 |
||
 |
||
 |
 |
|
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
|
Eckert AgriMarketing Newsletter (click here for directory of past newsletters)
April 2005
I want to thank everyone who took last month's survey regarding my next book. It is so refreshing to have so many of you respond. We are still tabulating the responses, but there is no question that you folks are eager to grow! I'm starting to get the feeling that this will be a special year for AgriTourism. With the price of gasoline going up and up, it will be up to us to attract visitors to our farms. On the one hand, I think we may see more local visitors, the folks from nearby cities who may opt to just do day trips this year instead of trying to drive seven states and "see America." But it is also likely that there will probably be less folks who just happen to be traveling through the state, and stop by for a great afternoon farm experience. So what do we do? Promotions!
You've heard me talk about the five pieces of the marketing pie, and they have never been more important than they are now! Now's the time! Let's do it! Jane What If Your First Impression Was Your Only One! Recently, I talked with a farmer who usually has one, and only one chance to really WOW his customers. One chance, and then he knows that they probably will never return again to his property. Most of us in agritourism build our business through those important repeat customers, families that return season after season, year after year. And when they return, they've brought their friends with them. So what do you do when you've just got that one big chance? Ali'i Kula Lavender Farms
But alas, one visit, and most of Chang's customers are gone. Often, gone for good, since Hawaii, for most of us, is a "once in a lifetime" visit. So then what? Farm Revenues climb ---Thanks to the Internet! Ali'i Kula Lavender has found ways to keep those one- time visitors coming back, but now, his guests return through cyber-space. Over 80% of the farm revenues come from Retail Sales and a growing percentage of those sales comes through their On- Line store via the Internet. More About the Aki'i Kula Online Marketing Program Extra Revenue May Be Flying Over Your Head! There was an interesting article in the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star recently about the migration of a half million cranes that travel through central Nebraska each spring. Another survey cited, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2001, found that 46 million Americans consider themselves birders. And about 18 million of those reported that they travel annually to pursue their passion. As you read this article, think about the migrations flying overhead here in Kansas. How can your farm, or your farm and tourism partnership, provide vantage points, housing, and educational opportunities for the flocks of migrating tourists that are following the birds? Birds Help Their Own Cause by Attracting Watchers Kentucky Funds AgriTourism Projects The program is part of a state effort to revitalize the farm economy. Since the inception of the program in January 2001, the Agriculture Development Board has approved more than 1,950 proposals committing more than $17 million to an array of county, regional and state projects designed to increase net farm income and create sustainable new farm-based business enterprises. The deadline for the next round of applications is Aug. 1. Read About These Kentucky Farms
|
Well here we go. Its spring almost everywhere, and everyone is out plowing, planting, and painting.
Alii Chang is the "lavender visionary" for Ali'i Kula Lavender Farms in Maui, Hawaii. The 50- minute walking tour through rolling fields of lavender is an absolute must for any visitor to the islands. Though lavender is not native to Hawaii, Chang has successfully cultivated more than 45 different varieties for taste and aroma. Nestled along the skirt of Haleakala, the view from the lavender farm is absolutely breath taking.
According to their website, http://www.a liikulalavender.com, Ali'i Kula Lavender is the only place in the world that has certain types of Lavender that bloom year around. "People want to see, touch and learn about Lavender," says Chang. "Lavender is kind of mystical and mysterious to many. We found that people are interested in learning about lavender, and began offering Garden Tea Tours and Garden Culinary Luncheon Tours as part of our agricultural operation to educate the public on its uses."
