Community & Economic Development, Extension

McWilliam Jellie, Gail

English

UNH Scholars' Repository

SECTION 1: Personal Assessment Business Experience: Yes No ImproveI am motivated to take on a new enterpriseI have managed a business beforeI have a business plan for my current enterprise I keep good production and finance recordsI am willing to take risksOther Experiences and Qualities:I am a good planner/organizerI have creative ideasI have a high level of energy and enthusiasmI enjoy doing new thingsI follow through on what I startI enjoy interacting with a variety of peopleI like to show people my farming operationI don’t mind people wandering around my farmOther Personal Qualities that Apply to this Venture:Business planningArt/DesignAdvertising/public relationsMedia experience: writing/website/radio/TV TeachingCrafts (list)Other skills you have that will come in handyCultivating Farm Experiences  Can Agritourism Add to Your Bottom Line?Assessing Your Skills and Resources for Agritourism Are You Ready to Host Visitors at Your Farm?Time Assessment:How much free time do you have per week? _______ Hours/weekTime you will devote to this new venture? _______  Hours/weekFamily or Friends to Support Development of your New VentureAre the members of your family or friends supportive of this new venture?_____ Yes _____ No _____ Not sure (If so, it’s time to talk!)Family Roles & SkillsWho Role(s) Skills/Qualities    Availability  (Hrs/week)1)2)3)4)SECTION 2: Experience Hosting VisitorsVisitor Profile: Description of current visitors (e.g., women’s clubs, 40-50 yrs old, income level) What do you offer them?Where do current visitors come from?List communities:How far are they traveling to visit your farm:____ Within 10 miles____ 11-20 miles____ 21-50 miles____ 51-100 miles____ 100 miles +Total Individual Visitors/Year: ______ Total Groups Hosted/Year: ______SECTION 3: Farm FacilitiesFirst Impressions: Yes No ImproveRoad signs at key intersections direct visitors to the farm?Is there a well placed farm sign at the property?Is it easy to find the driveway entrance?Is there good visibility to enter and exit safely?Is there a logical one-way traffic flow?Favorable first impression upon approaching the farm?Has the farm atmosphere been preserved?Is it easy to figure out where to park?Is there signage directing you to parking areas?Are there barriers defining the parking area?Is it easy to park once you find the parking area?Are parking spaces marked?Is there adequate space to pull in/out?Condition of Farm Lanes and Parking Lots: -- Relatively smooth? -- Free of potholes? -- Free of mud? -- Gravel to keep down dust?  -- Paved for ease of walking?Mowed lawn areas?Nicely landscaped grounds?Attractive flower beds and containers?Are displays visible, not blocked, from view by cars or other objects?Is interesting or antique farm equipment used?Are there places to sit – picnic tables/pavilion/benches?Is there a designated children’s area?Are there signs with instructions/information?Potential Outdoor Hazards:Yes No ImproveAre junk piles removed/eliminated?Have tripping hazards been eliminated?Is farm equipment safely out of the way?Are farm chemicals locked up out of sight?Are fuel tanks, pumps locked up?Are manure pits fenced?Are ponds fenced?Are pasture/paddocks fenced?Are electric fences marked?Livestock facilities:Is there double fencing to keep people away from animals?Are manure levels in barns and paddocks under control?Booties or footbaths provided for sanitation/disease prevention?Is there soap/water, antiseptic hand lotion/wipes for visitors?Signage to instruct people how to behave around animals?Is public access to animal paddocks/barns limited?Buildings:Describe the current use or potential use for each building. Describe each building and its condition:Building 1Building 2Building 3Disability access?Exterior nicely painted, in good repair?Building interior:Yes No ImproveEntrance clearly marked?Doorway wide enough (double door) for easy access?Floors are smooth, level?Bright, clean, well lit?Hazards eliminated?Clutter under control/out of view?SECTION 4: Retail FacilitiesLayoutCan customers see over displays?Can customers find the checkout?Are displays positioned for maximum exposure?Do high demand items draw people into the store?Are impulse items located near checkout?Retail Display EquipmentSimilar construction/style/vintageSturdy, safe, free of nails or splintersAttractive DisplaysArranged well, appealing, good use of contrast and colorVariety of sale unit sizes to meet shopper needsNice packagingOnly high quality products on display (well maintained)Displays changed periodically/seasonallyDecorationsIs there a predominant theme? Describe look:Is there consistency among decorations? (i.e., all antiques,all farm related, photos of farm scenes, etc.)Tablecloths, curtains, etc. made of complementary colors?Signage Yes No ImproveIs letter type consistent?Are the colors consistent?Use of farm logo in signage?Variety of signage (check all that apply):_____ Info signs_____ Product signs_____ Price signsCustomer Convenience (check all that apply)_____ Shopping basket/carts_____ Credit cards_____ Tasting_____ Recipes_____ Bathrooms_____ Seating areas_____ Guest books_____ Newsletter_____ Ordering info_____ Brochure with hours_____ Visitor information/nearby attractionsSECTION 5: Customer ServicePersonnel   Yes No ImproveAppearance is neat and clean. Wearing farm shirts/name tags?Greet customer?Helpful, courteous, cheerful, professional, enthusiastic (but not overbearing)Well informed about the farm and farm products/services?Conversational: Ask where are you from, how you heardabout farm, etc.Know about things to do in area; provide suggestions/directionsServices OfferedList all the things visitors can/will be able to see at your farm.List all the things visitors can/ will be able to do at your farm.List all the things visitors could buy at your farm.Activities available to visitors ANYTIME they visit:12345Activities that must be PRE-ARRANGED:12345Tours Offered Yes NoNeeds Improve-mentAre they well planned and delivered?Can they be tailored to groups’ interests?What is the name of the tour (s) offered?How long does each tour take?Who is the target audience?Events/FestivalsFestival Name?Timeframe?Purpose?How many people do you want to attend?Lodging OfferedType of Lodging (e.g., B&B, cabins, lodge, camping)Number of rooms/beds/spacesPrice RangeYes NoCould be developedServices Offered____ Meals: ____ Breakfast ____ Lunch ____ Dinner____ Farm tour____ Hands-on farm experiences.Describe:SECTION 6: Natural Areas InventoryAre these a resource for visitors?PondsWoodsHiking trailsScenic viewsHuntingFishingX-Country skiingBike trailsDescribe what would be involved in developing these resources. Resource Improvements1  )2) 3) 4)5)Other resources to explore:Adapted from: Getting Started in Agritourism , Monika Roth and Jim Ochterski, Cornell Cooperative ExtensionUNH Cooperative Extension - Sullivan County24 Main St., Newport, NH 03773603-863-9200

Agritourism Assessment Tool

https://scholars.unh.edu/context/extension/article/2521/viewcontent/Agritourism_Assessment_Tool.pdf

Agritourism Assessment Tool

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

UNH Scholars' Repository