Skip to main content

agri-tourism

GCC hosts first agritourism symposium

By Howard B. Owens

Agritourism is itself a growing industry in New York and with Genesee County being a major contributor to the state's agriculture industry, Genesee Community College hosted a free agritourism symposium yesterday.

The event was organized by Amy Slusser, professor of GCC’s Tourism and Hospitality Management Program.

“Our region of New York State offers some of the best agritourism opportunities in the nation,” Slusser said. “From our dairies for cheese and yogurt, while not forgetting milk, butter and of course, ice cream, to the many acres of fruits and vegetables. And, New York wineries are now competing with great success against both European and Californian varietals. Now is the time for agritourism in the Upstate New York.”

Sophie Winter, Ph.D., was the keynote speaker with a theme of “Evolution, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Agritourism.” A native of Southern France, Winter earned her master’s degree in Agricultural Business from Illinois State University and her Ph.D. in Business Administration from Arizona State University. Currently, she teaches agricultural marketing, sales, retail management and entrepreneurship at SUNY Cobleskill.

There was also a panel discussion with:

  • Barbara Dominesey, general manager of Hidden Valley Animal Adventures in Varysburg;
  • Chad Heeb, director of marketing of New York Chips and Marquart Farms in Gainesville; and
  • Betty Burley, owner of East Hill Creamery in Perry.

Photos courtesy GCC.

Agritourism Symposium to be held Oct. 26 at GCC

By Billie Owens

A symposium on agritourism will be held at Genesee Community College on Thursday, Oct. 26.

It will take place inside Stuart Steiner Theatre and is free and open to all. It is hosted by GCC's Tourism & Hospitality Management Program.

Meet the entrepreneurial agritourism leaders in Genesee County. There will be vendor booths and samples.

Here's the day's schedule:

  • 11 a.m. to noon -- Student Session with Sophie Winter, Ph.D.
  • 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. -- Keynote Speaker: Sophie Winter, Ph.D.
  • 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. -- Panel Discussion and Question-and-Answer Session
  • 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. -- Meet, Greet & Eat Reception

The college is located at One College Road in the Town of Batavia.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Amy Slusser, professor, Tourism & Hospitality Management, at 343-0055, ext. 6332, or email   alslusser@genesee.edu

The symposium is sponsored in part by Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement.

Free brochures on GC agri-tourism available at chamber of commerce

By Billie Owens

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce offers a new brochure which highlights agricultural-related visitor experiences throughout Genesee County.

The chamber's tourism program developed the brochure with assistance from Cornell Cooperative Extension. Locals will find the brochure helpful as a current resource for agricultural related tours and shopping experiences. The brochure has detailed listings for gardens, u-picks, orchards, farm tours, and specialty items like local honey and maple syrup.

Free brochures are available at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, 210 E. Main St., Batavia. The digital version of the brochure can be viewed online from the homepage of the chamber's tourism Web site. Just click on the cow image on the www.VisitGeneseeNY.com homepage.

For more information, please call the chamber's tourism staff at 343-7440.

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is the official tourism promotion agency for Genesee County. Tourism is the county's 2nd largest industry with an economic impact of nearly $130 million.

www.VisitGeneseeNY.com
 

Authentically Local