Agriculture is Mississippi’s largest industry, so it should not be surprising to find that agritourism is one of the state’s fastest growing tourist markets, generating around $150 million every year!

Agritourism is defined as a commercial enterprise that combines tourism with agricultural production or processing to attract visitors to a farm, ranch or other agricultural business. And Mississippi is arguably the ideal standard for diverse agritourism operations. From u-pick farms and exotic animal safaris to artisan shops and wine tastings, nobody knows agricultural entertainment like the Magnolia State.

For years, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) has managed the Mississippi Agritourism Program, which supports and promotes the state’s agritourism operations.

“Agritourism is an incredibly unique industry that offers experiences the average person would not normally have the opportunity to experience,” said Katie Sansing, director of MDAC’s Agritourism Program. “And in Mississippi, our farmers, ranchers and producers offer a variety of agricultural adventures to the public.”

“Individuals can pick their own blueberries and strawberries; children can interact with livestock they wouldn’t typically encounter; families can pick their favorite pumpkins and cut that perfect Christmas tree during season; and all can experience working farms, from historic demonstrations with a horse and plow to modern-day operations,” continued Sansing. “There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy.”

Currently, MDAC has over 100 registered agritourism venues listed around the state. These operations provide educational and fun entertainment for visitors, while also supplementing income for the owners. Agritourism is a vital component to Mississippi’s overall economic development, serving as a driving force for local economies.

Mississippi’s rich agricultural heritage is filled with great innovation and success, and that success continues to this day, even as agriculture itself constantly changes with time. More and more farmers are expanding their day-to-day operations to include untapped markets, such as agritourism. This development is a both an entertaining and educational opportunity for more Mississippians to learn where their food, clothing and shelter comes from, and the incredible process of making those finished products we see on the grocery store shelves, in boutiques and home improvement shops.

Another increasingly popular aspect of agritourism is community fairs and festivals. These agricultural events not only support local producers, but also promote the community and bring consumers to the downtown areas of small towns for additional shopping. Gatherings at Sweet Potato, Watermelon and Pecan Festivals, as well as county fairs, showcase Mississippi’s agricultural prowess. Visitors encounter livestock shows, harvested foods and more direct from the farm.

Our many agritourism farms welcome everyone to a way of life that lies at the heart and soul of Mississippi. The charm, hospitality and warm spirit of the people who live this rural life across our great state creates an ambiance distinctly unique to Mississippi. So, when planning your next adventure, look no further than our state’s own agritourism operations!

As you prepare to visit some of our state’s outstanding farms, you may want to keep these tips in mind to ensure that you make the most of your visit and create memories that will last a lifetime:

1. Dress Comfortable. Remember that you will be on a working farm so comfortable shoes and dress are a must. You will probably be doing some walking. If you will be visiting during the day, you may want to bring along sunscreen and a hat. For late afternoon or night activities, you may want to have mosquito repellent handy.
2. Bring extra money. The cost of admission varies for each farm. It is always good to bring extra money with you in addition to the admission fee. Many farms have a store where you can purchase a variety of goodies ranging from jams and jellies made on the farm to t-shirts, toys, snacks and other souvenirs.
3. Allow yourself plenty of time. Just as you would when visiting any other attractions, allow ample time to explore the entire farm. You can find lots of different activities at the various agritourism operations across the state. Depending on the number of visitors, you may have a small wait to participate in some of these activities.
4. Come prepared to the farm. Do some research ahead of time by calling the farm or visiting the farm’s website or social media pages to discover more about the farm’s offerings and to inquire if there is anything extra that you may want to bring to enhance your experience. For instance, if you are visiting a u-pick farm, you may want to inquire if you need to bring your own baskets or buckets for the produce that you pick or if they will be made available to you.

To learn more about MDAC’s Agritourism Program and our state’s numerous agritourism farms, visit www.msagritourism.org.