Page 57 - Rural Tourism Report Washington County
P. 57
CHAPTER 3: THE WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM SECTOR
Additional resources include The Agritourism Master Plan for
University of Vermont Center for Clackamas County
Rural Studies, which conducts Clackamas County, through its Tourism
research in support of Vermont’s Development Council (TDC), initiated the
rural tourism ; and the Vermont “Agritourism Master Plan for Clackamas
48
51
Farms! Association (VF!A) , a County” (2012) . The plan was authored
49
coalition of 44 farms open to the by Mary Stewart of MARStewart Group,
public. VF!A defines agritourism with Cogan Owens Cogan, LLC; Roth
for its members (who must Bates, Inc.; and Stanley D. Miles of
be primarily engaged in some Oregon State University. Building upon
aspect of Vermont agriculture) key points identified by a Tourism
as “an operation that presents Development Task Force in 2009, the
to the public some aspect or plan provides agritourism development recommendations for
feature of interest in its category fulfilment over a five-year period, as follows:
and that provides visitors with • Connect residents and visitors to restaurants and farm events
an educational or pleasurable that feature locally-grown products.
experience aside from one that is • Work to change/implement laws that allow farms to host
solely commercial.” events, markets, tours, and home stays while not compromising
agricultural and forest resources.
Land use is guided by • Create a new wine region.
comprehensive/town plans
and policies. Municipal codes • Attract the geo-tourism traveler with the richness of offerings,
and alternative forms of zoning and make it easy for them to find unique lodging, spas, dining,
specialty shopping, sightseeing, and transportation.
that support rural tourism
include: accessory housing • Encourage the development and support for services needed by
(e.g. farmworker housing), visitors to enjoy recreational activities (on farms).
agricultural mixed-use/ • Develop good quality, unique lodging in rural areas that matches
multiple use and overlay zones, the experiences and desires of visitors.
Planned Unit Developments, • Provide financial incentives to businesses interested and quali-
and transferable development fied to provide recreational services to visitors.
rights. The combination of • Create an identity for Clackamas County as a destination from
these provisions is designed products manufactured in the county. Items could be feature
to protect agricultural lands displays at Destination Welcome Centers and featured on web-
while promoting a rural tourism sites, and in catalogs and brochures.
economic sector .
50
• Develop a consistent signage and communications program.
48 www.uvm.edu/crs
49 www.vtfarms.org
50 Tourism is promoted as a sector that imports capital from outside the state (traded sector). See: http://accd.vermont.gov/sites/accd/files/Documents/business/
CEDS/CEDS2VTEconomyLG530.pdf
51 Available at Clackamas County’s web site: www.mthoodterritory.com
WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM STUDY 53
