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Home , Agritourism, Ecotourism

DEFINITIONS WHY ECO-? Meets Agritourism

"We're longing for gung-ho, do-something, learn- something, give-back-something that based on will exhilarate us and leave us feeling good… visitation of a working farm or any agricultural, We want vacations that will allow us to experience horticultural or intimately the people and places we visit, while agribusiness operation not inadvertently polluting the environment or for the purpose of Governor’s Conference on Tourism contributing to an oppressive political regime, enjoyment, education, or March 8, 2005 and perhaps make the world a better place.” active involvement in the Serendipity & Renewing the Countryside activities of the farm or – Daniel and Sally Wiener Grotta, The Green Travel operation. Lisa Kivirist & John Ivanko Sourcebook SOURCE: Small Farm Center, University of California’s Division of and Natural Resources

DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS WHAT IS ECOTOURISM? Agritourism Ecotourism

Agritourism is closely related and often includes the TOURISM INDUSTRY direct of agricultural products to Responsible travel to NATURE TOURISM customers: natural areas that • Roadside stands conserves the GREEN TOURISM • Farm stands & wineries environment and • U-pick operations improves the well- • Community supported agriculture ECO-TOURISM • Farmers' markets being of local • Farm visits & farm stays people. • Petting stables • Special events: corn mazes, sleigh rides & haunted SOURCE: International Ecotourism Society, ecotourism.org barns. SOURCE: Renewing the Countryside

DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS WHAT IS ECOTOURISM? Who Is the “Ecotourist” Who is the “Ecotourist”

Those who implement and participate in ecotourism • Cultural Creatives activities strive to follow the following principles: • Social innovators (often ECONOMICALLY ENVIRONMENTAL working in non-profit world) VIABLE STEWARDSHIP • Minimize impact • Co-parenting parents • Build environmental & cultural awareness ECOTOURISM • Passionate about food & • Provide positive experiences for visitors & hosts drink • Provide direct financial benefits for conservation • Provide financial benefits & empowerment for MOST OF ALL: local people • Travel to experience, learn, SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY • Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, grow & contribute RESPONSIBILITY environmental & social climate

SOURCE: Renewing the Countryside SOURCE: International Ecotourism Society, ecotourism.org

1 TRENDS TRENDS CERTIFICATION Agritourism Ecotourism/Nature-based Scotland’s Approach Agritourism growth based on travelers: • Ecotourism increasing at annual rate of 10-30%, versus Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) is the world’s • Taking more and shorter trips overall tourism 4% annual rate largest national tourism ecolabel • Traveling more by car – Source: World Resources Institute • Looking for new experiences – Still only 1/10th of total industry (WTO) • Developed in Scotland in 2001 • Adding diversity to experiences • Traveling to help reconnect family • 40-50% inbound US travelers are nature tourists; 20- • Used throughout Europe, with over 420 members • Getting back to roots, food and land 40% -related • Assessed once every two years by registered – Source: International Ecotourism Society environmental auditors Reason for rural travel: • Enjoy rural scenery, pet farm animals, learn where • Wildlife viewing, $108 billion global industry (more than • Graded against over 120 measures of best practice food comes from, watch/participate in farm activities total cash receipts of US livestock industry) • Actual achieved projects & physical evidence needed SOURCE: Nature-based Tourism & Agritourism Trends, USDA/NRCS – Source: Center for Study of Rural America/US Fish & Wildlife

CERTIFICATION CRITERIA CERTIFICATION CRITERIA CERTIFICATION CRITERIA Scotland’s Green Tourism Business Scheme Scotland’s Green Tourism Business Scheme Scotland’s Green Tourism Business Scheme

GREEN PURCHASING MANAGEMENT ENERGY • Home-grown or • Environmental awareness • At least 50% of bulbs organically grown training > 50% of staff used are low energy bulbs vegetables • Monitoring feedback from • Use low energy appliances • Local fish and meat guests and visitors WATER WASTE COMMUNICATION • Use low flush toilets • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle • Written environmental • Use drip irrigation paper products policy on display systems • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle • Up-to-date list of green electronics tourism business scheme businesses

CERTIFICATION IN USA CERTIFICATION CRITERIA SUSTAINABLE BLEND Scotland’s Green Tourism Business Scheme Example: Eco-Friendly Lodging Agricultural = Ecotourism No accreditation or certification widely exists in USA • Information on walking and bicycling routes • Co-op America Business Network (coopamerica.org) • Staff carpools to work - members based on social & environmental criteria ( as well as other business sectors) WILDLIFE & • Business helps support • Green Hotels Association (greenhotels.com) wildlife or landscape - membership program for eco-hotels initiative • Business plants native • Green Seal (greenseal.org) trees and shrubs - certifies domestic hotels (and products) for fee

2 CASE STUDY CASE STUDY CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast

Elements of the “Good Life” • Hobby Farm, or Farmette • Experience of farm life • Two room B&B, plus other attractive to city or • Food Systems suburban dwellers businesses managed from home office • Tours of garden & • Energy Systems renewable energy • Outside Monroe, Wisconsin systems key asset • Living Systems • 5.5 acres on ridge • Some guests even help • Flock of free-range chickens, with chores! • “Right Livelihood” two llamas, and son, Liam

CASE STUDY CASE STUDY CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast

Food Systems Renewable Energy Systems: Renewable Energy Systems: .5 kW Photovoltaic (PV) System • Diversified farm 10 kW Bergey Wind Turbine operation featuring three growing fields • 4 120-Watt Kyocera modules • 120-foot tower • Raise crops to meet • Cantilevered off equipment • Produces over 7,000 kWhs/year 70% of food needs shed • Grow organically • Grid-interconnected system • Meets about 2% annual • Attend Eastside • Net cost $16,000, after Focus Farmers’ Market on on Energy cash-back award electricity needs Tuesdays (Madison) • Net cost $1,700, after Focus on Energy cash-back award

CASE STUDY CASE STUDY CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Renewable Energy Systems: Renewable Energy Systems: Renewable Energy Systems: & Solar Thermal System Woodstove for Winter Heat Energy Efficiency for Hot Water • ENERGY STAR appliances • Return to the hearth • 3 collectors - Maytag Neptune, Sun • Locally available wood at Frost refrigerator • Capture heat from little or no cost sunlight to heat water • Compact fluorescent bulbs • EPA certified, air-tight for domestic use • Low-E window inserts design (post 1990) • Estimated payback of • Line-dried laundry less than 5 years • Faucet aerators, caulking, hot water wrap

3 CASE STUDY CASE STUDY CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast

Living Systems: Natural Home Living Systems: Green Design Living Systems: Reducing Ecological Impacts • No-VOC products (paints, Strawbale greenhouse sealers, caulks) • Made from local straw bales • Trees for Travel certificates • Forest Stewardship Council • Earthen & Lime-cement • Water and soil restoration (FSC) certified woods plaster • Tree planting program at • Recycled products (tiles • Solar thermal heating cabin made from recycled system • Recycled paper, reuse & windshield glass) • Steel roof (very durable) free-cycle • Eco-cleaners, • Meet additional year-round • Exploring biodiesel; local food needs fuel organic/natural linens

CASE STUDY BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION WISCONSIN’S FUTURE? Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Harvesting Green “Green Rural Routes”

“Right Livelihood” • Direct energy savings ECOLOGICAL RESPONSIBILITY • Natural home & gardens Protecting, conserving and/or enhancing nature and • Celebrating local community the physical environmental health of the life- Work that is meaningful, satisfying, • Magnet for visitors sustaining . ecologically restorative and life-sustaining • Good PR opportunities • Business as unusual LOCAL ECONOMIC VITALITY “Be the change you seek.” • Take your tax credits on Supporting local economies, businesses and renewable energy communities to ensure economic vitality and – Mahatma Gandhi • Operating cleaner & greener sustainability. • A natural for agritourism operations This is a pilot program by Renewing the Countryside in Minnesota.

WISCONSIN’S FUTURE? “Green Rural Routes”

CULTURAL SENSITIVITY Respecting and appreciating cultures and to ensure the continued well-being of local or host cultures.

EXPERIENTIAL RICHNESS Providing enriching and satisfying experiences through active, personal and meaningful participation in, and involvement with, nature, places and/or cultures.

4 RESOURCES www.ruralrenaissance.org Literature Available Today www.innserendipity.com • Natural Home (renamed Natural Home & Garden) magazine • National Tour of Solar Homes (first Rural Renaissance: weekend in October) Renewing the Quest • Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living for the Good Life Fair (Midwest Renewable Energy Assoc.) By Lisa Kivirist & John Ivanko • Wisconsin Focus on Energy • Renewing the Countryside CONFERENCE SPECIAL PRICE: $19 (22% off list price, before tax) • Co-op America

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