Nova Scotia stretches 500 kilometres on a southwest-northeast axis from Cape Sable to Cape North, the shape of the province is often compared to that native delicacy, the lobster, with Cape Breton Island representing the outstretched claws, preparing to nip unsuspecting Newfoundland across the Cabot Strait.
The coastline of the uplands region is deeply indented, forming many good harbours, some of which are considered outstanding. Hundreds of islands dot the landscape along the entire Atlantic coast, most notably at St. Margarets Bay and Mahone Bay. Reefs and shoals abound, accounting for the many lighthouses erected along this coast. In many ways the Atlantic uplands coast epitomizes the North Atlantic coastline with its bare granite sheets plunging headlong into the raging surf to produce an awesome cataclysm between land and sea. When people think of Nova Scotia, they usually envisage the rocky granite shores of the uplands. Why Visit A Farm?
If you lived on a farm and have farmed for most of your life, you are likely wondering why people would pay money to visit a farm where you live and work daily. Why would urban dwellers want to stay on a farm, milk cows, ride a horse or pick stones?
Agri-tourism appeals to people who have lost touch with the land. More and more people want to see, touch, and taste what the farmer and the land have provided. They flock to farmer’s markets throughout Canada to get a little closer to the product produced by the farmers and the land.
In 1988, the renaissance began. Back then, there were only 60 farmers markets in Ontario. Now there are 130. Health conscious consumers want to know where their food comes from and how it gets to their table. Consumers are willing to pay for true freshness and also want to meet the farmers who produce their food. Argi-tourism is a concept that develops naturally from the values of today’s consumers. Besides these consumers, the graying population is interested in farm visits. These people long to return to a place and lifestyle they knew so many years ago. “Nostalgia, adventure and education are the primary reasons people are interested in agricultural tours. Older adults remember growing up on or near a farm,”
As a result of trends in our society, the popularity of farm visits will continue to rise and tourism dollars will flow into rural areas.
“When you think tourism, do you still see nothing but images of high rise city hotels? Think again, approximately 50% of the $4.5 billion spent by Ontario tourists in 1991 were spent in rural locations”
Demographics showing the potential for attracting more urban dwellers to the finer parts of Ontario are great. Farmers account for only 3.2% of Canada’s population (Canada Yearbook 94). With over 96% of the population living in urban areas, we have a large group of individuals who may be interested in visiting rural communities and farms. Is your farm one of these?
What Do You Have To Offer?
Questions to consider
There are several questions farmers must ask themselves before beginning the journey down the agri-tourism road.
- What does my farm have to offer?
- What products can I sell to visitors coming to my farm?
- Do I want people visiting my property on a regular basis?
- Do I like talking to people and answering their questions?
- Am I prepared to do the extra work necessary to prepare for a visit of 47 seniors on a bus tour?
- What other attractions are in the area?
- Are there other farms in the area willing to work as a partner on this project?
Other farm tours or rural attractions will encourage visitors to spend a day in the area.
- Do I want to hold major special events for large crowds or do I want to host small groups of visitors?
- Am I prepared and is my farm ready for animal rights activists who might visit my property?
If your enthusiasm is still high after answering these questions, then it is time to proceed.