Agritourism

Supporting Agricultural Operations Through Diversified Land Use

Agritourism provides an opportunity to diversify agricultural operations by allowing the public to engage with working lands through recreational, educational, and event-based activities.

When properly structured, agritourism can:

• Enhance property value
• Generate additional income
• Support long-term land use objectives
• Promote agricultural education and public engagement

Under Florida law, agritourism may be recognized as part of a bona fide agricultural operation when conducted in accordance with accepted best management practices.

When integrated correctly, agritourism can:

• Create diversified revenue streams
• Increase land usability and flexibility
• Support Agricultural Classification
• Enhance long-term property value
• Provide certain liability protections under Florida law

Agritourism is most successful when it complements, not replaces, active agricultural production.

Title XXXV - Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Industry.
Chapter 570 - Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
570.86 Definitions.—As used in ss. 570.85-570.89, the term:
(1) "Agritourism activity" means any agricultural related activity consistent with a bona fide farm, livestock operation, or ranch or in a working forest which allows members of the general public, for recreational, entertainment, or educational purposes, to view or enjoy activities, including farming, ranching, historical, cultural, civic, ceremonial, training and exhibition, or harvest-your-own activities and attractions. An agritourism activity does not include the construction of new or additional structures or facilities intended primarily to house, shelter, transport, or otherwise accommodate members of the general public. An activity is an agritourism activity regardless of whether the participant paid to participate in the activity.

(2) "Agritourism operator" means a person who is engaged in the business of providing one or more agritourism activities, whether for compensation or not for compensation.

(3) "Farm" means the land, buildings, support facilities, machinery, and other appurtenances used in the production of farm or aquaculture products, including land used to display plants, animals, farm products, or farm equipment to the public.

(4) "Farm operation" has the same meaning as section 823.14.

(5) "Inherent risks of agritourism activity" means those dangers or conditions that are an integral part of an agritourism activity including certain hazards, such as surface and subsurface conditions, natural conditions of land, vegetation, and waters, the behavior of wild or domestic animals, and the ordinary dangers of structures or equipment ordinarily used in farming and ranching operations. The term also includes the potential of a participant to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to the injury of the participant or others, including failing to follow the instructions given by the agritourism operator or failing to exercise reasonable caution while engaging in the agritourism activity.

History. Chapter 2007-244; Chapter 2012-83; Chapter 2013-179; Chapter 2014-150; Chapter 2016-14; Chapter 2021-7.

Note. Former section 570.961.

Agritourism activities can take many forms when conducted as part of a bona fide agricultural operation, including:

• Educational programs and farm tours
• Event venues and farm-based gatherings
• Working farms and ranch operations
• Nurseries and plant production facilities
• Farmers markets and specialty crop production
• Seasonal attractions and crop-based experiences
• Orchards and fruit production operations
• Trail riding and outdoor recreation
• Hunting operations and wildlife management
• Petting farms and animal interaction experiences
• Tree farms and seasonal operations
• U-pick and U-cut operations
• Vineyards, wineries, and distilleries
• Wildlife viewing and birding activities
• Aquaculture and aquatic production systems

Agritourism must remain secondary to a bona fide agricultural operation.

Because agritourism operations involve significant operational, liability, land use, safety, traffic, insurance, and regulatory considerations, proper planning during the early stages of development is critical to reducing risk, supporting long-term operational success, and avoiding common compliance and land use issues.

Active agricultural operations may produce temporary impacts including smoke, dust, noise, odor, equipment activity, and other conditions commonly associated with normal agricultural and land management practices.

Florida's Right to Farm Act and other agricultural statutes may provide important protections when agritourism is properly integrated into an active agricultural operation and conducted in accordance with accepted agricultural management practices.

Gold Coast Land Management assists landowners in evaluating opportunities, structuring operations appropriately, and integrating agritourism into long-term agricultural land management strategies.

Agricultural operations may produce temporary impacts such as noise, dust, odor, smoke, equipment activity, and other conditions commonly associated with active land management.

Florida's Right to Farm Act provides protections for bona fide agricultural operations that are properly established and operated in accordance with accepted agricultural management practices.

• Potential nuisance protections
• Certain regulatory protections
• Agritourism-related protections
• Farm building and structure exemptions
• Support for ongoing agricultural operations

These protections depend on how an agricultural operation is structured, managed, and maintained. Proper planning and professional consultation are important before developing or expanding agritourism activities.

Every property is different. Successful Agricultural Classification and long-term land management begin with selecting a strategy that aligns with both the property's characteristics and the owner's long-term goals.

Gold Coast Land Management evaluates factors such as:

• Property characteristics
• Soils and hydrology
• Access and infrastructure
• Existing vegetation and habitat
• County expectations
• Long-term ownership goals

Potential strategies may include cattle operations, silviculture, hay production, apiculture, agritourism integration, wildlife management, and mixed-use agricultural operations.

Our objective is to develop practical, sustainable, well-documented land management strategies that support Agricultural Classification, long-term compliance, and productive land stewardship.

Every successful agricultural strategy begins with understanding the property and its opportunities.

• Property analysis
• Existing land use review
• Soils, vegetation, and access evaluation
• Agricultural feasibility assessment

We help develop practical, property-specific strategies that align with ownership goals and agricultural objectives.

• Agricultural Classification planning
• Property-specific management strategies
• Agritourism integration planning
• Supporting documentation preparation

Proper organization and coordination can significantly improve the application and review process.

• County coordination
• Application preparation
• Documentation organization
• Support during review

Active management is essential for maintaining Agricultural Classification and long-term land productivity.

• Vegetation management
• Prescribed fire support
• Silviculture and timber operations
• Pasture and hay management
• Site preparation activities
• Infrastructure and access improvements

Long-term success depends on continued management, documentation, and operational consistency.

• Continued Agricultural Classification support
• Long-term compliance strategies
• Property productivity improvements
• Ongoing stewardship and maintenance

Agritourism operations throughout Florida demonstrate how working agricultural lands can successfully diversify revenue while supporting active farming and ranching activities.

Examples include:

• Farm tours and educational programs
• Seasonal attractions
• U-pick operations
• Working ranch experiences
• Special events and festivals

These operations highlight how agriculture and public engagement can work together when properly planned and managed.

University of Florida IFAS Extension emphasizes that Agricultural Classification is based on bona fide commercial agricultural use rather than future intentions or undeveloped plans.

• Actual agricultural activity matters
• Commercial use is evaluated
• Management practices are considered
• Documentation is important
• Continuity of use supports defensibility

Active management and operational consistency remain key factors in maintaining Agricultural Classification.

Agritourism has become an increasingly important component of agricultural diversification throughout the United States.

• Supports working farms
• Creates additional revenue opportunities
• Promotes agricultural education
• Encourages rural economic development
• Supports long-term land stewardship

When integrated appropriately, agritourism can strengthen agricultural operations while maintaining the integrity of active land use.

Florida's Right to Farm Act helps protect qualifying agricultural operations from certain nuisance claims and regulatory pressures as surrounding development occurs.

• Supports agricultural continuity
• Provides operational protections
• Recognizes accepted farming practices
• Supports long-term agricultural viability
• Encourages responsible land management

These protections are most effective when agricultural operations are actively managed and properly maintained.

Agricultural zoning and Agricultural Classification are separate concepts that often work together but serve different purposes.

• Zoning regulates allowable uses
• Classification evaluates actual use
• Operational activity remains critical
• Local requirements may still apply
• Planning should consider both factors

Understanding the distinction can help landowners avoid common land-use and compliance issues.

Volusia County's guidance reinforces that Agricultural Classification is based on active agricultural use established as of the statutory assessment date.

• Active management is expected
• Commercial activity is evaluated
• Documentation supports applications
• Property condition matters
• Good-faith agricultural use is important

Understanding local expectations can help landowners develop more practical and defensible agricultural strategies.