Using Alternative Enterprises and Recreational Development to Bolster Farm Incomes Learning Module #1 February 16 th 2012 Presenter: Mr. Adam Tullos Mississippi State University Dept. of Wildlife Fisheries & Aquaculture

Welcome  Please notice the and Phone number box below.  Enter your Name and contact information  You may be selected to participate in a post webinar survey

Outline  NRE Program & Accomplishments  What are natural resource enterprises  Types of outdoor recreation & enterprises  Recreation and enterprise value  Landowner considerations

Helping landowners develop and manage recreational properties using sound business and habitat management strategies Enterprises Natural Resource

What are Natural Resource Enterprises?  Businesses that generate economic returns from nature based outputs.  Hunting/Fishing  Camping  Canoeing  Trail riding  Wildlife watching  Vegetable growing  Bed and Breakfast  Farm Tours

Recreational Access  Recreation on private lands focused on wildlife and fish  Hunting  Fishing  Wildlife watching  Horse trail riding  Agritourism  Heritage tourism  Bed and breakfast

Outdoor Recreation in USA  Participants million  Expenditures – $122 billion (US) spent  Hunting - $23 billion  Fishing - $42 billion  Wildlife watching - $46 billion

Wildlife & Fisheries Recreation  Hunting 304,000 hunters $520 million spent  Fishing 508,000 anglers $245 million spent  Wildlife Watching 731,000 participants $176 million

White-tailed Deer  $916.7 million statewide  Supporting 43,694 full- and part-time jobs

Waterfowl  $146 million statewide  Supporting 1,873 full- and part-time jobs

Eastern Wild Turkey  $17 million statewide  Supporting 385 full- and part-time jobs

Wildlife Watching  31% of Americans participated and spent $40 billion  Increasing demand nationally and in the South  Landowners are usually birders themselves and diversify income through this activity

Rural Land Values & Recreation  $680/ acre increase  52% of land value  Hardwood forests enhanced values  Bottomland  Upland

Agritourism  A Blending of Tourism and Agriculture  Income Potential  Corn mazes, farm tours, molasses mill, bonfire parties, hay rides  Families, church groups, and school children  Survey, 7 operators earned $500,000 annually on 100 acres while being open only 4 weeks/year (2005 MS survey)  Rural development potential

What is it?  Camping  Hiking  Wildlife watching (Birding)  Nature photography  Nature Trail/Ed. Pros  Compatible with fee hunting once seasons close  Allows for year-round use Nature Tourism

Bed and Breakfast (Lodging)  Bed & breakfast  Music  Culture Literature History  Rural appeal  Family tradition

Enterprise “Investment” Value  4 Basic Values of Enterprises  Economic value Income Assets Land Building  Cultural value  Ecological value  Recreational value 70/30 phenomena in U.S.

Activity Values for Southeast Business Price Range Average Price  Hunting $ $1,  Working Farms $5-$320 $  U-Pick $1.25-$10 $1.43/lb $8.50/gallon  Paintball $10-$35 $18.50  Sporting Clays $8-$89 $31.08  ATV Riding $5-$675 $  Horseback Riding $10-$155 $50.63  Ziplines/Ropes Courses $7.50-$395 $53.84  Fishing $1-$5.95 $3.74  Wildlife Watching $3-$395 $43.05  Shooting Range $3-$10 $4.88  Youth Camps $50-$5450 $3,  Canoeing/Kayaking $25-$900 $  Agritourism Free-$125 $11.69  Camping $10-24 $17.55

How are enterprises important?  Very important economically, especially to rural communities  Promotes  Nature based ethics  Stewardship  Sportsmanship

Value-added Benefits  Enhance and diversify income  Control access to property  Reduce poaching and damage  Higher quality timber & wildlife resources  Enhance land stewardship and ownership retention to landowners…

Getting Started  Diversification of services offered Hunting Fishing Wildlife watching Agritourism  “Entertainment Business” Fire pit  Work with What You Have on the Property Landowner cooperative  Sustainability of natural resources

Landowner Considerations  Compatibility with existing operations  Understanding revenue streams  Leases  Marketing  Liability issues  Business planning  Habitat management

Defining Your Objectives  Which type of enterprise is comfortable  Hobbies, interests, or background  Do you mind sharing recreational interests with others for profit  Maximize income or supplement it  Should I manage intensely for one use or diversify to attract other types of recreational income

Special Skills  Have to be (People Oriented)  “My Padna”  Basic understanding of Economic impacts from enterprises Make decisions based on user satisfaction  User group preferences User Expectations Assessing User satisfaction  Revenue streams (Potential and Realized) Vision

Enterprise Planning  Develop a business plan  Resources inventory Physical resources Labor resources Financial resources  Business plan  Marketing plan Professional appearance Clear statement of services Hit key selling points Provide contact information  Financial plan

Anywhere, MS, AR, AL, TN, SC  Have vision  Take advantage of your special features  Be attentive to resource potential

Conclusions  Collecting needed skills  Owners enhance income  Stakeholder collaboration  Sustainable development & resource conservation in rural communities

T. Adam Tullos Verona Research and Extension Center Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculure Mississippi State University My Contact Information