Photo: Sydney Widell
Much of the value-added agriculture discussion at our last general meeting focused on tourism and the demand for AirBnB’s. Agri-tourism can be an invaluable marketing component for farms engaged in value-added agriculture, as it can literally connect customers to the farmers and fields their food was grown. It also brings it’s own considerations worthy of a much larger, nuanced conversation.
The demand for AirBnBs highlights the external pressure (development, real-estate investors, land speculators) being placed on local land-use and housing, not just in the Coon Creek Watershed, but the Driftless region as a whole. Two of the most common challenges faced by those engaged in value-added agriculture is access to a local workforce (and housing) to support processing, as well as access to affordable farm land. As we consider the question raised at the general meeting “Are we saturated with AirBnBs?” we encourage you to engage in community conversation; ask your neighbor their thoughts, and how they see this impacting them and their quality of life. Elevate the conversation; what is the effect on the community as a whole, benefits and detriments alike. What are the effects on local housing availability, or land access for beginning farmers? Is income generated staying in the community and supporting those working the land, or is generational wealth and opportunity leaving?
Tourism and AirBnBs have rapidly changed communities forever, and their role will look different for every farm and every situation, much like the wisdom found in the old saying “a weed is just a plant out of place” Let’s find common ground and plant good roots that continue the historic legacy of conservation leadership in the Coon Creek Watershed.
Watershed Perspectives are submitted by our members. They are meant to highlight diverse viewpoints and spark dialogue, and do not necessarily represent the views of the CCCWC. Join the conversation by emailing your thoughts to council@cooncreekwatershed.org. The CCCWC reserves the right to not publish material that does not align with our community guidelines.