Photo by Brandy Nance
Students in an agritourism class taught by Jan Janzten and Lisa Brumbaugh work in small groups during their final class last week. By the end of the five-week session, 12 people from the class had registered new agritourism businesses with the Kansas Department of Travel and Tourism.
Agritourism. The next cash crop? For many farmers and ranchers in this area, it could be.
Thirty-three area farmers, ranchers and other rural property owners attended a class at Flint Hills Technical College titled “Agritourism: Your Next Cash Crop?” By the end of the five-week session, 12 people from the class had registered new agritourism businesses with the Kansas Department of Travel and Tourism, said Jan Janzten, instructor of the course. Janzten is involved with Rural Tourism Development and owner of Kansas Flint Hills Adventures. The class was funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and sponsored by Flint Hills RC&D, Kansas Small Business Development Center, Flint Hills Technical College and the U.S. Small Business Resource. The class, which also was taught by Lisa Brumbaugh, director of the Kansas Small Business Development at Emporia State University, was held for five consecutive weeks and was packed with information potential agritourism business owners could use. The class provided information on defining dreams, financing those dreams, pricing the product or service, promoting the business and legalities of the business.
Brian Keith of Keith Cattle Co. near Allen, is one of the class participants who decided to form a new agritourism business. Keith is in the process of forming “Kansas Working Ranch Adventures,” a business that will give people an inside look at the beef industry from a working ranch standpoint.
“(Guests) will tour all aspects of the beef industry,” Keith said, adding that he wants to be able to show people what the lands in the area are being used for and what is being done to keep the water clean. “We want to try to promote beef safety at the same time. I think we need to promote the beef industry from within.”
Keith’s business also will open up more than 8,000 acres to camping, trail riding and bus tours of the area, which is native grass and filled with wildlife.
“It’s a mile off the road so you won’t hear cars,” Keith said. “You won’t see power lines.”
Keith said the business will allow people to bring their horses in or participate in a working ranch setting.
Janzten said the formation of new businesses in the area is a positive thing — especially in the light of the recent Tyson Fresh Meats layoffs in Emporia.
Photo by Brandy Nance
Jan Janzten, instructor of the class “Agritourism: Your Next Cash Crop?” hands out certificates to graduates last week. There were 33 people enrolled in the class.
“This all began before the business in Emporia closed,” Janzten told the class last week on graduation day. “Think of the combined impact you all will have for other parts of the state, the country and the world.”
Janzten said the class was a success.
“It was so positive that we are going to offer these meetings and classes throughout the Flint Hills and perhaps elsewhere in the state,” Janzten said.
The new businesses that are being formed will benefit many.
“These businesses will be providing local residents as well as U.S. and world (residents) with many great Flint Hills experiences,” Janzten said. “Guests will be able to enjoy rural lodging in secluded cabins, great home-cooked meals, outdoor chuck wagon dinners, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, birdwatching, wildlife viewing, stargazing, trail riding, wagon rides, pumpkin patches, Sante Fe Trail and Civil War history, working cattle, ranch adventures and much more.”
The new business won’t just benefit the people who are visiting them, Janzten said.
“These new businesses represent the vision and self-determination of their creators,” he said. “The businesses represent jobs and income not just for the business owners but for other area businesses that cater to the tourists.”
Janzten said other government agencies also will be benefit from sales tax.
“We’ll all benefit from the positive image that these new businesses will present about the Flint Hills and the state of Kansas ...” he added.
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