A WIN FOR FARMERS, VISITORS AGRITOURISM SPROUTS ON FARMS By Jennifer Youssef The Detroit News Whether plowing mazes through cornfields or establishing wineries and cider mills on their farms, more Michigan growers are adding tourist attractions to their property. Agritourism, which entails a variety of on-farm activities, is a growing industry in the state , agricultural experts say. Farm tours, petting zoos, u-pick and other activities fall under the realm of agritourism. 'This is a way to differentiate from the superstores,' said Steve Tennes, president of the Michigan Farm Marketing and Agri-tourism Association, which promotes agritourism. 'If we don't differentiate ourselves, we'll die.' The association, which started three years ago with 57 farmers and now has 270 members, publishes a directory of Michigan farms that offer some kind of agritourism and distributes them to Michigan residents, welcome centers and farm bureaus, Tennes said. In 2008, it published 16,000 copies of the directory; last year, it published 80,000 copies as demand increased, he said. Farms offer consumers more than just food, Tennes said. Shoppers can't get the same experience at a grocery store that they can by spending a day on the farm, picking their own produce or Christmas trees, interacting with the growers and spending time with their families, he said. 'They'll never be able to import that from China,' he said. The agritourism association is part of the new Michigan Culinary Tourism Alliance, which formed last month and will promote the state's unique dining experiences, Tennes said. The association also is working with tourism officials to include agritourism in its popular Pure Michigan advertising campaign, he said. Michigan's tourism industry generates more than $18 billion annually. Agri-business, which is considered the state's second-largest industry, generates $71.3 billion a year. Agritourism benefits farmers because it doesn't cost much money to get started, and it brings families and tour groups to the farm to buy their products, said Bob Tritten, a horticulture educator at Michigan State University Extension. 'It's an important road to the future,' Tritten said. 'It's not the godsend to save all farms, (but) is offers something different and unique.' Spicer Orchards Farm Market and Cider Mill in Fenton is trying to capitalize on the burgeoning agritourism industry. Winery opens The farm has long had a petting zoo, hay fort and other activities for children. In May, it opened a winery for the adults 'to attract more business,' manager Will Cartwright said. 'It's another way to market our fruit,' he said. For Abby Jacobson and her sister Katrina Schumacher, who operate Westview Orchards and Cider Mill in Romeo, opening up their property to the public 15 years ago was a great decision. It ensures 'a more steady cash flow,' said Jacobson, a sixth-generation farmer. When fruit and vegetable sales at Westview's farm market began declining in the mid-1990s, the sisters knew they would either have to sell some of the land or diversify to survive. So they expanded their family's nearly 200-year-old farm to include a corn maze, petting zoo and tours, a bakery and a cider mill. The sisters are always thinking of new ways to make the farm more attractive to tourists. Last year, they turned an old one-room schoolhouse on the property into an ice cream shop. Just having crops is risky, and if the weather doesn't cooperate, growers will take a severe financial hit, Jacobson said. Spreading out Crop farmers have only a small window of time to grow, harvest and sell their goods; but spreading money-making opportunities across a variety of ventures, such as agritourism, will provide a cushion if the harvest is bad. 'I think you just have to find your niche,' she said. Allowing visitors on Middleton Berry Farm in Ortonville to pick their own raspberries and strawberries and interact with the animals at the petting zoo not only increases owner Bob Middleton's bottom line, but it also helps him get the work done faster. 'People like it (and) it helps me get my crop picked,' he said. 'I don't like to pick.' jyoussefdetnews.com (313) 222-2319 Tourism More information To locate a farm with agritourism activities near you, the Michigan Farm Marketing and Agri-Tourism Association's free directories are available at every Farm Bureau Insurance office in Michigan. Visit www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com/pages/geograph/findus.htm to find the closest office. Or you can get a directory online at www.michiganfarmfun.com. More online: Watch a video about agritourism at Westview Orchards and Cider Mill at detnews.com/business. 