Public Education of Integrated Farm Systems Using Agri-tourism: The design and planning considerations associated with public education of integrated farm systems using agri-tourism

Modern agriculture practices in the United States have been accompanied with social, environmental and economic issues. Recent agriculture trends show a declining number of small independent farmers and decreasing farm incomes. In 2007, the average Dutchess County, New York farmer’s annual loss was approximately twenty thousand dollars. This thesis found that synergy was created within a system that uses agri-tourism as a vehicle for public education of an integrated farm system. Much of that synergy comes in the form of value-added production. Value-added production in the form of agri-tourism provides economic diversification opportunities to farmers that can help buffer the fluctuating commodities market. Agri-tourism can also be used as an educational tool and create better connection for the consumers with their food system. Integrated farm systems also have the ability to increase food production while advancing agricultural sustainability production practices. Combining agri-tourism, integrated farm systems and agriculture education creates a needed value-added to farm production.