LANSING – Michigan’s rich agricultural history could prove to be a viable economic resource, say some agricultural experts.

The payoff is increased tourism.

The simple pleasures of picking fruit with the family or visiting a petting zoo are classic state pastimes, said Steve Tennes, co-owner with his wife, Bridget, of Country Mill Family Farm in Potterville.

“We reconnect visitors with their farm roots and remind them of a simpler time,” said Tennes, who comes from a multi-generational farming family.

Now, those simple pleasures may prove instrumental to alleviating the state’s economic woes.

“The geographic location and make-up of the state has made it a leading destination for outdoor leisure,” said Jeanne Lipe, agricultural tourism manager for the Department of Agriculture.

Although tourism peaks during the summer, the long-term goal is to develop agricultural resources that attract visitors year-round.

Agricultural tourism activities include state fairs, U-picks, horse racing, farmers’ markets that sell locally-grown produce and a bustling wine industry.

“Wine vineyards are a way for farms to stay in business out of season because it’s a source of revenue when crops can’t grow,” said Linda Jones, program manager for the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council.

The state’s wine industry generates $790 million annually and provides 5,400 jobs. Some vineyards host wine-tasting events year-round and thus keep valuable dollars in the state, Jones said.

“There is a big push to buy locally,” Jones said. “Private farms are essential to that.”

U-pick farms let people roam the fields and select fresh fruit, vegetables and other seasonal crops, such as blueberries in the summer, pumpkins in the fall and Christmas trees in the winter.

The Agriculture Department’s Web site has a directory of U-pick farms around the state. Go to www.michigan.gov/mda.

At the Tenneses’ farm, tourists pick apples and pumpkins in the fall and buy apple cider all year. In 1997, Tenneses bought Country Mill from Steve’s father, Bernie, who had purchased it in 1971. The farm dates back to 1870.

“Farming is at the heart of this state,” Tennes said. “We are very much an agricultural state and, aside from the economic value, there is a historical connection that farming keeps alive.”

Tennes is also founder and president of the Michigan Farm Marketing and Agri-Tourism Association. The group provides educational and promotional programs for member farms and tours for interested visitors.

“There’s a lot of potential there,” said Heather Throne, communications director at the Agriculture Department.

Throne said that although there’s never been a study of agricultural tourism’s economic impact in Michigan, agriculture is the state’s second-biggest industry, growing more than 200 crops, and tourism is third.

“Michigan’s main industry has been manufacturing, up until recent times,” Throne said. “Agriculture tourism could be a considerable source of revenue.”

But for farmers, it’s also an exercise in Michigan tradition and culture.

“We just enjoy people coming back every year,” said Roger Bredeweg, owner of Bredeweg Acres in Stevensville in Southwest Michigan.

Since the late 1980s, Bredeweg has seen people visiting neighboring counties, and even Chicago, come to the farm for seasonal crops, an estimate 5,000 people annually.

Bredeweg grows blueberries and strawberries and is preparing for the coming Christmas tree rush by harvesting more than 1,200 trees. His farm includes blue spruce, Douglas firs and a variety of pines.

“Seeing the smiles on faces and children growing up is enough to continue the tradition for me,” Bredeweg said.