Because of its natural scenic beauty, the single largest tourist draw in West Marin is Point Reyes National Seashore and the 35,000 acres of pristine farmland along the east side of Tomales Bay. Two and one half million people visit the Point Reyes area annually. North Bay and West Marin farmers and ranchers looking for alternative approaches to maintaining profitable agricultural enterprises are exploring agriculture and nature-based tourism activities.

When asked why Sharon Doughty, a third generation West Marin dairy operator, decided to open her on-farm Point Reyes Vineyard Inn Bed and Breakfast (B&B) last summer she replied, “I have four adult children who want make a living on this property so we need to diversify to do that.”

Sleeping in the Straw

Called “Agriturismo” in Italy, “Farm Stay” in New Zealand, and “Sleeping in the Straw” in Switzerland, agricultural tourism or agritourism is defined as “a business conducted by a farm operator for the enjoyment and education of the public, to promote the products of the farm, and thereby generate additional farm income.”

At the Marin Agriculture Summit, a gathering of local agencies, farmers, agricultural land owners and community members in February 1997, participants indicated that one of the highest priorities for action included a regional marketing strategy that promotes Marin County farms and products.

Following up on these ideas, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor/director Ellie Rilla took a sabbatical leave to study the farm B&B system in England and farm tourism operations in Vermont, New York and Connecticut. She visited and interviewed 100 farm entrepreneurs about their successes in agritourism.

Experienced Words

In one interview, Beth Kennett of Liberty Hill Farm, a Vermont dairy farm destination for families, offered words of wisdom to other farms thinking about this type of endeavor.

“Work with what you have to suit your needs, strengths and abilities,” Kennett said. “This is not for everyone. A service venture will never take the place of farming or ranching but it has helped us supplement our primary farm income and has allowed us to continue our farm lifestyle.”

Rilla is currently presenting her research results in a series of slide presentations to audiences in Marin and Sonoma counties.

“Response to my slide presentation on agritourism has been very positive,” she said. “There are people out there who are either already doing some type of agritourism venture or thinking about it. I hope a more coordinated effort will evolve out of the interest so that farms and ranches, tourism bureaus, and park agencies, local food purveyors and growers will all coordinate to share resources, promote one another and expand the agritourism effort in the North Bay and beyond.”

When asked about her outlook for the future, West Marin dairy owner Doughty replied, “It’s only limited by your imagination and willingness to work. You need to be willing to experiment by trial and error and be willing to make mistakes. We have a wonderful piece of property on this 800 acres. Don’t sit around and look at what you can’t do, but look at what you can do.”

Interest in agritourism as a possible venue for some farmers exists in more than Coastal Marin. In Mendocino, the county Economic Development office, Cooperative Extension (CE) and others have just completed a Tourism and Economic Development plan that incorporates agritourism. In San Diego, CE advisors are working with the community as interest is growing in creating agritourism venues in the Carlsbad area as well as ecotourism opportunities along the waterfront. The UC Small Farm Center, based at UC Davis, received a $200,000 grant from the USDA’s Fund for Rural America for an agritourism project in California. Contact the Small Farm Center to become part of anew Agritourism Workgroup (530-752-8136; sfcenter@ucdavis.edu)

For a copy of Rilla’s sabbatical report, please call the UC Cooperative Extension office in Novato at (415) 899-8620.