by Dr. Carla Barbieri, Associate Professor, NC State University
Women play a crucial role in agritourism development; yet, they face unique challenges that may hinder their entrepreneurial success. To strengthen the sustainable growth of women in agritourism, Dr. Susan Jakes (NC State University) and I led the NC Women in Agritourism project that investigated how women in North Carolina envision their agritourism success, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they see to develop further their enterprises.
Based on our results, our team formulated a series of outreach materials, which includes five educational videos. The featured farmers in these videos are Sandra Sarlinga of Piemonte Farm, Mandie & Jane Boahn of Raised in a Barn Farm, Tina Gross of Gross Farms, and Susan Ward of Brothers On Farms.
If you’re a sucker for trailers, here’s a preview:
The first video, NC’s Women in Agritourism, embedded below, provides a broad picture of agritourism. Different stakeholders (farmers, extension agents, and faculty) talk about the role of women in agriculture and the different benefits of agritourism.
Voices of North Carolina’s Women in Agritourism is a series of four short videos (2.5 minutes each) in which women in agritourism share a practice they found critical to their own success:
One: Leading Not Following: Know Your Customers
Two: Building Connections: Make Yourself at Home
Three: Getting Involved: Take a Seat at the Table
Four: Educating the Public: Show Them What It Takes
(All photos and videos courtesy of NC State)