Ideas, enthusiasm grow at agritourism meeting
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Individuals from Chase County joined people from Marion and Dickinson counties in an agritourism meeting Nov. 9 at Herington.
The meeting was the fourth in a series designed to result in formation of an area-wide organization which can market the natural assets of the area and eventually bring in tourists for three-day, two-night visits.
Especially needed are farmers, ranchers, and other landowners who are willing to host nature tours or provide other rural experiences.
Jerry Barta, a Herington entrepreneur, organized the meeting held at Herington Community Building.
Peggy Blackman of Marion gave an overview of the agritourism program developed in the Texas panhandle which revitalized small towns in the region.
"I've been to Canadian, Texas, and we already have a lot more to offer than they do," she said. "If they could do it, we surely can. We are learning how to bring other people in to utilize services we can't afford ourselves."
She noted most people no longer have a direct connection to the land, and many are looking for a taste of rural life and are willing to pay for it.
For example, she said, people would like to experience true darkness and see the brilliance of stars in a dark night sky.
Lynn Unruh who, together with husband Charlie, recently opened a bed and breakfast near Marion Reservoir, said she has contacted at least two landowners who are willing to become involved.
She said the state legislature has provided an umbrella of protection from liability for those who develop an agritourism business.
Larry Abeldt, a farmer and sheep rancher at Hope, sees agritourism as a means to keep his four sons on the 100-year-old family farm.
He said the slogan, "If you build it, they will come," holds true for agritourism.
He also noted people are looking for a complete experience, one which engages all five senses — seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, and tasting.
He said bird-watching in Texas brings more money into the state than the entire cattle industry brings to Oklahoma.
Blackman said the state of Kansas will assist a regional organization, and tax credits will be provided for entrepreneurs in rural areas.
She said the state plans to contract with Remelle Farrar, community development director at Canadian, Texas, and Ted Hughbanks, a professional consultant from Austin, Texas. They will be made available to set up an action plan.
Loren Medley, a representative of KEPCO (Kansas Electric Producers Co-op) was present. He said KEPCO makes loans for entrepreneurial projects and is funding 50 projects at the present time.
The Dickinson County/K-State extension agent said extension councils can help with business planning.
One idea suggested as a place to start was "familiarization" tours, or "fam" tours, for short. A bus would be chartered to take people around to various places of interest within an area.
Medley jumped at the suggestion, and said an entrepreneur could buy a bus for tours using a loan from KEPCO and make that his agritourism business.
"But he would have to have a business plan to show how he would pay the money back," he added.
Participants in the meeting were asked to create an inventory of things of interest in their local communities, people involved in agritourism, and dining and boarding facilities.
The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Herington Community Building to compile findings, develop potential itineraries, and decide the next step.
