A new peak body has officially launched to represent and advocate on behalf of farmers who diversify into agritourism.
Agritourism Queensland support farming enterprises that provide agritourism offerings to protect their interests and ensure that opportunities are harnessed and challenges are navigated successfully.
The peak body has been established through a partnership between the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and the Queensland Government.
Prior to Agritourism Queensland, there was no representative body to advocate for and provide advice to primary producers with agritourism operations.
Agritourism Queensland President Kay Tommerup, who owns and runs Tommerup’s Dairy Farm, said agritourism provides a lot of opportunities for primary producers in Queensland.
“Increasingly, we are seeing consumers want to know where their food comes from and how it is produced,” Ms Tommerup said.
“At the same time, agritourism provides farmers the opportunity to maintain their viability through diversification, value-adding, or creating pathways to new markets for the sale of their produce.”
“Queensland leads the world when it comes to food, fibre and foliage production and has so much to offer through its diverse natural environment.”
“Agritourism provides a very real opportunity to provide consumers with greater connection to their food, while also providing farmers with new revenue streams leading to increased profitability and sustainability, which is good news for everyone.”
QFF CEO Jo Sheppard said the establishment of Agritourism Queensland will provide current agritourism operators and farmers wanting to diversify into agritourism with a voice and guidance.
“Agritourism presents many varied opportunities for farming enterprises in Queensland however there is a need to link policy for agricultural development and tourism to ensure the sector can leverage key opportunities,” Ms Sheppard said.
“Planning continues to be one of the key challenges for farms wanting to start an agritourism ancillary to their core business of farming and land management and it is these types of issues that Agritourism Queensland will be advocating on.”
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Mark Furner applauded Queensland Farmers’ Federation and Agritourism Queensland for this new initiative and the additional support it will give to Queensland farmers.”
For more information visit www.agritourismqueensland.au.
Agritourism Queensland will officially begin taking on members from July 1, 2024.
