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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 M AY 2 7 , 2 0 2 4 F O C U S L O C A L LY G ROW N and looked to rural areas as a refuge where they could recreate, adventure and travel," he says. "Many farms pivoted, experimenting with new ele- ments of their ventures that engaged these consumers." To maintain the momentum, "we want to ensure the rapid scaling of agri- tourism activity remains sustainable for businesses and communities." Tiptoeing into tulips Maine's evolving agritourism sector is sparking a range of business models. Offerings vary from the traditional to the innovative, spanning goat yoga and guided hikes like the ones in Gray to flower festivals and themed events. at's giving entrepreneurial owners a supplemental, often more lucra- tive, and less labor-intensive source of income beyond growing crops or raising livestock — and bringing fresh ideas and new people to shake up one of the oldest industries. Newcomers include Jessi Chmielewski, a 2020 graduate of the University of New Hampshire who moved to Maine in 2016. She and her husband, Wayne, grow salad greens and greenhouse tulips on leased land in West Newfield as well as tulips in an Acton fruit orchard they are in the process of buying. e couple planted all 100,000 bulbs themselves last autumn. ere are 42 varieties in all, mixed rows of bright red, oranges, purples, yel- lows popping on a sunny late afternoon like a mini-Netherlands in York County. While Jessi is hard-pressed to pick a favorite color, her barefooted husband says, "I'm a sucker for traditional red." Chasing after their 18-month-old son Riley, the couple were days away from the start of a month-long Blossom and Bloom festival featuring you-pick tulips, music, makers' market and food trucks every weekend in May; season passes to visit the tulip field cost $23, or $86 for a family of four to six. Eventually planning to live on the farm with their growing family, Local farmers and food businesses know they can rely on CEI… ...for holistic advice, capital, support, and more! visit: ceimaine.org/farms Learn More at PORTLANDREGION.COM C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » S O U R C E : U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2017 and 2022 Census of Agricuilture data MAINE AGRICULTURE AND AGRITOURISM You can't get into agritourism not knowing about agriculture, and you can't get into agritourism not knowing about hospitality. — Karl Schatz Ten Apple Farm, Gray Italy introduced this official trademark in 2013 awarded to agriturismo businesses that meet legal standards; no such designation exists in the United States. 2017 2022 Total number of farms 7,600 7,036 Average size of farm 172 acres 174 acres Total farmland acres 1.3 million 1.2 million Income from farm-related sources $39.5 million $48.9 million Average income per farm $16.2 million $23.1 million Income from agritourism and recreational services $6.6 million $12.2 million Average agritourism income per farm $26,893 $50,427

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