This website serves Farmers and Ranchers in the Kansas AgriTourism Industry.
Welcome to Kansas AgriTourism!
This website has been developed specifically for Kansas farmers and ranchers involved in AgriTourism, rural properties where the traveler has an opportunity to experience farm and country life far from the hustle of the city.
the Kansas Agriculture Marketing Division and the Travel and Tourism Division of the Department of Commerce
and with financial assistance from Frontier Farm Credit.
We invite you to explore this website to find a variety of articles and resources that will help you succeed in agritourism.
If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Commerce, Travel and Tourism Division, and ask for the Agritourism Liaison.
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Kansas Department of Commerce
Designates $25,000 for AgriTourism Scholarships
The Kansas Department of Commerce is sponsoring a $25,000 scholarship program to help Kansas agritourism operators attend conferences, seminars and educational tours, gain first-hand information regarding practices and techniques used by other agritourism vendors and develop nationwide relationships within the industry.
“Agritourism is a growing component of the rural Kansas economy,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Fricke. “This scholarship program will help Kansas agritourism operators develop the skills they need to expand and remain competitive in a dynamic industry. The success of these businesses is good for all Kansans, who ultimately benefit from a more vibrant economy and the existence of exciting attractions here in our state.”
Commerce will award two types of scholarships.
· Conference Attendance Scholarships will reimburse awardees up to $5,000 per application for all costs related to educational tours, workshops, seminars, registration and one year’s annual organizational dues related to attendance at an approved agritourism, tourism or agricultural direct marketing conference. Each approved application must consist of two representatives from the agritourism operation, both being directly involved in the operations, marketing and development of the business, and both must attend the conference. Funds may not be used for travel, lodging, or incidental expenses.
· Best-Practices Educational Trip Scholarships will reimburse awardees up to $2,000 per application for costs associated with guided, organized trips to agritourism, tourism or value-added businesses regionally or nationally. Funds may be used to offset the following costs related to the trip: vehicle rental, lodging, airfare, motor coach costs, consultation fees charged by the business being visited, admission fees to model attractions or events, insurance for trip participants for the duration of the trip or shared educational materials purchased for or during the trip. Collaborative proposals involving multiple regional or market group partners will receive priority designation.
All applicant businesses must be registered with the Kansas Department of Commerce as a certified agritourism operation as provided by the Agritourism Promotion Act, K.S.A. 74-50,165 et seq. Applications will be accepted until October 30, 2005 and are available online at www.kansasagritourism.org. Awards will be announced by December 1, 2005.
For more information, contact Commerce agritourism program manager Janna Dunbar at jdunbar@kansascommerce.com or 785-296-3737.
The mission of the Kansas Department of Commerce is to empower business and communities through bold leadership using strategic resources to realize prosperity in Kansas.
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