
Agritourism is a way for Vermont farms to differentiate themselves through authentic experiences that strengthen the Vermont brand and increase product sales. Several organizations are working together to establish beneficial partnerships for marketing and technical assistance to support food, beverage, and farm tourism. However, bridging the divides between agriculture, education, and tourism comes with challenges. Farmers must acquire different skills than those used for producing food, and new facilities may be needed to accommodate visitors. Innovative enterprises test the boundaries of policy and regulation, which led to the passage of Act 143 in 2018, related to accessory on-farm businesses. A multi-state research project led by the University of Vermont is underway to address critical success factors for agritourism, but substantially more research and outreach is needed to fully understand the scale and scope of this sub-sector and the best ways to support farmers, their communities, and the local food system.