Agritourism Field Day slated Nov. 14 in Tuttle

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension is partnering with other entities to host an educational field day geared toward those who are looking to expand their agribusinesses.

Slated Nov. 14 at the Coal Creek Vineyard and Winery in Tuttle, Oklahoma, the free, one-day event is an educational opportunity for farm direct marketers and other agritourism operators, said James Arati, OSU Cooperative Extension business development coordinator and advisor.

The event will begin at 8:30 a.m., conclude at 4:30 p.m. and includes lunch sponsored by Oklahoma Agritourism. Registration by Nov. 6 is requested by visiting www.oksbdc.org and clicking the Get Training tab.

“The popularity of agritourism is on the rise and owners need to have creative ways to find clients. Social media is one way many agribusinesses advertise, and this will be just one of the many topics we cover during the field day,” Arati said. “We’ll also talk about increasing search engine optimization.”

Other topics on the agenda include forming a diverse marketing agritourism portfolio, using the science of timing to succeed, agritourism business planning and logistics, and strategies for adding outdoor recreation and attractions. Participants also will tour the winery.

“This is a great opportunity for business owners to network with others in the agritourism business, share knowledge and experiences and learn various business strategies,” Arati said. “Agritourism is a viable venture for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers who are looking for ways to diversify their operations.”

The field day is a collaboration of OSU Cooperative Extension; Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry’s agritourism section; and the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center.

For more information about the field day, contact Arati at jarati@okstate.edu.

Story by Trisha Gedon