Bartholomew Named State’s New Agritourism Coordinator

To Lead Agritourism Workshops Across State

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Pamela Bartholomew has been named the state’s agritourism coordinator.  The post is a position with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Market Development Division at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville.

 

Bartholomew, a native of Decatur County, is responsible for promoting agritourism operations in Tennessee and coordinating efforts to help the state’s farmers explore opportunities to increase farm income through tourism-related farm activities. 

 

"Growing up on a farm I knew that I wanted to work in the agriculture industry and that I wanted to help people,” said Bartholomew.   “As agritourism coordinator I have an amazing opportunity to work with some of the most energetic and knowledgeable people in the state and across the nation while helping develop agritourism here in Tennessee."

 

“Agriculture is an evolving enterprise,” said Bartholomew, who received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education from the University of Tennessee at Martin.  “Farmers have always incorporated new crops, new equipment and changing consumer demands into their operations, and agritourism is just another logical step for farmers willing to share their way of life with non-farming neighbors.”

 

In Tennessee, agritourism is defined as an activity, enterprise or business which combines the primary elements of agriculture and tourism, providing an experience for visitors which stimulates economic activity and impacts both farm and community income.  Current successful agritourism enterprises in Tennessee include corn mazes, “pick-your-own” farms, orchards, farm tours, on-farm retail markets and festivals, on-farm animal exhibits, on-farm bed and breakfasts and on-farm equine trails.

 

“Agritourism operations in Tennessee host more than 3 million visitors every year,” says Bartholomew. “This new facet of Tennessee agriculture is already proving its potential, and my goal is to help interested farmers explore and maximize that potential.”

 

In August, Bartholomew will lead agritourism issues workshops in locations across the state and then January 17-18, 2008, a statewide agritourism conference at Paris Landing State Park.  

 

“These August workshops will be my first opportunity to get out and get to know better the farm people I serve, “ says Bartholomew.  “I hope that all our agritourism farmers will take the time to

come to one of these events so that I can start to get to know them, understand what they need from us and let them know about the opportunities we can offer.

 

“That’s what I’m really looking forward to,” says Bartholomew.  “Agritourism farmers are outgoing, generous people who are willing to share their farms and way of life with others.  I want to help them succeed as they look for new ways to keep farming—and keeping the public connected and committed to local farms—long into the future.” 

 

The statewide Tennessee Agritourism Initiative is a cooperative effort among the Tennessee Departments of Agriculture, Tourist Development, Economic and Community Development, UT Extension, University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and the newly formed Tennessee Agritourism Association. The aim of the initiative is to work with farmers, local chambers of commerce, visitor bureaus and others to build farm income through agritourism, expanding tourist income in rural communities and establishing a sustainable, long-term agritourism program. 

For more information on upcoming agritourism workshops or Tennessee agritourism, visit www.picktnproducts.org.  Contact Bartholomew at (615) 837-5348 or e-mail to Pamela.Bartholomew@state.tn.us.

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A hi-res photograph of Bartholomew is available by CLICKING HERE. 

This and other news releases from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture can be found at http://tennessee.gov/agriculture/news/index.html

Market Development/Pick Tennessee Products news releases can also be found at http://picktnproducts.org/press/index.html