Higher gas prices mean less travel and tourism which means no boost to our economy…we can't afford to fly OR drive anywhere! Have you heard those words recently? At this writing the average price of gasoline has crept closer to $4 a gallon. A month ago, gasoline was nearly 53 cents cheaper and a year ago it was more than 85 cents cheaper. Can Carlsbad's drive market visitors afford a vacation this year or will they come anyway and stay longer?
Everyone has found his or her share of trouble in the current economy, and as times get more extreme the economy needs help. What if you could make a difference in your current local economy just by shopping locally? Industrial markets flood the scene, but consumers hold the power. Local farms in your neighborhood could help make a difference if the consumer would be more conscious about their decisions.
With little doubt, in today's economy, agricultural tourism (agritourism) has bloomed and has actually helped the agricultural industry in a natural way. Results from visitor studies indicate that agritourism has a substantial economic impact on local economy.
Agritourism is defined as any business conducted by a farmer for the enjoyment or education of the public to promote the products of the farm and to generate additional farm income. Agritourism can be an effective tool to educate consumers about local agriculture, its issues and its importance for the county's economy and quality of life. Agritourism also showcases the diversity and uniqueness of local agriculture, thereby increasing the visibility and the appeal of locally grown products.
Agritourism opportunities are becoming more popular in San Diego County, such as agricultural festivals, farm visits, farm tours, demonstration farms, farm stays, wineries, nursery trails and agricultural museums. The county of San Diego has about 48 certified farmers markets that literally operate every single day of the week. Making it allowable for any local citizens to come and experience one of the many local farmer's markets. Agritourism enhances the appeal and demand for local products, fosters regional marketing efforts and creates value added and marketing opportunities that may stimulate economic activity. It can be an excellent tool to educate the public about the importance of agriculture and its contribution to the county's economy and quality of life.
Carlsbad is well known as a premier resort destination for its beautiful beaches, ideal climate, and is a popular vacation destination. The Flower Fields at Carlsbad is one of Southern California's most popular agritourism attractions. Carlsbad's residents are aware that The Flower Fields are a working farm where ranunculus and other flowers are grown for the production of bulbs. As a by-product , the bloom of the ranunculus plants produces a marvelous display of color that attracts thousands of visitors annually.
Decreasing profit margins in the bulb-growing operation led The Flower Fields to add a visitor services enterprise to capture revenues from the large number of people attracted to the site. As a result, The Flower Fields opened to the public as an attraction in 1993. Since then, visiting this site has become a tradition for local residents and a popular springtime attraction for travelers to Southern California. The site attracts over 200,000 people annually during the 10-week blooming season and has stimulated economic activity in the area.
According to The Flower Fields records, an estimated 200,000 people visited the site during the spring of 1998, with approximately 150,000 paid admissions. These visitors often traveled in groups, with an average size of 3.77 people per group, for an estimated total of 53,028 visitor groups for the season. Visitors engaged in various activities and visited.
Agritourism has become big business in California. Roadside stands selling freshly picked fruits and vegetables have become a common site on many valley roads, but in recent years those stands have gone from glorified lemonade stands to serious financial investments. The stands translate to a steady stream of income for many farmers. Pressure from the current state of the economy has forced farm owners to step back find new ways to bring in the cash.
Carlsbad's Bistro West and West Steak & Seafood now offers an authentic farm-to-table experience with organic vegetable offerings picked fresh daily from a new-one acre organic farm. Located in Carlsbad, the plot of land is producing a 100 percent organic harvest with more than 25 different vegetables. Chef Eugenio Martignago's organic creations from the farm have become daily specialties at each restaurant.
In addition to inspiring new creations at both restaurants, Martignago says the West farm provides additional benefits such as guaranteed freshness, control over 100 percent organic production, variety and cost. In the future, Martignago expects to offer public tours of the farm and incorporate special “fresh daily” dinners with wine pairings, specialty cooking classes and a weekly farm report for dinner guests at both restaurants.
Everyone has found his or her share of trouble in the current economy, and as times get more extreme the economy needs help. What if you could make a difference in your current local economy just by shopping locally? Industrial markets flood the scene, but consumers hold the power. Local farms in your neighborhood could help make a difference if the consumer would be more conscious about their decisions.
With little doubt, in today's economy, agricultural tourism (agritourism) has bloomed and has actually helped the agricultural industry in a natural way. Results from visitor studies indicate that agritourism has a substantial economic impact on local economy.
Agritourism is defined as any business conducted by a farmer for the enjoyment or education of the public to promote the products of the farm and to generate additional farm income. Agritourism can be an effective tool to educate consumers about local agriculture, its issues and its importance for the county's economy and quality of life. Agritourism also showcases the diversity and uniqueness of local agriculture, thereby increasing the visibility and the appeal of locally grown products.
Agritourism opportunities are becoming more popular in San Diego County, such as agricultural festivals, farm visits, farm tours, demonstration farms, farm stays, wineries, nursery trails and agricultural museums. The county of San Diego has about 48 certified farmers markets that literally operate every single day of the week. Making it allowable for any local citizens to come and experience one of the many local farmer's markets. Agritourism enhances the appeal and demand for local products, fosters regional marketing efforts and creates value added and marketing opportunities that may stimulate economic activity. It can be an excellent tool to educate the public about the importance of agriculture and its contribution to the county's economy and quality of life.
Carlsbad is well known as a premier resort destination for its beautiful beaches, ideal climate, and is a popular vacation destination. The Flower Fields at Carlsbad is one of Southern California's most popular agritourism attractions. Carlsbad's residents are aware that The Flower Fields are a working farm where ranunculus and other flowers are grown for the production of bulbs. As a by-product , the bloom of the ranunculus plants produces a marvelous display of color that attracts thousands of visitors annually.
Decreasing profit margins in the bulb-growing operation led The Flower Fields to add a visitor services enterprise to capture revenues from the large number of people attracted to the site. As a result, The Flower Fields opened to the public as an attraction in 1993. Since then, visiting this site has become a tradition for local residents and a popular springtime attraction for travelers to Southern California. The site attracts over 200,000 people annually during the 10-week blooming season and has stimulated economic activity in the area.
According to The Flower Fields records, an estimated 200,000 people visited the site during the spring of 1998, with approximately 150,000 paid admissions. These visitors often traveled in groups, with an average size of 3.77 people per group, for an estimated total of 53,028 visitor groups for the season. Visitors engaged in various activities and visited.
Agritourism has become big business in California. Roadside stands selling freshly picked fruits and vegetables have become a common site on many valley roads, but in recent years those stands have gone from glorified lemonade stands to serious financial investments. The stands translate to a steady stream of income for many farmers. Pressure from the current state of the economy has forced farm owners to step back find new ways to bring in the cash.
Carlsbad's Bistro West and West Steak & Seafood now offers an authentic farm-to-table experience with organic vegetable offerings picked fresh daily from a new-one acre organic farm. Located in Carlsbad, the plot of land is producing a 100 percent organic harvest with more than 25 different vegetables. Chef Eugenio Martignago's organic creations from the farm have become daily specialties at each restaurant.
In addition to inspiring new creations at both restaurants, Martignago says the West farm provides additional benefits such as guaranteed freshness, control over 100 percent organic production, variety and cost. In the future, Martignago expects to offer public tours of the farm and incorporate special “fresh daily” dinners with wine pairings, specialty cooking classes and a weekly farm report for dinner guests at both restaurants.