Learning Objectives
Knowledge
- Knowledge of the concept of multifunctionality of the agricultural enterprise
- Knowledge of the connections between the physical environment, social environment, agricultural production and agrotourism activity
- Knowledge of the types and management of the numerous activities linked to agrotourism
- Providing tools and insights to implement the activities that can be carried out in agrotourism businesses
Skills
- Capacity to choose agricultural/livestock productions consistent with the environment
- Capacity to choose the agrotourism-related activities most suited to the context
- Capacity to valorise the agricultural activity, the agricultural productions and the territory
Competences
- Competences related to the planning of activities
- Competences related to the management of different activities with respect to hospitality
- Competences related to the valorisation of local resources and the territory
Contents
Crop Production and Animal Husbandry
Types of agriculture and their evolution
Crop cultivation and livestock farming are human activities aimed at producing food, fibre, fuel, and other products essential for human survival and well-being. Agriculture is an ancient economic activity that has played a fundamental role in the development of modern human societies.
Agriculture can be practised on both a small scale in family farms or on a large scale in big enterprises. It encompasses many techniques and practices, including both traditional and technological cultivation and livestock farming.
Agriculture can be classified based on its type and/or method.
- Intensive agriculture is practised on a large scale, using advanced machinery and techniques to maximise production. It employs chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms to increase crop yields.
- Traditional agriculture, on the other hand, refers to agriculture practised mostly on small-scale, often family-run farms. It focuses on producing food for local consumption and is based on centuries-old methods with a natural approach to the land. It uses techniques such as crop rotation, organic fertilisers, and natural pest control.
- Organic agriculture focuses on producing food without the use of synthetic chemicals. It is based on sustainable practices such as crop rotation, the use of organic fertilisers and amendments, and biological pest control.
Traditional and organic agriculture can be considered sustainable because they attempt to maintain a balance between production and environmental protection.
- Sustainable agriculture is based on practices that promote soil conservation, water management, and biodiversity. In general, sustainable agriculture aims to produce food responsibly, ensuring the health of the planet for future generations, as well as the quality of working and living conditions for the current generation.
Referring to livestock farming, we speak of intensive or extensive farming.
- Intensive farming – Animals are raised in confinement, in defined spaces, and are fed with automatic systems administering calculated and predefined rations. Animal species are genetically selected to obtain breeds suitable for productive purposes such as maximum milk or meat yield.
- Extensive farming – Animals have access to natural feed, although sometimes supplemented by the farmer. It is practised in vast areas, and animals have access to pastures where they can feed and move freely.
Even though it cannot be excluded that there are agrotourism businesses linked to intensive production, agrotourism is mostly carried out on farms that practice traditional agriculture and extensive livestock farming, generally paying attention to sustainability.
Production activity and entrepreneurial choices
By definition, agricultural and livestock breeding activities are inseparable from the territory in which they are practised because, in most cases, they take place on a defined territory. Moreover, the farmer and/or breeder, with their activity, influence the integrity, richness, vitality, livability, and attractiveness of the territory in which they act. In other words, the interaction between the farmer and/or livestock farmer and the territory is highly intense and necessary.
When a farmer/livestock farmer makes his production and management choices, he must consider the operational aspects above all.
Social/Environmental Context and Production Targets
The agrotourism activity is deeply linked to the territory in which it takes place. This implies that every choice the entrepreneur makes in the business organisation must be consistent with the environmental and social context in which it is implemented. The suitability of territories must always be taken into account and cannot be disregarded.
It is important to know whether the territory in which the activity is located belongs to specific categories and also its classification (hydrogeological risk area, area of landscape interest, etc.). Based on the area in which the farm falls, it will be possible to set specific production objectives. Each area is characterised by its own ecological specificity, defined by the biodiversity of existing species, orography, climatic trends, etc. Any productive or social activity in this territory must be realised with an ecosystem approach.
Choice of production address and cultivation method
The choice of production address is closely linked to the environmental and social context and must be made with the following key factors in mind
- Environmental aspects – geography, orography, climate, biodiversity
- Territorial aspects – areas of landscape interest, hydrogeological risk areas, mountain areas, protected natural areas, etc.
- Social aspects – specific rural communities, cultivation and breeding systems and types
Agrotourism as a collateral activity to agriculture or livestock breeding has as its task not only that of supplementing the entrepreneur’s income, but also that of enhancing the territory, rural tradition and the healthiness of life linked to nature. For all these reasons, the adoption of sustainable farming practices is, in most cases, an added value that the entrepreneur must take into account.
Healthy Way of Life
- The choice of food and meals: agrotourism structures should favour the use of fresh vegetables from the garden, seasonal fruit, local cheeses, artisanal cold cuts, and all those products that derive from farm production or, in some cases, from the production of local farms.
- Offering open-air activities: many activities can be realised in agrotourism; in the next chapters we will look at some examples.
- Enhancement of spaces and implementation of specific services: having usable outdoor spaces for guest relaxation such as swimming pools, saunas, communal kitchens or taverns.
- Using sustainable energy sources: the use of sustainable sources for space heating or electricity production is increasingly sought after by guests, as well as electric vehicle charging stations.
- Eco-friendly packaging and separate waste collection: in addition to being compulsory for compliance with European regulations, they are welcome and signal attention to sustainability on the part of the company
Main areas of interest in (%) for farmhouse guests (Source: RRN-2022)
Therapeutic and Social Activities
Farms, and in particular agrotourism farms with their multifunctionality, can exercise a different role from the mere producer of food and become, to all intents and purposes, a service provider for the community in which they are embedded, contributing to its well-being and affirming its fundamental role.
This is the case of services related to the concept of social farming, of which there is no unambiguous definition, but which the European Economic and Social Committee on Social Farming (2012) has defined as:
‘Social agriculture is a traditional and innovative use of agriculture. It encompasses all activities that use agricultural resources, both plant and animal, to promote (or generate) therapy, rehabilitation, social inclusion, education and social services in rural areas’
In the following chapters, we will look at some specific social farming activities that can be carried out on farms, but it should be pointed out that:
- The national context and local regulations greatly influence the requirements and the type of activities that can be carried out;
- There is no single model; activities must be implemented according to the characteristics of one’s own farm;
- Collaboration is the basis of social farming activities, it is therefore necessary to try to build a network of contacts that is functional to the activities to be carried out;
Social work in farming
The implementation of social activities on farms is an established reality in many European countries, where social farming may or may not be an integral part of the services provided by the health system. In countries such as Germany, Slovenia, and Ireland, the activities are managed by the public sector, while in the Netherlands, Italy, and France, private entities such as farms or cooperatives are more common.
The activities that can be carried out vary depending on the final recipients they are aimed at. The table below gives some examples.
Participation in product processing
| TARGET GROUPS / MAIN ACTIVITIES | People with disabilities and disadvantaged workers | Immigrants and refugees | Elderly people | Long-term unemployed | Children and adolescents with learning or developmental difficulties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Creation and maintenance of vegetable gardens |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Gardening activities |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Harvesting of vegetables and fruit |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Participation in product processing |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Product packaging |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Maintenance and cleaning |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Construction of small structures (e.g. fences, posts, small artefacts) |
|
X |
|
X |
|
The SoFarEDU project (Erasmus+) has developed several factsheets for each category described above that can be referred to in order to better understand which activities can be carried out, the suggested approach and the possible difficulties that can be encountered and how to overcome them. More information is available here.
Some requirements for carrying out social farming activities are:
- Have indoor farm premises to be able to provide shelter during the winter months and rainy days;
- Be adequately trained for the type of users to be accommodated; in some cases, it is possible to carry out activities in collaboration with educators and psychologists;
- Ensure compliance with workplace safety regulations and the accessibility of the premises.
The Sofi Project (Erasmus+) provides an interesting selection of case studies that can inspire you to start social farming activities.
Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI)
In recent decades, the spread of animal-assisted interventions (AAI, formerly known as pet therapy) has been observed in various public and private settings. AAI have therapeutic, rehabilitative, educational and recreational value and involve domestic animals, in particular dogs, horses, donkeys, cats and rabbits. These interventions are mainly aimed at people with disorders of the physical, neuromotor, mental and psychic spheres, dependent on any cause, but can also be addressed to healthy individuals. Various activities can be realised on the farms thanks to the interactions with the different animals that are bred.
The main objectives of animal-assisted interventions are to:
- Develop skills through animal care;
- Increasing relational and communicative readiness;
- Stimulate motivation and participation.
An important aspect of the implementation of animal-assisted interventions concerns the selection of animals. Like humans, animals have different personalities, often referred to as temperaments, which may be at odds with the aims of the interventions, so here are some tips for selection:
- Selected species must be familiar with humans and be domesticated, wild species are not recommended even if bred in captivity;
- The animal must be docile, not easily aroused or frightened, to convey tranquillity to those interacting with it;
- The animal must be accustomed to physical contact with humans; often interventions are based on contact with the animal, which must therefore be used to caresses and being touched;
- The animal must be in excellent health, not debilitated or sick;
- The animal must not pose a danger to people who will interact with it.
There are no European reference standards to regulate animal-assisted interventions, nor are there any specific training materials available, but the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie has a section on its website with many in-depth articles available in English, Italian and German.
Forest Therapy
Recently, there has been increasing development in the use of woods and forests not only for walking but as places for meditation and healing. This practice has been used for a very long time in China and Japan under the name Shinrin-Yokued to relieve stress, improve the functioning of the immune and cardiovascular systems, and combat states of anxiety and depression.
There are many activities that can be performed, some of which are mentioned as examples:
- Meditation and yoga sessions;
- Trekking to discover the flora and fauna of the forest;
- Birdwatching;
- Survival experiences or simple overnight stays in the forest.
However, organising activities in the forest requires a certain degree of preparation to reduce risks for participants, here are some practical tips:
- Define the objectives of the activity and potential participants;
- Choose a route or location that is suitable not only for the activity itself, but also for accessibility, proximity to possible dangers or the ability of the participants;
- Plan the route, including possible alternative routes in case of emergency;
- Select the appropriate equipment to carry out the experience;
- Share with participants the rules of behaviour, including those in case of emergency;
- Ensure that participants have sufficient water and food, if necessary;
- Assess and minimise the environmental impact of the activity by making participants responsible for its mitigation;
- Make participants responsible for specific tasks, such as waste collection.
The Forestwell project (Erasmus+) has compiled an interesting list of case studies from which inspiration can be drawn, all of which can be found here.
In addition, the project created a training course with specific modules to provide more information on starting forest therapy activities, available here.
Organic Food Production
Social work in farming
In Europe, organic production is regulated by both general and specific regulations, dictated by the European Union, which provides a certification of the production process through a control system that farmers, processors and traders must undergo before they can market their products as ‘Organic’.
The European standards, which are then incorporated into the different Member States’ legislations, define multiple elements (definitions, principles, production rules, labelling requirements for various plant- or animal-based food products). The control system and rules on sanctions in the event of non-compliance are also regulated, as well as the conversion from conventional to organic farming.
Producers and processors who label their products as organic may use the EU organic logo on product packaging. The logo indicates that the food has been produced in accordance with EU standards and that it is subject to organic production control systems.
To produce food organically, farms must:
- Know how to choose the most suitable species and varieties of plants and animals for the type of production environment.
- Introduce rotation in the cultivation cycle to improve soil health by increasing biomass from the roots of different crops, interrupt pest and disease cycles, and minimise the environmental impact of cultivation activities.
- Use natural fertilisers for fertilisation, including those obtained from composting practices, which enrich the soil with essential nutrients and improve soil structure, creating more fertile and productive soils capable of supporting crops without the need for chemical fertilisers.
- Controlling pests, favouring the use of natural techniques such as beneficial insects and crop rotation. In organic farming, natural predators, parasitoids and pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi) are used to maintain the balance of ecosystems and protect crops, without resorting to harmful chemicals.
Participation in product processing
Protection of Natural Values and Biodiversity
Biodiversity or biological diversity
Biodiversity is defined in Article 2 of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as “the variability among living organisms from all sources, including inter alia terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, and between species of ecosystems”. Biodiversity manifests itself on three different levels.
- The first is the genes within a single species: each living organism has its own genetic characteristics, with diversity within its own DNA.
- The second level manifests itself between species: within the same environment or ecosystem there are the most diverse living beings, in relation to each other. From the different plant species to the variety of invertebrate and vertebrate animals, without forgetting the infinite number of microorganisms made up of protozoa, bacteria and viruses.
- Finally, the third level manifests itself between different ecosystems: on Earth the variety of environments is enormous.
Rivers, lakes, dunes, prairies and forests are some of the various ecosystems present on our planet. Biodiversity, both in wild species and in cultivated and raised species, is the basis of agriculture.
Agroecosystem
Agricultural biodiversity can be identified in the components of biological diversity related to food and agriculture and in all the components of biological diversity that constitute agricultural ecosystems, also called agroecosystems. Agroecosystems are defined by the CBD as “the variety and variability of animals, plants and microorganisms at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels, necessary to maintain the key functions of agroecosystems, their structure and their processes. Sustainable management is the key factor in order to achieve and maintain the good condition of agroecosystems, with the aim of increasing resilience and maintaining the capacity to generate services for current and future generations. Agricultural biodiversity, therefore, represents an extremely important and interconnected portion of global natural biodiversity.
Natural ecosystem and agroecosystem comparison
There are substantial differences between a natural ecosystem and an agroecosystem. The latter is characterised by a simplification of environmental diversity, to the advantage of cultivated species and to the detriment of useless or harmful ones, which compete with them; the supply of external energy (especially of fossil origin) through the use of means of production (machinery, fertilisers, pesticides, fuels, etc.) and the removal of biomass (through harvesting) which is thus subtracted from the energy balance.
These structural and functional differences between the agroecosystem and a natural system determine the fragility of its ecological balance. Unlike an ecosystem, capable of adapting to unfavourable conditions and oscillations of harmful populations, the agroecosystem lacks the capacity for self-regulation (in the cycle of nutritional elements, in the conservation of fertility, in the regulation of harmful agents, in the relationships between the different links in the food chain). In other words, it is an unstable system, whose functioning depends exclusively on human intervention.
Protecting biodiversity
Protecting biodiversity is essential not only for the planet but also for our lives and our economy. When kept healthy, natural systems contribute to the production of “ecosystem services” on which we ourselves are strictly dependent for our well-being and development: water purification, carbon storage, soil fertilisation, pollination, biological control of harmful species, supply of raw materials and biomass, oxygen, protection from hydrogeological instability, etc.
The European Green Deal also recognises the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity as a key role in the implementation of the European sustainable growth policy and, with the European Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 “Bringing nature back into our lives”, reminds us that man is an integral part of nature. Similarly, a strong commitment to the protection of biodiversity is promoted in the Farm to Fork Strategy, which aims to achieve environmental sustainability in food chains, which are today associated with land and resource uses that represent some of the main causes of biodiversity erosion, both in the terrestrial and marine areas (e.g. agriculture and fishing).
The role of agrotourism – The organisational model of the agrotourism company is consistent with the sustainability paradigm when it is identified as an activity connected to agriculture and this condition ensures the coincidence between the benefits of the agricultural activity and those of tourism. In some legislations, agrotourism is regulated differently from rural tourism and, in some cases, forces the agrotourism entrepreneur to dedicate himself primarily to agricultural practices. Agrotourism companies tend to develop more sustainable techniques that have a positive impact on biodiversity, the landscape and natural resources. The sustainability of agrotourism can be seen as the result of the process of corporate diversification towards the development of environment-based service activities.
Participation in product processing
Management of Sports Facilities
Running sports activities on agrotourism farms is an increasingly interesting opportunity to diversify your offering, attract a wider audience, and increase your company’s turnover and visibility. However, it requires careful planning, good organisation, and constant attention to guest safety.
Why offer sports activities on the farm?
- Enhancement of the territory. Outdoor sports activities allow guests to come into direct contact with nature and discover the beauty of the surrounding area.
- Diversification of the offer. In addition to accommodation and catering, sports activities can enrich the guest experience and increase the average length of their stay.
- New customer targets. Sports activities attract a young and dynamic public, expanding the agrotourism’s clientele.
- Integration with the environment. Many sports activities can be easily integrated with the surrounding environment, such as hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and yoga.
What activities to offer?
Spending good times in agrotourism is not only about relaxing and resting in a rural environment, it can also mean playing and walking around to enjoy the scenery while getting some exercise.
The choice of activities to offer depends on several factors:
- Characteristics of the territory. For example, in the mountains, you can organise excursions, while in the plains, you can go horseback riding or cycling.
- Available equipment. It is necessary to evaluate the equipment already present in the company and that to be purchased.
- Staff skills. It is important that the staff is qualified and able to guarantee the safety of the guests.
- Customer preferences. It is useful to carry out surveys to understand which activities are most requested by guests.
Examples of sports activities:
- Hiking and cycling excursions. Routes of varying difficulty, with or without a guide.
- Horse riding. Horseback riding, riding lessons, equestrian centres.
- Yoga and other wellness activities. Outdoor lessons, massages.
- Water sports. If there are lakes or rivers, it is possible to organise activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and sport fishing.
- Winter sports. In mountain areas, snowshoe excursions and cross-country skiing can be organised.
Legal and Regulatory Aspects
Before starting a sporting activity, it is essential to check the legal and regulator aspects:
- Depending on the type of activity, specific authorisations from local authorities may be required.
- It is essential to take out adequate insurance policies to cover any accidents.
- Staff qualifications. Instructors and guides must have the necessary professional qualifications.
- Safety regulations. It is necessary to comply with all safety regulations.
Marketing and Promotion
To promote sports activities, you can use different channels:
- Farmhouse website. Create a section dedicated to sports activities with detailed descriptions, photos and videos.
- Social media. Use platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to share interesting and engaging content.
- Collaborations with travel agencies and tour operators. Establish partnerships to promote tourist packages that include sports activities.
- Participation in fairs and events. Participate in trade fairs to promote the farm and its activities.
Informational Guidelines for Educators and Advisors
- Unit 6.1 Crop Production and Animal Husbandry
- Unit 6.4 Organic Food Production
- Unit 6.5 Protection of Natural Values and Biodiversity
The topics lend themselves to working on multiple levels of depth. Since agricultural activity is linked to the territory, it will be necessary to know the opportunities and limitations related to the territories in which one operates.
The chapters address in a synthetic manner the fundamental aspects related to the different types of agricultural companies (6.1), the requirements of organic companies (6.4) and the principles of conservation and enhancement of agrobiodiversity (6.5). In each chapter, some indications are given for agrotourism companies and how these general themes can be linked to the development of agrotourism activity.
Focus on:
- Land use planning;
- Sustainable agriculture;
- Agricultural policies and tourism policies.
- Unit 6.2 Healthy Way of Life
- Unit 6.3 Therapeutic and Social Activities
- Unit 6.6 Management of Sports Facilities
The multifunctional aspect of the agrotourism business is expressed through the provision of services and facilities to guests. The relevant units contain indications and in-depth information for the implementation of various activities within the agrotourism business. The proposed activities may be subject to different regulations depending on the country. Therefore, it is necessary to analyse the specific regulations of the sector as a priority.
Focus on:
- Guests’ preferences for agricultural activities;
- Social agriculture and operator skills, management of therapeutic services and operator skills, management of sports activities and operator skills;
- management of wellness services and skills involved.
Results of Focus Group ‘Social farming and innovations’: eu-cap-network.ec.europa.eu/social-farming-and-innovations_en
Agrotourism: Toward a Conceptual Framework: foodsystemsjournal.org/… /572
The potential of agrotourism in revitalizing rural communities: fao.org/… /Inter-country-learning-dialogue-on-agrotourism-as-opportunity-for-agrifood-systems-transformation/en
Conclusions
In this training module, several topics were covered that focused on the diversification of the agrotourism offer. The most important concept that we want to emphasise is that whatever agrotourism activity you intend to undertake, whether it is aimed at hospitality or catering, whether it involves specific groups of people or is open to the general public, the strong point always represents the link with the territory and the environment.
With the increase in international tourism and the mobility of people, it is essential that the proposed offer has unique characteristics that allow guests to live a different experience.
We are sure that what is reported in the previous chapters is not exhaustive and that there are many activities that can be carried out in the agrotourism sector. However, we trust that we have inspired you and provided you with information to deepen your ideas or new activities.
References / Links
What is agriculture?: agrimag.it/che-cose-lagricoltura/
Types of livestock farming over time: germoglioverde.altervista.org/le-tipologie-di-allevamento-del-bestiame-nel-tempo/
INEA Istituto Nazionale di Economia Agraria – Tipologie di aree rurali in Italia 2000: pianetapsr.it/… /2966
Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica, Contributo tematico alla Strategia Nazionale per la Biodiversità. Le Ecoregioni d’Italia, 2010: mase.gov.it/… /strategia-europea-la-biodiversita
Biodiversity strategy for 2030: Biodiversity strategy for 2030 – European Commission
Agrotourism and environmental sustainability: agriregionieuropa.univpm.it/… /31/40/agriturismo-e-sostenibilita-ambientale-primi-risultati-di-unanalisi-aziendale
Rete Rurale Nazionale 2014 – 2020, Opportunità e sfide per lo sviluppo rurale:
The common agricultural policy at a glance: agriculture.ec.europa.eu/… /cap-glance_en
