Biennial ag-tourism conference set for Big Isle, Maui, O'ahu
By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Staff Writer
The biennial Ag-tourism in Hawaii Conference, which opens today in Kona on the Big Island, has expanded to Maui and Hono-lulu this year as interest in the niche market continues to grow.
The fourth biennial Ag-tourism in Hawaii Conference will be held on the Big Island, Maui and O'ahu this week. All conferences run from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. • Today at Keauhou Beach Resort in Kona, Hawai'i • Wednesday at Sandalwood Golf Course on Maui • Friday at Kapi'olani Community College • Each conference is followed by an optional next-day workshop from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. covering topics such as consumer trends, on-farm retailing and cash flow budgeting. (The optional workshop on Maui will be at Maui Community College.) • Register online at www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/agtourism for the Maui and Honolulu conferences. The registration fee is $75 up to the day before each conference. You may also register at the door at all conferences for $100. Registration includes all conference materials and lunch. • For more information, visit www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/agtourism or contact Jennie Burau at jenburau@hawaii.rr.com or call (808) 324-0520.
The conferences are aimed at educating farmers and others about the practical aspects of agricultural tourism — also called "ag-tourism" or "agritourism" — which includes farm tours, bed-and-breakfast establishments and selling products at the farm, said conference chairman Kent Fleming. After finishing up in Kona, the conference will move to Maui and O'ahu this week.
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"I'm trying to really help the smaller farmers in particular in Hawai'i be more sustainable, to be a little more profitable and have their farming operations a little less risky by diversifying," said Fleming, a Kona-based farm economist with the University of Hawai'i's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
He said previous ag-tourism conferences were held only on the Big Island. The conference was expanded this year following requests from farmers on Maui and O'ahu. Conference sponsors include the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, the Hawai'i County's Office of Research and Development and other government and private organizations.
The conferences include presentations and panel discussions featuring experts in farming, policy, economics and tourism. Brent Warner, ag-tourism specialist with the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and author of "Marketing on the Edge: A Marketing Guide for Progressive Farmers," will be the keynote speaker at all three conferences.
Agritourism is a small but growing niche market in Hawai'i. Only about 3 percent of Hawai'i's 5,500 farms engaged in agritourism activities in 2003, according to the latest survey by the Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Service. But the survey, released in October, indicates the number of farms with agritourism activities will continue increasing.
There were 187 farms in Hawai'i with some agritourism activity in 2003, compared with 126 farms in 2000. An additional 145 farms either started agritourism activities last year or plan to in the future.
Agritourism-related income totaled $33.9 million in 2003, up 30 percent from the $26 million generated in 2000.
According to the survey, 48 percent of Hawai'i's farms with agritourism activities are on the Big Island. Maui County has 23 percent of the state's farms with agritourism, followed by O'ahu with 16 percent and Kaua'i with 13 percent.
The Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Service described agritourism as activities including selling products directly from the farm, operating a bed-and-breakfast, educational farm tours, horseback riding, festivals and concerts.
Fleming warned that agritourism is not for all farmers. He noted the capital investment required to make a farm presentable and safe for visitors, as well as other issues such as liability insurance.
"It's not a quick fix," he said.
But it can be an effective way for farmers to supplement their income and reduce the risks inherent in the industry, he said. Fleming also said agritourism activities can draw more involvement from family members who might otherwise not be interested in working on a farm.
"It's always a big problem with kids growing up and leaving and not seeing any potential there," Fleming said. With agritourism activities, "they suddenly see that it's much more interesting than just slugging away everyday doing the same thing."
Reach Lynda Arakawa at 535-2470 or larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.
