Agritourism Businesses Registered in MarketMaker   
Posadas, B.C. Mississippi MarketMaker Newsletter, Vol. 7, No. 6, Mar. 21, 2017.

As defined by the University of California Cooperative Extension, Small Farm Program, “agritourism is a commercial enterprise at a working farm, ranch, or agricultural plant conducted for the enjoyment of visitors that generates supplemental income for the owner. Agritourism and nature-tourism enterprises might include: (1) Outdoor recreation (fishing, hunting, wildlife study, horseback riding), (2) Educational experiences (cannery tours, cooking classes, or wine tasting), (3) Entertainment (harvest festivals or barn dances), (4) Hospitality services (farm stays, guided tours, or outfitter services), (5) On-farm direct sales (u-pick operations or roadside stands).”

According to the USDA NASS 2012 Census of Agriculture Highlights, over 33,000 farms offered agritourism and recreational services such as farm or winery tours, hayrides, hunting, fishing, and other such activities in 2012. MSU Extension Service experts on agritourism state that “agritourism can benefit Mississippi’s farmers, landowners, and community members. Specifically, agritourism can positively impact education, agriculture, income, and employment.”

In 2014, total expenditures on fishing trips made by for-hire boats created economic impacts of $3.1 billion and generated more than 24,000 jobs in the United States (NOAA Economics Program). These estimates exclude expenditures on durable equipment by for-hire boats.

Total hunting expenditures made by 13.7 million hunters in 2011 reached $34 billion in the United States (U.S. Fish & Wildlife). This estimate includes expenditures on durable equipment by hunters.

The tourism sector in MarketMaker includes agritourism, fishing charter, and hunting businesses. There are more than 2,300 tourism businesses registered in MarketMaker. Using Search, we can create an online database of the three types of tourism business. Click this LINK to view the online database of 2,300 tourism businesses.

When Search is limited to Mississippi businesses only, there are currently 60 agritourism, fishing charter, and hunting businesses. A selection of the Search results are shown in a database and map (Figure 1) generated by MarketMaker. Click this LINK to view the online database of 60 tourism businesses operating in Mississippi. Of the 60 businesses, 26 are fishing charters, and one offers hunting services.

Another MarketMaker tool can be used to create an online database and map of tourism businesses. Using Market Research, an online list and map of all the tourism businesses in Mississippi (Figure 2) can be generated by performing the following steps:

Go to http://ms.foodmarketmaker.com/main/market_research.
Under Advance Filters, select Tourism and click Done.
Click Submit Search.

In order to limit the Market Research to agritourism businesses only in Mississippi, the procedures are as follows: 

Go to http://ms.foodmarketmaker.com/main/market_research.
Under Advance Filters, select Tourism, and Agritourism, and click Done.
Click Submit Search.

More than 36,000 web users visited Mississippi MarketMaker since May 2014 (Figure 3). These web users visited more than 76,000 pages and opened about two pages per visit.  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is MarketMaker?
MarketMaker is the largest and most in-depth database of its kind, featuring a diverse community of food-related businesses: buyers, farmers/ranchers, fisheries, farmers markets, processors/packers, wineries, restaurants, and more. MarketMaker provides simple yet powerful search tools to connect with others across the production and distribution chain (http://ms.foodmarketmaker.com/).

Where can you find Mississippi MarketMaker?
MarketMaker is located at http://ms.foodmarketmaker.com/.  
Ask Siri or Cortana to search for “Mississippi MarketMaker” on your smart phone.

How do you register your food business in Mississippi MarketMaker?
Click Register and type your email address and a password in the spaces under Register. Be prepared to enter information (and pictures) about your business.

What are the benefits in registering your food business in Mississippi MarketMaker?
Producers register their businesses in MarketMaker because food buyers of all types access our database to find products and services to meet their specific needs. Through MarketMaker, producers can reach more buyers and more efficiently form profitable business alliances.

How do you search for your business profile in Mississippi MarketMaker?
Click Search and type the name of your business in the space under Search MarketMaker.

How do you update your business profile in Mississippi MarketMaker?
Click Register and then click UPDATE YOUR PROFILE. Type your email address and password in the spaces under Account Login. Be prepared to enter updated information (and pictures) about your business.

MarketMaker Training Workshops
This training workshop is available upon request by a group of 6-12 producers, extension agents, state regulatory agencies staff, and teachers. Each workshop will best fit the needs of the participants. Email Dr. Ben Posadas for details at ben.posadas@msstate.edu.

How do you search for local food businesses in Mississippi MarketMaker?
Click Search and type a keyword in the space under Search MarketMaker.

What is the Market Research tool of MarketMaker?
The MarketMaker research tool is an interactive mapping resource for identifying target markets, developing customized census profiles, and mapping food related businesses over demographic maps.

Where do you find the Market Research tool in MarketMaker?
Look for the Market Research section in MarketMaker and click Research your market now or Use previous version.