A new state effort is getting under way to encourage consumers to do business with Arkansas farmers and to bring more growers into the agritourism industry.

The Arkansas Agritourism Initiative is intended to help consumers find local vendors as well as farms that offer tours or other attractions. Organizers are launching a Web site Saturday that will help promote the industry through the state's tourism department and other avenues.

The site is www.arkagritourism.org.

The groups are also encouraging more farmers to branch into retail. Joe Foster is program coordinator with the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute at Petit Jean Mountain and one of the initiative organizers. He says that, if farmers really believe in what they are doing and want to share their experiences on the farm with others, seeking out ways to reach consumers may be the right move.

Larry Odom of Holland Bottom Farm outside of Cabot says a farmer taking on a venture with the public will have to be prepared to adopt a new perspective. He said that a farmer will be marketing both the farm and the farmer.



(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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