It’s already happening. Pumpkin spiced drinks are back, and that means the fall season is not far away. It also means the pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hay rides and other activities are about to be all the rage! Importantly, hunting season also is around the corner.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a name for these types of activities, “agritourism and recreational operations,” and collects data on these as part of the quinquennial Census of Agriculture. From the 2022 Census of Agriculture that was released this past February, there were 28,617 agritourism and recreational operations across the United States. The number of operations has shrunk from one Census of Agriculture to the next, however, peaking at 33,161 in 2012.
Agritourism diversity
The “official” definition of agritourism and recreational services is “income from recreational services such as hunting, fishing, farm or wine tours, hay rides, etc.” Agritourism is more than pumpkin patches, corn mazes and hay rides. There are 15 farm categories, and six of those account for more than 80% of the operations.
Beef cattle ranching (associated with “dude ranches,” cattle drives, horseback riding, etc.) is the most common type of recreational farming activity, followed by aquaculture (fishing) and other animals. The number of “other crop” and sugarcane, hay and other crop farm types are about the same. The distribution of farm types dedicated to agritourism and recreational services from the 2022 Census of Agriculture are shown in the agritourism by farm chart.
These operations generated a whopping $1.3 billion in income during 2022. While the number of operations has fallen, the nominal income has increased 11-fold since 2002, up more than 154% over that time. Income by operation averaged more than $44,000 in 2022, which is six times greater than reported in 2002 and more than double over the past decade.
The benefits and value of agritourism caught the attention of the House of Representatives in 2022 when H.R. 6408 was introduced to establish an Office of Agritourism in the USDA that “promotes agritourism activities and businesses.”
The goal of the legislation was to accelerate rural innovation and tourism opportunities while upholding rural industries and sustainable marketplaces. The bill did not get a vote, but it was reintroduced as H.R. 5203 in 2023 and was referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
The benefits of agritourism as cited in the act include education, outdoor recreation, entertainment, direct sales, accommodation and dining on a farm.
One aspect of agritourism and recreational operations is that they use a small footprint. Nearly one-half of the operations are fewer than 100 acres in size while generating 37% of the income. More than one-third are between 100 acres and fewer than 1,000 acres, also generating 37% of the income. Fewer than one in five of the operations are more than 1,000 acres and represent 26% of the income. The number of operations by acreage is shown in the U.S. agritourism by acreage chart.
High Plains agritourism income impressive on larger area despite losing operations
Income generated by agritourism and recreational activities across the High Plains exceeded $427 million in 2022, an increase of nearly 20% from the 2017 Census of Agriculture. In 2002, income totaled $127 million.
Agritourism and recreational income and the number of operations have been moving in opposite directions in the High Plains, too. In 2022, the number of operations across the High Plains totaled 10,889, which was 38% of the total across the United States. The highest count of operations was 16,015 in 2002, and it represented 57% of all such operations across the U.S. Since 2002, the number of operations in Texas has represented 48.7% of the operations across the High Plains, totaling 4,816 in 2022.
By acreage, High Plains farmers use more land than the U.S. average. For example, in 2022, more than 36% operated on land with 1,000 acres of more. Another 24% of the operations were on land with fewer than 100 acres. The remaining 40% operated on land between 100 and fewer than 1,000 acres.
With increasing income and fewer operations, the income per operation averaged $39,220 across the High Plains during 2022. Income per operation ranged from a high of $73,384 in Colorado to a low of $15,135 in Oklahoma. Despite Texas having the highest number of operations, its income per operation was $39,824, which is slightly better than the average of the High Plains.
The number of agritourism and recreational operations and income for the High Plains is shown in the agritourism and income per operation High Plains figure.
Agritourism and recreational activities offer income diversification
Agritourism is community-centric, educational and great for families, sportsmen and adventure-minded people. For farmers, it offers another stream of income while showcasing the importance and value of agriculture in the U.S.
As grain prices have softened, agritourism is an opportunity to diversify farm income.
Maybe this fall can be a little pumpkin spice and everything nice for those farmers who venture into agritourism and recreational activities.
Ken Eriksen can be reached at [email protected].
