SDSU Extension is promoting agritourism in the state. The practice gives farmers and ranchers an opportunity to sell products directly to consumers. They can also earn extra income through education, hospitality and entertainment.
Krista Ehlert is an assistant professor who works with SDSU Extension.
Ehlert says younger tourists and visitors tend to prefer agritourism and other experience based vacations.
She says social media has helped drive this travel trend.
“Your phone now has become this really great source of inspiration for your vacations. 87 percent of millennials use Facebook for travel inspiration. Now we have Instagram and we also have Tik Tok and we’re seeing, even our younger producers in ag, use social media to start connecting to consumers.”
Ehlert says agritourism not only brings income for those who make their living off the land. It can also provide increased revenue and job opportunities for small towns and rural areas.