AGRITOURISM FAM TRIP

In early October, Kansas Tourism hosted three travel writers from throughout the Midwest (Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois) for an all-inclusive Agritourism Familiarization (FAM) Trip. This initiative, and more to come, are aimed to highlight local producers and showcase farm-based experiences in the Sunflower State. By bringing travel writers and influencers from across the U.S. to experience Kansas' farm-to-table offerings, outdoor activities, and unique agricultural attractions, we’re promoting Kansas as a premier agritourism destination. Through their shared experiences, these writers help reach new audiences and elevate our state's agricultural treasures. During the trip, we visited the following locations!

Amy's Meats at the Homestead
Circle S Ranch & Country Inn
Coffey Grounds Farm
Hidden Valley Wilderness Retreat
Isinglass Vineyard & Winery
Juniper Hill Farm & Table 
KC Pumpkin Patch / KC Wine Co
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site
Providence Hill Farm

Some of the writers have already published stories to their blogs! Read about the experiences they shared with their audiences by clicking below! 

BARN FEST

The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council is excited to announce Barn Fest- a two-day educational event all about rural historic resources and barn preservation in Douglas County. This event will be held on November 8 and 9, 2024 and will be free to attend, thanks in part to grant funding from the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office. Barn Fest will lead off with an all-day workshop on November 8th in Lecompton, KS, featuring speaker sessions that highlight steps to barn preservation, an introduction to rural architecture, and a dive into the full lifecycle of barns in our region. The second day of Barn Fest on November 9^th will be a guided tour of six historic barns and structures across Douglas County. Drive on your own or join a carpool that will begin in Lecompton! All with an interest in historic preservation are welcome to attend! Registration for this event will be required as spots for each day are limited. To learn more about the event and register click below! 

KS TOURISM CONFERENCE

This past week our entire team attended the KS Tourism Conference in Olathe, KS. The 2024 Kansas Tourism Conference in Olathe was a resounding success, bringing together industry professionals to share insights, network, and promote Kansas as a top destination. The conference underscored the importance of collaboration in enhancing tourism across the state. If you were unable to attend, presenter information and resources are available online to help you catch up on the valuable sessions. Be sure to join us for next year’s conference in Manhattan, October 20-21, 2025, for another round of inspiration and growth in Kansas tourism!

GRANT WRITING WORKSHOPS

Kansas State University offers a Grant Writing course, available both online and in-person, with several upcoming dates. This course helps participants learn how to research funding opportunities, write effective proposals, and manage grant applications. It’s ideal for individuals looking to enhance their grant-writing skills.

Are you looking for ways to improve your marketing or small agritourism business but aren't sure how?

We are excited to invite you to participate in the K-State Global Food Systems Seed Grant project, which provides financial support for agritourism operators in Kansas to engage in three different learning opportunities to help you achieve just that!

• Center for Rural Enterprise Engagement Insight Summit (digital marketing online course)
• College of Business Administration microcredentials (business planning and strategic innovation)
• KSU Wildcat Consulting (business development plans). 

To indicate your interest in a learning opportunity and engaging in the research, please click the button below!

For questions, contact either kelsey.wendling@ks.gov or nlhill@ksu.edu

RECENTLY ROAMED

Exploring the incredible destinations, you provide is one of the highlights of my job! Getting the chance to visit and experience your locations firsthand helps me better understand your needs and allows me to better market your operations to visitors! In the past month, I had the pleasure of visiting:

Click the links below to discover more!

Judy McCarty Dairy Learning Center
Tri-State Antique Engine & Thresher Museum

If you'd like me to visit your site next, feel free to reach out via email or phone, and I'd be delighted to arrange a visit. Let's discuss how I can further support you and your operation!

NEW MEMBERS!

39th Parallel Nursery and Orchards
Wild Ivy Herb Farm
Smith-Forio & Company
Baldwin City Distillery and Orchard
Wade Ranch
Red's Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
Premier Prairie Gardens
Wilderson Tree Farm
Diamond J Ranch