Farming for the future The steady growth of agritourism
Somewhere in our memory bank, most of us have a picture of a place where the rhythm of life beats more slowly, a place where we rise with the sun and go to bed early for the soundest sleep ever.
The farm visits of my childhood are crystal-clear in my mind’s eye. I can smell the dung fires that burned on our family farm in the Free State on bitterly cold winter mornings, everything white with frost. Hear the cattle and sheep and chickens. Feel the icy tip of my nose tingling in the steam that rose from the mug of coffee clasped in my hands.
When people grow tired of city life and decide to get away for a healthy dose of the platteland, they tend to head to a dorpie somewhere. And while this form of tourism is popular, and always will be, there is a simpler, soul-enriching alternative on the rise: agritourism.
Diversifying into tourism
We all know agriculture isn’t for sissies: farmers are not only at the mercy of the elements but they also have to face many challenges unique to South Africa. This is why more farmers are considering new avenues for generating income. And in the process they expose visitors to the qualities of farm living for which so many of us are yearning.
Jacqui Taylor, founder and managing director of Agritourism Africa, is agritourism’s most passionate advocate. She grew up
