LANSING – Orchards, markets and wineries attract local customers with fresh produce and family-orientated activities that promote agritourism, boosting Michigan’s economy and offering a possible avenue of investment for the future.

Natural resources are a major magnet in attracting customers and tourists to Michigan, said William Anderson, director of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL). 

Cultural tourism - traveling for a specific purpose such as to attend festivals, visit historical sites and experience cultural diversity - will help the economy flourish, he said, and natural resources are creating power that’s economic development.

Visiting agricultural, horticultural or agribusiness operations such as farms, wineries, orchards and markets is known as agritourism and is an appealing enterprise in Michigan because of the effort to boost the economy. 

The Agricultural Tourism Advisory Commission was recently established to discuss awareness, promotion, signs and zoning issues in effort to promote the agritourism concept. 

Liana Bennett of the Michigan Department of Agriculture said agritourism is becoming increasingly popular because people are looking to get back to their roots and customers know exactly where their food came from.

It’s beneficial because the farm is kept in the family, the farm market is diversified, people can purchase directly and local industries are supported, Bennett said.

“Our main attraction is that it’s family-orientated,” Bairon Stader, owner of BJ Farm of Temperance in Monroe County, said.  “Everything is for the kids.”

Among the activities are a spook house in the garage, characters for children to take pictures with and pumpkin picking. To further promote his business, Stader plans to put in a corn maze this year to draw more families.

According to Betty Boone, HAL’s director of cultural economic development, people who are interested in a site will drive 100 miles out of their destination’s way to visit it and will spend more than the average customer at that particular place.

Not everyone involved in agribusiness believes in the effectiveness of agritourism.

Ruth Stahl of Monroe County Farmer’s Market doesn’t think visitors would take time out to specifically shop at her market because it is in a smaller, non-tourist location.  Advertising it as a tourist attraction would be ineffective, she said.

The market is supported by local customers and businesses and is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

Though the market doesn’t attract customers statewide and beyond, Stahl said the business has been successful despite the clout of chain supermarkets.

“People buy because it’s fresh produce.  It’s not three weeks old and been sitting on the shelf.”