Regionality Pty Ltd reposted this
This throughtfully written and insightful story posted by our strategic partner Agritourism Queensland is well worth a read. Written and presented by Kay Tommerup farmer, Agritourism operator and president of this new industry group shares her unique insights into the effort and passion required to get to this point. It’s my hope that every farming organisation in Australia follows the lead of QFF LIMITED who championed the cause for agritourism in Queensland as a mechanism for diversification and value adding or pathway to market for their farmers. People like Jo Sheppard GAICD and Dr Georgina Davis before her who advocate, support and provided leadership. I hope that others will take Queenslands lead, indeed reach out to them to find out how and why they’re supporting this. I’m hoping that all the states can work together to make agritourism work for farmers and their families now and into the future. And I look forward to the national collab that can occur with Australian Regional Tourism Ltd (ART) Tourism Australia and National Farmers' Federation to create real connections between consumers and the incredible people on the land that produce the food they eat, the fibre they wear and act as custodians of the incredible Australian landscapes we all live to experience. I hope that politicians, policy makers and regulators alike consider agritourism as an important opportunity for the future of rural and regional Australia and that they stop and consider how can we help protect farmland for future generations, yet still allow our farmers to be innovative today to ensure viability and build resilience. And beyond our shores, I hope these opportunities are shared in other countries through the Global Agritourism Network Am I dreaming? I hope not