who feel like they have their agritourism business going, they may also be interested in networking with other tourism offers, or want help connecting the dots," Holt said. "They may have horseback riding, or a bed and breakfast, or a winery or a maze, but they more than likely know that their operation won't take up a visitor's whole day. Or, say a couple comes to the area so the husband can hunt; what is there to do for the wife if she's not interested in hunting all day?" A key part of that networking component will be the consultancy of Monica Tompkins, who operates Tumbleweed Tourism, LLC, in Alva, Okla. Tompkins' volunteer business puts together agritourism "packages," for visitors interested in visiting the Alva area. "When we moved here a year ago, I wondered what there was to do up here," she said. "So, I volunteered with the Northwest Oklahoma Alliance and the Woods County Economic Development Committee and one thing led to another. I started putting together packages for visitors. There's a lot to do here, but it's hard to connect the dots." Through Tumbleweed Tourism, Tompkins approaches agritourism operations, and creates an itinerary of activities and accommodations. She talks to tour coordinators and helps set up trips for their groups. Time and time again, though, Tompkins found that there was a need from her agritourism contacts for more education. "We really need to educate our venues, and prepare them for when we do get people here," she said. "The thing we're pushing the most is that they are selling an experience and customer service has to be a priority." The Northwest Tech Center program aims to meet that need. In addition to teaching about the special insurance and risk management needs of an agritourism business, it will also cover customer service and networking. Holt said the most important aspect of the program, though, may be changing the mindsets of producers from running a farm or ranch, to running an agritourism business. "Some things are similar to what they deal with in their other operations," Holt said. "The numbers and book work are similar. But, some will need to work on customer service, networking and such. Ag people are pretty independent. The idea of networking or depending on the guy across the road is a little tough." The new program will likely begin in early October and, because it is a new venture, the format will evolve from what participants ask for, Holt said. "If we see a need for risk management education, we'll try to create a program based on it," he said. The curriculum is also still in development, and producers who have ideas should contact Holt. Tompkins and Holt plan to work one-on-one with clients and assess their needs. To kick off the program, the Northwest Technology Center staff will use the area chambers of commerce, local lending institutions, and Extension offices to get the word to farmers and ranchers who might be interested. "We'll utilize our community civic clubs, and some economic development people in the counties," Holt said. While the Northwest Technology Center covers the Woods, Major, Alfalfa, Blaine, Woodward, Harper and Dewey counties, Holt said producers from outside the area are welcome. For more information about the Northwest Technolgy Center, or the agritourism business training program, farmers and ranchers should call Holt at 580-327-0344.
Jennifer M. Latzke can be reached by phone at 620-227-1807, or by jlatzke@hpj.com. 9/22/08 Date: 9/18/08 Advertisement
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