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Save on gas and stick close to Bluegrass State vacations

By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

FRANKFORT, Ky. — In the middle of summer and vacation time, many are feeling the crunch of the economy and gas prices, and looking for fun closer to home.

With that in mind, Kentucky agencies have promoted the idea of “backyard” vacationing and in a state where agriculture is so relevant, many are choosing agritourism vacation destinations.
In fact, the Kentucky Department of Travel (KDT) has a whole section of its website dedicated to agritourism ideas. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) regularly touts its “Kentucky Proud” participants and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board has invested in various agritourism projects.

Many communities and individual farmers have taken land traditionally used for agriculture and opened it to visitors so they may experience the region’s agricultural history and see how commodities – which they have grown accustomed to seeing mainly at the local grocery store – are really grown.

Some of the hottest commodities are the many vineyards and wineries that have popped up across the state. What was a thriving industry dating back to the 18th century in Kentucky mostly went away with Prohibition. But today, they have made a comeback with 46 wineries across the state, according to the KDT.

One of the state’s most visible agri-destinations is Chaney’s Dairy Barn, near Bowling Green. The family-owned farm dates back to 1888 and became a dairy farm in 1940. The low price of milk caused the family to look to outside ventures to keep the farm in business. With the introduction of ice cream made on-site, the farm has become an example in diversification.

The family also sells a variety of Kentucky foods and crafts and hosts numerous events throughout the year, that include live music and tours for school groups.

Evans’ Orchard near Georgetown is another success story. The once-tobacco farm is one of the largest orchards in the area, using tobacco settlement funds and sweat equity to create a business, which takes apples to new heights and makes a festival out of the sweet corn harvest. School groups by the dozens have visited to learn the process of taking a commodity and turning it into a product.

The KDA has worked to promote producers through its Kentucky Proud marketing initiative. Today, the program brings in millions of dollars for producers throughout the state. The abundance of farmers’ markets has also created many day-trip opportunities, with several offering not only locally grown commodities but crafts and foods of all sorts.

While the idea of agritourism seems new, the actual practice has been around for many years – to borrow from Barbara Mandrell, it labored under the “country-when-country-wasn’t-cool” syndrome. Many communities have offered festivals to honor crops and goods ranging from tobacco to country ham.

One of the newest festivals will take place July 24-26 as the second annual Soybean Festival, hosted by the Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board and the Caldwell County extension office, celebrates the soybean. The festival will include kids’ activities, demonstrations on how to use soy in cooking and a discussion of GPS (global positioning) technology.

It goes without saying that the state’s storied horse industry leads the way in agricultural commodities, with more than $1 billion in income. Horse farms are one of the most visible tourist attractions in the state. Add to that the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Horse Park, and it is the crown jewel of tourism, agriculture-related or not.

In fact, the Horse Park will host the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The games are held every four years and consist of the world championships of eight equestrian events. This will mark the first time the games have been held in America and it will represent the largest equestrian sporting event ever held in the United States.

With so much to choose from, state officials hope backyard vacationers will make hometown destinations a tradition. For more information, visit www.kentuckyfarmsarefun.com

7/18/2008