Penn state extension retail farm market bus tour

By Blake Jackson

Penn State Extension is excited to offer the Retail Farm Market Bus Tour, a unique opportunity for retail farm market professionals to gain valuable insights from their peers.

Scheduled for September 11 and 12, this tour is held at the peak of the season, allowing participants to observe and learn during the most active time of the year.

The two-day tour will explore unique farms in Northern Pennsylvania and Southern New York, showcasing various aspects of agritourism, farm market development, product diversification, and customer relations.

Participants will benefit from behind-the-scenes tours and direct information from farm market owners, including innovative display and merchandising ideas, as well as insights on market expansion and farm transition.

The tour begins at the Lehigh County Ag Center in Allentown, located next to Dorney Park. Day 1 focuses on agritourism and marketing, with stops at markets in northern Pennsylvania.

Participants will stay overnight at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel in Scranton. Day 2 highlights premier markets in southern New York before returning to Allentown.

This rolling classroom environment encourages market owners and managers to share lessons learned, discuss seasonal highlights, and address pertinent topics during travel between locations.

The tour not only offers unexpected learning opportunities but also facilitates beneficial networking connections among participants.

Ideal for owners and managers of retail farm markets, as well as those planning or considering opening a retail farm market or agritourism operation, this tour promises to deliver fresh ideas on merchandising, displays, and product offerings.

One of the key benefits is the peer-to-peer networking that occurs both on the bus and at the various markets visited.

Participants will leave the tour with new concepts and strategies to enhance their own markets, inspired by the success and creativity of their regional peers. Don’t miss this chance to expand your knowledge and connect with fellow farm market professionals.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-jimfeng