Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

PhD

College

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department

Division of Resource Economics & Management

Committee Chair

Doolarie Singh-Knight

Committee Member

Michael Dougherty

Committee Member

Michael Strager

Committee Member

Jinyang Deng

Abstract

This study focused on encouraging agritourism operators in the study area to engage in clustering. Collaboration within networks and clusters is strongly encouraged as a catalyst for accelerating industrial transformation, developing regional competitive advantages, and boosting company and job creation. All these factors ultimately contribute to economic progress and prosperity. A snowball sampling method was used to survey 192 agritourism operators, with 145 responses meeting the inclusion criteria for analysis. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to identify factors contributing to agritourism business development in the selected six states. Based on a linear regression model, the findings reveal that net income and cash flow improvement were significant motivating factors for operators to diversify into agritourism. To increase revenue, operators should improve advertisements and marketing strategies to attract more visitors. Clustered agritourism operators reported slightly higher revenue than non-clustered operators, indicating that clustering in the Appalachian region positively impacts agritourism operations, benefiting operators through increased revenue and community involvement.

Moreover, the logistic regression results indicated that operators engaging in on-farm direct sales, entertainment, and high-average sales were more likely to participate in agritourism clustering. Conversely, operators facing higher financial risks with higher education levels were less likely to adopt clusters. The study underscores that collaboration and knowledge-sharing in clusters can help operators effectively overcome the challenges in the agritourism industry. Policymakers and practitioners can leverage these findings to support and enhance the growth of agritourism in the Appalachian region, fostering a vibrant agritourism community that benefits operators and the local economy. An education program based on evidence-based information can further complement these efforts, ensuring sustainable and thriving regional agritourism practices.

Furthermore, a needs assessment among agritourism operators in the Appalachian region revealed a significant interest in clustering to promote sustainable agritourism. However, many operators lacked the knowledge, skills, and tools to implement a successful cluster development strategy. In response to these socio-economic issues, this study proposes developing an adult education curriculum on cluster development and sustainability using modern adult education theory. The curriculum aims to foster holistic thinking among entrepreneurs and farmers, addressing the challenges associated with cluster development, sustainability, and education.

Through participation in this curriculum, agritourism operators can gain insights into the benefits of clustering, such as increased visibility, access to new markets, and improved.

Collaboration with other regional operators. Additionally, the curriculum emphasizes the interdependence of environmental, social, and economic conditions in achieving sustainability in agritourism operations. These highlight the significance of clustering in the Appalachian region and offer valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and practitioners to support and enhance agritourism's growth in the area. By implementing a comprehensive curriculum on cluster development and sustainability, agritourism operators can be equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to foster a vibrant and sustainable agritourism community, benefiting both operators and the local economy. The study reveals the need to design a curriculum to address the identified challenges and facilitate the advancement of sustainable agritourism in the region.

Embargo Reason

Publication Pending

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Available for download on Saturday, March 22, 2025

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