Thomas Chesnutt
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
218 Extension Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849
(334) 844-3517, (334) 844-9022 fax

Arturo Menefee
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
216 Extension Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849
(334) 844-2307, (334) 844-9022 fax

The Alabama Agri-Tourism Trail is the most visible product of the Alabama Agri-Tourism Partnership. The Partnership was formed in June of 2003 with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System being the initiating organization. The other partners are Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, and Alabama Farmers Federation. The purposes of the partnership are to: (1) provide supplemental income for agricultural related operations; (2) assist rural communities in obtaining critical mass of tourist attractions; and (3) provide travelers with additional opportunities to experience the heritage and culture of the local area.

The Alabama Agri-Tourism Partnership launched the Web site for the Alabama Agri-Tourism Trail (www.AlabamaAgriTourism.com) in two stages. The first stage began in late 2003 and was directed to entrepreneurs, tourism organizations, farmers and agri-businesses encouraging them to list their attractions as components of the Trail. The second stage was launched in mid-February and directed to travelers. The tourist can search the Web site by type of activity and section of the state.

The Trail has been promoted effectively with limited resources, well received, and is Alabama’ sole listing on the national agri-tourism Web site, farmstop.com. All four partners have been actively involved with the Alabama Agri-Tourism Trail’s development and each has had a critical role. The presentation will identify all the steps involved in the Trail development, highlight the project’s strengths and weaknesses, expand on the role of each partner and the strengths they bring to the Partnership, and discuss future directions of the Partnership.

PowerPoint Presentation (PDF format, 2,114 kb)

Handout 1: Alabama Agri-Tourism Partnership (PDF format, 35 kb)

Handout 2: Action Alabama Communities in Transition (PDF format, 912 kb)