Just the Facts: Agritourism in Pennsylvania and the U.S.

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), in 2017, there were 711 Pennsylvania farms offering agritourism opportunities, such as farm tours, hayrides, and hunting and fishing. These farms generated more than $27.2 million in revenues, or $38,262 per farm.

From 2012 to 2017, the number of Pennsylvania farms with agritourism operations decreased 2 percent. However, income from these operations increased 3 percent, after adjusting for inflation.

Nationwide, NASS reported that there were 28,575 farms with agritourism operations. The 2017 receipts from these operations totaled more than $949.3 million, or $33,222 per farm.

Like Pennsylvania, the number of farms in the U.S. with agritourism operations decreased from 2012 to 2017 (14 percent); however, their receipts increased 26 percent.

Among all 50 states, Texas, California, and Colorado had the most farms with agritourism operations, each with more than 1,000 farms. The states with the fewest farms with agritourism operations were Alaska, Rhode Island, and Delaware, each with fewer than 55 farms. Nationwide, Pennsylvania had the 12th highest number of farms with agritourism operations.

In Pennsylvania, the counties with the highest number of farms with agritourism were Lancaster (77), Chester (40), and Bucks (36). Fourteen of Pennsylvania's 67 counties had either no farm or fewer than three farms with agritourism.

A 2019 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that farms in less populated counties were more likely to engage in agritourism. Additionally, researchers found several farm-level factors associated with agritourism enterprises. For example, female operators were more likely to participate in agritourism, particularly on larger farms. Older farm operators were slightly more likely to adopt agritourism than younger farmers, all else being equal. In addition, farms and ranches that processed or sold food for human consumption, such as those participating in local or regional food systems, were also more likely to adopt agritourism. Lastly, farms and ranches with cattle and horses had a greater likelihood of implementing agritourism.