Source: NCSU COLLEGE OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES, 3/21/19


The sustainability of local food systems depends on the purchasing of local goods and produce. This system not only supports local entrepreneurship, but also offsets carbon emissions associated with the transportation of goods across the country or globe. Sara Brune, Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management doctoral student, is investigating the role of agritourism in promoting positive attitudes and action in local goods purchasing. Agritourism, or authentic agricultural-based operations that bring visitors to farms, is known to increase the income of farmers; however, its ability to influence and maintain sustainable behavior toward local food has yet to be uncovered until now.

Brune, along with Drs. Barbieri, Stevenson and Knollenberg, is leading a multi-faceted project involving two stages. The first stage, undertaken in the fall of 2018, included data collection at three agritourism operations in the Western, Eastern, and Piedmont regions of North Carolina. On site, visitors took surveys before and after their agritourism experience, allowing Brune to assess the effect of farm visits. The preliminary results demonstrate that experiences do significantly increase positive attitudes and intentions to buy local produce and goods. Results also showed that people would be willing to increase their budget to buy local food by 5-10% after their farm visit.

The team is currently starting the second research stage that will measure the impact of agritourism in agriculture-related knowledge (ag-literacy). Brune is recruiting elementary teachers interested in implementing an ag-literacy curriculum, which will also include taking their students on field trips to farms offering agritourism. Children will be tested on their knowledge of agriculture and local food systems before and after visiting the farm. Since children may influence their household’s decisions by sharing their experiences and knowledge with parents, Brune will also survey parents to identify whether there is a change on their attitudes and intentions toward purchasing local food after their child’s farm visit.

The results of this study will shed light on the suitability of agritourism to educate the public on local food system sustainability and create a culture of supportive behaviors. Results can inform policy related to agritourism, a measure that supports local farmers, educates and empowers the public, and protects the environment.

Researchers:
Sara Brune, PhD Student
Dr. Carla Barbieri, Associate Professor and Tourism Extension Specialist
Dr. Whitney Knollenberg, Assistant Professor
Dr. Kathryn Stevenson, Assistant Professor


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