LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Local farmers considering beginning or improving an agritourism venture have another opportunity to learn by participating in a followup workshop to be held July 7 at Six Sigma Ranch in Lower Lake.

Agritourism is defined as the, “business conducted by farmers or ranchers on their working agricultural, horticultural, or agribusiness operations for the enjoyment and education of visitors,” that is intended to promote farm products and to generate additional farm income, according to Ellie Rilla, co-author of “Agritourism and Nature Tourism in California,” who presented at the February 16, 2011 “Growing Agritourism” workshop in Ukiah as previously reported.

A followup workshop for those participants will be held at Six Sigma Ranch in Lower Lake, and any other Lake County farmer who could not attend the event in Ukiah are welcome to participate.

Funded by the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program and presented by the University of California's Small Farm Program, Agritourism Coordinator/Program Representative Penny Leff encourages all agricultural producers who are considering welcoming the public to their farm attend this workshop.

“Hosting visitors on a farm or ranch is a whole different business from farming or ranching,” Leff said. “No one can do it alone. This workshop is a chance for farmers and ranchers to get together with tourism professionals, insurance experts, and others to learn from each other and build some of the connections that support agritourism.”

The workshop will host discussions on planning and regulating round-table with planners and stakeholders, agritourism organization and event plans, developments and management challenges, collaborative promotion and cross-marketing, and agritourism 101 for beginners, all in small group settings.

Then a presentation by John Valentine and Kathy Lindquist of Nationwide Agribusiness about effective risk management programs, assessing liability insurance needs and options for agritourism operations will be given to workshop participants.

After the presentation, attendees are welcome to join a tour of Six Sigma Ranch and a discussion about Six Sigma's agritourism activities, challenges, successes, and plans and learn about the farm stay program at nearby Perini Ranch, also in Lower Lake.

There is no charge for the workshop, but registration is required.

The workshop will be held Thursday, July 7, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Six Sigma Ranch, 13372 Spruce Grove Road, Lower Lake, CA 95457.

To register, visit https://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=6480 or call Penny Leff at 530-752-7779.

For more information about Six Sigma Ranch, visit www.sixsigmaranch.com.

For more information about Perini Ranch, visit www.periniranch.net.

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