KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — A new study of the state's agritourism industry estimates that its economic impact in Tennessee more than doubled between 2006 and 2012.
Researchers with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture estimate visitors to Tennessee agritourism operations in 2012 spent more than $34 million directly and more than $54 million in total.
Those estimates are based on survey responses from 171 Tennessee agritourism farms.
Marie Lloyd is the owner of Clearview Horse Farm in Bedford County. Her operation draws visitors to Tennessee from all over the world.
“Just this year alone we’ve had people from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Switzerland, Norway, France – a lot of people from Germany. You know, they’ll come from Ohio, Forida – a lot from Alabama, Kentucky, Texas."
The most common types of Agri-tourism activities in Tennessee are on-farm retail markets, school field trips, event hosting, pick-your-own product operations, wagon rides and farm tours.