Wildlife Recreation:
Rural America’s Newest Billion Dollar Industry
Jason Henderson Economist Center for the Study of Rural America
Rural America’s Newest Billion Dollar Industry
Jason Henderson Economist Center for the Study of Rural America
In today’s search for the next billion dollar industry to revitalize Main
Streets, many rural leaders are again pinning their hopes on nature.
New opportunities are not arising from traditional sources—
commodity industries like agriculture or mining.
Tomorrow’s opportunity may well be wildlife-related recreation—
already a $108 billion industry nationwide. To put that in perspective,
that amount was more than the total cash receipts of the U.S.
livestock industry in the same year.
In many rural places, hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching have
boosted rural tourism, spurred business growth, and contributed to
strong land value gains. The brightest prospects though, still lie
Streets, many rural leaders are again pinning their hopes on nature.
New opportunities are not arising from traditional sources—
commodity industries like agriculture or mining.
Tomorrow’s opportunity may well be wildlife-related recreation—
already a $108 billion industry nationwide. To put that in perspective,
that amount was more than the total cash receipts of the U.S.
livestock industry in the same year.
In many rural places, hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching have
boosted rural tourism, spurred business growth, and contributed to
strong land value gains. The brightest prospects though, still lie
ahead. Rural communities fortunate enough to have other amenities to complement their natural resource base
are in the best position to reap new economic benefits from this booming industry.
Alaska, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana have led the nation in per capita expenditures by out-of-state
residents for wildlife recreation. Rural businesses have been the primary beneficiary of the wildlife recreation
industry.
are in the best position to reap new economic benefits from this booming industry.
Alaska, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana have led the nation in per capita expenditures by out-of-state
residents for wildlife recreation. Rural businesses have been the primary beneficiary of the wildlife recreation
industry.
Agri-Tourism
The agricultural landscape is rapidly changing. Land is being converted to housing and other uses at an
alarming rate. In Eastern Montana they are moving off the farms into town, or simply moving away. One result
of this transformation is the loss of prime farmland near all of the major cities and many rural towns. Some
sectors of agriculture are moving into what some people call an industrialization stage, or the very large and
concentrated production of food and fiber. Some farmers don’t want to expand their operations, but few small
farms can yield traditional farm products and compete successfully in this marketplace. Some agricultural
sectors are in transition to new food and fiber production enterprises or to agritourism alternatives that will
help them maintain or increase their farm income, sustain their lifestyle, and conserve their natural resources.
This transition into alternative enterprises and agritourism is happening at an opportune time. Urban and
rural consumers alike are lining up, in several areas of the country, for food, fiber, and fun from the local
farmer or rancher.
Market research and experience show that:
The National Survey on Recreation and the Environment estimated that 63 million Americans visited farms
annually during the 2000–03 survey-period. This indicates that alternative enterprises and agritourism would
be a viable partner in most rural community development programs.
The agricultural landscape is rapidly changing. Land is being converted to housing and other uses at an
alarming rate. In Eastern Montana they are moving off the farms into town, or simply moving away. One result
of this transformation is the loss of prime farmland near all of the major cities and many rural towns. Some
sectors of agriculture are moving into what some people call an industrialization stage, or the very large and
concentrated production of food and fiber. Some farmers don’t want to expand their operations, but few small
farms can yield traditional farm products and compete successfully in this marketplace. Some agricultural
sectors are in transition to new food and fiber production enterprises or to agritourism alternatives that will
help them maintain or increase their farm income, sustain their lifestyle, and conserve their natural resources.
This transition into alternative enterprises and agritourism is happening at an opportune time. Urban and
rural consumers alike are lining up, in several areas of the country, for food, fiber, and fun from the local
farmer or rancher.
Market research and experience show that:
- Consumers today are looking for local, fresh, organically or naturally grown products and are, in most
cases, willing to pay extra for them. - More and more, consumers want to know who produced their food and how it is produced. Thus, they
support local farmers and the conservation of natural resources. - Children and adults are looking for the opportunity to engage in interactive educational and outdoor
activities. - Tourists and farm customers are interested in farm culture and heritage so they can better understand
agriculture. This opens the door for farmers and ranchers to provide an agricultural experience. - The public is looking for interactive experiences close to home that will help them get back to their
roots.
The National Survey on Recreation and the Environment estimated that 63 million Americans visited farms
annually during the 2000–03 survey-period. This indicates that alternative enterprises and agritourism would
be a viable partner in most rural community development programs.
It is difficult for a farm family to initiate this first step alone. Changing to
a new enterprise involves different production techniques, processing
methods, and marketing activities. The entrepreneur must also identify
and establish relationships with new networks and organizations that
can help support the transformation to new enterprises and provide
opportunities for the development of alternative enterprises and
agritourism.
Basic questions:
Alternative Enterprises - Marketing an existing farm or ranch product
differently, adding value before it is sold, or adding a new enterprise
(product or service) to existing enterprises on the farm or ranch. Also
referred to as enterprise diversification. Besides the production of food
and fi ber, alternative enterprises include the following activities:
a new enterprise involves different production techniques, processing
methods, and marketing activities. The entrepreneur must also identify
and establish relationships with new networks and organizations that
can help support the transformation to new enterprises and provide
opportunities for the development of alternative enterprises and
agritourism.
Basic questions:
- What can be done differently to sustain the resources and the
family? - What new enterprises might fi t with existing farm and ranch
enterprises? - Do markets exist for the products that can be grown or
produced, the services that could be provided, or the kinds of
recreational or educational activities that can take place on a
farm or ranch? - What federal, state, and local grant, loan, or conservation
programs can be used to help develop these enterprises? Are
private funds available?
Alternative Enterprises - Marketing an existing farm or ranch product
differently, adding value before it is sold, or adding a new enterprise
(product or service) to existing enterprises on the farm or ranch. Also
referred to as enterprise diversification. Besides the production of food
and fi ber, alternative enterprises include the following activities:
- Agritourism - Inviting the public onto a farm or ranch to
participate in various activities and enjoy an agricultural
experience. Agritourism enterprises include bed and
breakfasts, for-fee fi shing or hunting, pick-your-own fruits/
vegetables, corn mazes, farm markets, and much more. - Agritainment - Providing the public with fun on-farm or on-ranch
activities. Such activities include haunted houses, mazes,
miniature golf, horseback riding, hayrides, and the like. - Agrieducation - Formal and informal education about
agriculture through signage, tours, hands-on classes,
seminars, and other methods. Cultural and Heritage Tourism -
Use of historic and cultural attractions to teach visitors about
the past and present. - Direct Marketing - Any form of marketing in which a consumer
purchases a product or service directly from a producer. - Nature Tourism - Consumptive and non-consumptive use of
the natural resources. Nature tourism ranges from birding, rock
climbing, camping, hiking, stargazing, and even skydiving to
hunting and fishing. - Value-Added - A product whose appeal to consumers has
been increased through packaging, processing, marketing, or
production practices or services. Each step of adding value to a
product is an alternative enterprise.
Foreword
Taking the First Step was prepared in
response to requests from local
advisors, farmers, and ranchers for a
simple guide to the first step in
identifying alternative
income-producing agricultural
enterprises and agritourism
opportunities. The requests stipulated
that the guide be useful in developing
business and marketing plans to help
entrepreneurs reduce risk through
diversification of farm and ranch
enterprises. You may download (PDF)
the entire 60 page book by clicking on
the above image, or HERE
Taking the First Step was prepared in
response to requests from local
advisors, farmers, and ranchers for a
simple guide to the first step in
identifying alternative
income-producing agricultural
enterprises and agritourism
opportunities. The requests stipulated
that the guide be useful in developing
business and marketing plans to help
entrepreneurs reduce risk through
diversification of farm and ranch
enterprises. You may download (PDF)
the entire 60 page book by clicking on
the above image, or HERE
Cultural and heritage tourism is one of the fastest growing domestic and world tourism activities. Heritage
tourism satisfies a need for those looking for traditional values. Agriculture is unique in that many Americans
want to get back to their roots and learn about their country’s history. Others want to learn how their food and
clothing are produced. Many farmers and ranchers not only own historic buildings or property that includes
historic sites, but also know the history of their community and region. If you are willing to have people stay or
visit to learn about food and fiber production and the farming heritage, you should include this activity in your
business and marketing plan.
Several outlets are available to sell farm or ranch food and fiber products. These include on-farm sales, farmers’
markets, Community-Supported Agriculture restaurants, institutions, schools, consumer groups, Internet sales,
wholesale, grocery stores, and specialty markets. Most of the education, recreation, and agricultural experience
services will occur on the farm or ranch.
Ideas???? Farm/Ranch Recreation Possibilities
Here is a listing of potential activities to get you thinking about how your current operation and assets may be
augmented with a tourism/recreational enterprise. The options are limited only by imagination and regulations.
tourism satisfies a need for those looking for traditional values. Agriculture is unique in that many Americans
want to get back to their roots and learn about their country’s history. Others want to learn how their food and
clothing are produced. Many farmers and ranchers not only own historic buildings or property that includes
historic sites, but also know the history of their community and region. If you are willing to have people stay or
visit to learn about food and fiber production and the farming heritage, you should include this activity in your
business and marketing plan.
Several outlets are available to sell farm or ranch food and fiber products. These include on-farm sales, farmers’
markets, Community-Supported Agriculture restaurants, institutions, schools, consumer groups, Internet sales,
wholesale, grocery stores, and specialty markets. Most of the education, recreation, and agricultural experience
services will occur on the farm or ranch.
Ideas???? Farm/Ranch Recreation Possibilities
Here is a listing of potential activities to get you thinking about how your current operation and assets may be
augmented with a tourism/recreational enterprise. The options are limited only by imagination and regulations.
- Agriculture Food & Craft Shows
- Animal Feeding
- Archery Range
- Fossil / Rock Collecting
- Barn Dances (Square Dancing, etc.)
- Bed & Breakfast (Rural & Historical)
- Bird Watching & Wildlife Viewing
- Boating & Canoeing
- Camping / Picnicking
- Children’s Camp (Summer or Winter)
- Corporate picnics
- Cross-country Skiing
- Educational or Technical Tours
- Elderhostel
- Family Reunions
- Farm or Ranch Work Experience (roundup, haying,
- fencing, calving, cutting wood, etc.)
- Fee-Hunting
- Fee-Fishing (Ice Fishing in Winter)
- Floral Arrangements
- Flower Shows or Festivals
- Fly Fishing and Tying Clinics
- Food Festivals
- Gardens (flowers, greenery, herbs, dried flowers)
- Guided Crop Tours
- Guiding and Outfitting
- Habitat Improvement Projects
- Harvest Festivals
- Hay Rides / Sleigh Rides
- Hiking / Cave Exploring
- Historical Museums and Displays (Ag History,
- Machinery, etc.)
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting Dog Training & Competition
- Off-Road Motorcycling, ATV, Mountain Biking
- Pack Trips
- Petting Zoo
- Photography / Painting
- Ranch Skills (horseshoeing, leatherwork, camp
- cooking, horse training, etc.)
- Roadside Stands & Markets
- Rock Climbing
- Rodeo
- Self-Guided Driving Tours
- School & Educational Tours and Activities
- Snowmobiling
- Swimming
- Trap & Skeet Shooting
- Tubing & Rafting
- U-Pick Operations
- Wagon Trains
- Wilderness Experiences
Recreation
- The economic value of recreation is a sustainable resource that can be a boon to local economies. The
economy of many towns have been built exclusively through aggressive event promotions. A simple 5K
run, trail ride or a bird festival can put thousands of extra dollars into circulation for communities.
- Energy
- Environment
- Transportation
- Health & Fitness
- Sports & Recreation
- Environment
- Transportation
- Health & Fitness
- Sports & Recreation
Eastern Montana Economic
Solutions and Opportunities
Solutions and Opportunities
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