The 3 Steps To Transform Your Homestead Into An Agriturismo
If you have been trying to find ways to finance your homestead and make more money from the fruits of your labor, you should have running agriturismo on your radar. Agriturismo is a blend of the words “agriculture” and “tourism”. It’s a unique way of vacationing in a farm-stay style. The concept was born in Italy and continues to be a popular way for farms to make money there.
Staying on an agriturismo is popular with tourists because it provides a unique experience that allows them to immerse themselves in nature and feel the rhythms of a working farm. Add in great food and you have a winning combination. In this article, we will go over several steps to take to transform your homestead into an agriturismo.
1 – Focus on the food
One of the primary reasons to stay on an agriturismo is the food. People appreciate eating food that was taken right out of the garden and plated shortly after. The focus of your efforts should be on the food first and everything else after.
Make sure to have a menu that is seasonal and fresh and uses the local ingredients in the best way possible. The quality of the ingredients needs to be higher than most restaurants would be able to provide.
For instance, if you’re planning to serve meat, consider a wagyu flank stir fry with some of the zucchini, onions, and peppers that you are harvesting at the time if it’s summer. If it’s winter, think about something that will stick to the ribs and make a chicken pot pie full of root vegetables and a homemade buttery crust.
2 – Make it an immersive experience
Your unique selling point will be what goes on during your daily routine. What is it your homestead does well or could do better? Figure this out and then base some experiences around it.
If you run a dairy farm then think about doing milking lessons followed up by some cheesemaking or yogurt. A homestead that has a lot of beehives could focus there. People will be interested in how honey is harvested and then trying the various ways to use it.
Your agriturismo should also offer various engaging activities that highlight the charm of country life. This could include things like horse riding, nature walks, cooking classes using farm produce, and storytelling sessions under the stars.
3 – Get good at marketing
Marketing may seem challenging at first if you are new to it. However, it is very important to get the ball rolling to bring customers in.
The first step is to identify your target market. These could be families looking for kid-friendly farm activities, couples seeking a romantic rural getaway, or city dwellers wanting a break from their fast-paced life.
Once you have your audience sorted out, find where they spend their time online and focus your efforts there. Social media is the most obvious place to start. Create engaging content on the platform where your potential customers are sharing their posts primarily.
