Growing travel trend of connecting agriculture and tourism is good for all

May 16, 2025

If, as studies suggest, more people are seeking out unique experiences when booking travel, then agritourism is a logical and increasingly natural byproduct of that search.

Avid agritourists seek to find fresh and sustainable foods, interact with locals and experience their culture and how they live, and to travel to new and rural destinations – whether that‘s farms, agricultural businesses, food festivals or artisan markets.

Ontario is an agricultural powerhouse, with an abundance of rich farmland, making agricultural experiences and rural escapes not far for many Ontarians, even those in cities. In fact, according to the City of Burlington’s planning documents, the city is committed to keeping 50 per cent of its region rural.

Burlington bustles in the city core down by Lake Ontario but, the more north you drive, up Guelph Line or Brant Street toward the Niagara Escarpment, which is a UNESCO-designated World Biosphere Reserve, the area opens up into farmland, parkland and conservation areas.

“The draw for agritourism is offering a connection to nature and unique, family-friendly experiences,” says Claire Green, director of destination development and marketing for Burlington Economic Development and Tourism. Helping people understand where food comes from is a big focus in the city’s marketing efforts. “We’re lucky in Burlington to be surrounded by agritourism attractions.”

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.