Agritourism, located at the intersection between tourism and agriculture, involves the packaging of tourism-related product and services with an agriculture-based operation or activity for the primary purposes of providing enjoyment, education, or agribusiness expertise and practices for the public. Below, find carefully curated resources for tribal producers looking to create or expand their own agritourism enterprises.

According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, the United States is home to nearly 80,000 Native American or Alaska Native farm producers. Although that number represents just 2.3 percent of the country’s 3.4 million producers, Native-owned farm acreage makes up more than 6 percent of total U.S. farmland—59 million acres to be exact.

With more than 80 percent of Native farmers living on their farm or ranch and/or reporting farming/ranching as their primary occupation, an increasing number of producers are looking to grow their revenue by diversifying their product offerings.

Agritourism Webinars

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

🍴 Office of Tribal Relations
🍴 Tribal Programs and Services
🍴 Council for Native American Farming and Ranching
🍴 National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
🍴 2017 USDA Rural Development Program Reference Guide
🍴 2016 USDA Tribal Guide
🍴 Recreation, Tourism & Rural Well Being

Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC)

The Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) promotes the “Made by American Indians” trademark as a means to successfully and clearly identify actual American Indian products from federally recognized Tribes. There are currently more than 500 licensed trademark users and the IAC’s booklet on use of the “Made by American Indians” trademark is a good resource for interested individuals. indianag.org

Agritourism around the US—Findings from a National Survey

As part of a USDA-funded grant, a multi-state research and extension team conducted a national survey of farms, ranches and vineyards that are open to visitors for product sales and/or experiences. The goal of the survey was to better understand the types of experiences and products offered, the economic viability of agritourism enterprises, and ways to support a healthy future for producers and their  communities. Responses were received from 1834 farms in all 50 states. For information and links to a webinar presenting their findings, visit uvm.edu/vtrc/agritourism-survey.

International Workshop on Agritourism

The International Workshop on Agrittourism, scheduled for Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2021, is designed for farmers, ranchers and tourism experts and features educational sessions, poster presentations, networking events, hands-on workshops and farm tours.

Agritourism Articles & Research

Intertribal Food Systems
A national intertribal survey and report (2915)

Fisheries and Tourism – Creating Benefits for the Community
This guide is intended for those Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) that would like to develop tourism activities in their areas, while also ensuring that benefits accrue to the local fisheries community. (2014)

Alternative Enterprises and Agritourism: Farming for Profit and Sustainability  VIew article

An Introduction to Agritourism: A Power Tool for Storytelling and Revenue Generation
Agritourism, a portmanteau of agriculture and tourism, is a fast-growing subsector of the tourism industry. Read Full Article

Is Your Tribe Ready for Agritourism?
Is your tribal community or your farming/ranching operations ready to expand your cultural impact and your economic base? Read Full Article

Curating Agritourism Experiences: Product Development
While there are plenty of benefits to engaging in culinary and agritourism, as with any tourism effort, attention should be given to crafting a compelling experience and determining whom your desired audience is. Read Full Article

Overcoming Challenges to Successfully Launch Agritourism Experiences
Many communities and entrepreneurs around the country have harnessed travelers’ increasing interest in food and farming as an opportunity to invest in traditional cuisine and practices. Beyond leading to increased community pride, many of these opportunities also provide an effective avenue for perpetuating Native cultures and traditions through education and first-hand experiences. Read Full Article

Creating an Agritourism Business Plan
No matter how great the prospective market, available resources, or the people in your community, without a comprehensive and nimble business plan, the most effective and efficient path to creating a successful agritourism business can be hard to find.  Read Full Article

Big Apple Fest, authored by Oneida Nation

Icy Strait Point; Hoonah, Alaska
Icy Strait Point—America’s only private cruise ship destination—offers two programs emphasizing the agri-culinary offerings of Southeast Alaska. In addition to providing distinctive culinary options for guests, the Tlingit Kitchen program teaches guests about the subsistence lifestyle of the local Tlingit people.

Icy Strait Point​, authored by Dan Moore (Consultant) & edited by AIANTA Staff​

Seminole Nation Vineyard; Seminole, Oklahoma
Although communal farming was an important part of traditional Seminole life, most Seminole people are at least three generations removed from farming, and 99 percent of Seminole owned arable land is not in production.

Native American-owned and Oklahoma-based Seminole Nation Vineyard and Winery (SNVW) features seven acres of dedicated vines, providing a path for Seminole people to get back to farming. The winery supports a growing tourism effort by the Nation, which also creates a ready market for the product produced by Seminole farmers.

Seminole Nation Vineyard, authored by Dan Moore (Consultant) & edited by AIANTA Staff

Tribal Agritourism Marketing Tools Part 2
Using NativeAmerica.travel to promote tourism and your agritourism products
Presenters: Sandra Anderson, AIANTA; Dan Moore, Agritourism Consultant
Presented in Partnership with First People’s Fund