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Department of Commerce appoints five new members to Agritourism Advisory CouncilKansas The Kansas Department of Commerce has appointed five agritourism business owners/operators to the Agritourism Advisory Council, the group that works alongside Commerce to promote the state's agritourism industry. The new appointments are: --Sarah Beck (Beck's Farm, Newton) --David Corbin (Boot Scootin' Barn, Towanda) --Jan Jantzen (Grandview Ranch, Emporia) --Keaton Kelso (K&K Outfitters, Mulberry) --Barbara Poore (Poore Farms Labradors, Woodston) "The Advisory Council continues to be a crucial source of advice for the state's agritourism development efforts," said Carole Jordan, director of the Department of Commerce's Rural Development Division. "We're excited to add these new members, and we look forward to the experience they'll bring to the council." The Department of Commerce began accepting nominations in August. Interested parties could nominate themselves or other individuals. The deadline was Sept. 15. Nominations were then reviewed by Department staff and the Council's current chair and vice chair. The Director of Rural Development made final appointments. The Advisory Council was created in 2004 to work with the Department of Commerce in supporting agritourism. Council members include a mix of agritourism business owners and operators, economic development officials, tourism professionals and other stakeholders. The Department of Commerce has promoted agritourism since 2004, when the Legislature passed the Kansas Agritourism Promotion Act. Agritourism is often defined as the crossroads between traditional agricultural production and tourism. Farmers across Kansas are realizing the benefits of tailoring their operations to tourists, who are increasingly longing to visit a working ranch, rope a calf, ride a horse, pick their own apples or tour a winery. These activities provide lifelong memories for tourists and additional revenue for Kansas farmers who host them. The Advisory Council will have its next quarterly meeting Nov. 5 at Harvest Farms in Turon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a public forum, networking session and farm tour from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. In addition to welcoming its five newest members, the Council will recognize retiring members. For more information, contact Joe Monaco, Public Information Officer with the Kansas Department of Commerce, at 785-296-3760 or jmonaco@kansascommerce.com.
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