Family farms in Illinois are disappearing. According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture 
, only 76,000 farm operators remain as compared to 164,000 in 1595. Of the remaining operators, 39% hold jobs off the farm. Fortunately, many farm families are finding alternative farm income, or value added farming, that enables them to stay on family farm. One such value added enterprise is Agritourism or Entertainment Farming. The Illinois Department of Agriculture describes agritourism as "a commercial enterprise on a working family farm conducted for the enjoyment, education, and/or active involvement of its visitors." Diversification seems to be one element of success for many farm enterprises. For example, the
Pumpkin Patch on the Kuiper Family Farm, offers diverse entertainment and commodities for sale such as apple and pumpkin picking, corn mazes, seasonal decorations, toy farm implements, christmas trees, and orchard shop, and a bakery.
Now is the time to begin planning.
Desmond Jolly , Director of the Small Farm Program at University of California-Davis, warns, "...that if farmers and ranchers are too tardy in their response to the emerging opportunity, theme park operators will develop simulated farms and operate them as agritourism attractions."
As with any enterprise, a business plan, financial plan, and marketing plan need to be carefully developed. The following organizations and publications will be helpful when considering what agritourism business might be right for you family farm:
Illinois Partners of Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Programs (ASAP)
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development provides many resources to assist with business planning. Visit their
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Site.
Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education (SARE) and their
North Central Branch provide research information, publications, and information on grant opportunities.
State of Illinois Business Portal provides resources on starting, running and changing a business. They also have forms you may need for your enterprise.
Illinois. Mile After Magnificent Mile . provided by the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Tourism, gives viewers an idea of tourist sites to visit and may be a great marketing tool for you business. The site also provides information on available
grants .
Evaluating a Rural Enterprise , published by the National Center for Appropriate Technology and funded by the USDA, is a downloadable guide for would-be agritourism proprietors.