Agritourism workshop reveals area's assets
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
At least 94 people registered for the agritourism seminar held Friday and Saturday at Tampa. They represented four counties — Dickinson, Marion, McPherson, and Chase.
Participants were challenged to consider "who we are" as a rural region of the country and "what we have" to offer urban residents. They also were given the opportunity to plan itineraries for fictitious groups of tourists desiring to visit this region for a three-day, two- night stay.
The workshop was the second in a series of meetings designed to bring about creation of a multi-county regional identity with the capability of attracting wealthy tourists for packaged visits of three days and two nights.
The seminar was directed by Remelle Farrar of Canadian, Texas, and a partner, Bob Rogers of Texas Parks and Wildlife.
They shared how local leaders working together in a regional concept brought new life to small towns in the eastern panhandle of Texas.
"We're not experts brought here to tell you what to do," Farrar said. "We're sharing something we're excited about."
"You have the neatest place," Rogers said. "Your history here is just flowing, and the potential for viewing wildlife is out of this world. Every town has a jewel, every place has a jewel, but this place is a jewelry box."
Farrar heads an organization named the Texas Prairie Rivers Region, which is bringing people from the cities to the country for a variety of nature experiences.
For example, Rogers leads people on tours in a wildlife management area to view frogs and toads, windmills, wildflowers, spiders, and owls. Story-telling around a campfire is a popular event.
Several ranchers in the area have become involved. They provide opportunities for people to share various aspects of life on a ranch.
The big attraction, one for which people will pay a lot of money, is the opportunity to experience nature firsthand.
As tourists began finding out about the area and began visiting, their presence created the need for places to sleep and eat and other things to do during a three-day stay in the community.
This has led to renewed economic activity and prosperity in the region. Within five years, many new businesses have been established, and the town of Canadian, population 2,300, is thriving.
"You are not really interested in developing agritourism, but creating an economy that will allow you to remain here and let your children come back," Farrar told the group at Tampa.
Who are we?
Participants were asked to name places, events, and experiences which are unique to this region of the state. Answers came easily, and the list was long.
Places include the Flint Hills, Maxwell Game Preserve, farms, ranches, lakes, historic trails, historic buildings, churches, memorials, and museums.
Community celebrations, county fairs, and arts festivals were listed as major events.
Most responses focused on the unique character and culture of the region, such as diverse ethnicity, hospitality, a feeling of home, wide-open spaces and fresh air, sunrises and sunsets, stars, wildlife, safety, opportunity for solitude, and respect for each other, all things city folks would enjoy experiencing.
Many creative ideas were formulated for hosting and entertaining tourists.
Farrar advised the proposed organization begin its outreach by identifying something that can't be found anywhere else and is common to the area. She suggested German Mennonite heritage and the Santa Fe Trail as two such things that stand out in her own mind after seeing the area. She said partnerships need to be formed with private landowners who wish to participate.
The workshop was organized by Tampa Community Association and the Marion County Advisory Committee of the Resource Conservation and Development Council, a branch of Kansas Department of Agriculture.
A Friday evening barbecue was provided by Wagon Wheel Express of Marion along with dessert made by Melissa Bartel of Hillsboro. Cinnamon rolls were provided Saturday morning compliments of Tampa State Bank.
Members of the advisory committee include: Peggy Blackman and Margo Yates, both of Marion; Tom and Dee Duggan, Carole and Gary Spohn, and Jim Clemmer, all of Tampa; and Stan Thiessen of Hillsboro.
They will continue to work together to decide boundaries for a regional organization which eventually will include nine counties and no big towns. The region will be a pilot project on agritourism in Kansas.
Their next meeting will be Nov. 9 in Herington.
