“Most agritourism operations in California tend to be small-scale, diverse farms and ranches. The North Bay has a significant number of the state’s agritourism offerings,” says Rachael Callahan. She is the statewide agritourism coordinator for the University of California, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. Young guests of the Chileno Valley Ranch pick apples in the U-Pick orchard. [Photo by Sally Gale]
Lavender picking in the fields of Monte-Bellaria di California in Sebastopol. [Photo by Chris Willis]
Farms may start opening to visitors without charging, almost as a public service. “Then they realize they’re investing a lot of time and energy in these activities. That’s when they begin taking a more business-minded approach,” says Callahan. Callahan recommends agritourism operators develop a
THE BEST IN WINE COUNTRY GOLF t
32 NorthBaybiz
May 2024
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