Louisa, VA – The Virtual Fields to Futures: Exploring Agritourism Opportunities workshop, held on February 21, 2025, brought together experts, farmers, and community leaders for an engaging discussion on the growing agritourism industry. Organized by Abby Bryant, a senior at the Blue Ridge Virginia Governor’s School, in partnership with the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Louisa County Chamber of Commerce, and Louisa Forward Foundation, the event offered practical insights on zoning, safety, marketing, and economic development for those looking to expand their agricultural businesses.

Originally planned as an in-person event, the workshop was moved to a virtual format due to weather concerns. However, the shift to an online platform allowed for greater accessibility, and all sessions were recorded for future viewing.

Expert-Led Sessions Now Available for Viewing

The workshop featured five expert-led sessions, covering key aspects of agritourism. Recordings of each session are now available for public access:

Session 1 of 5

Agritourism in VA
Explore the current landscape and future opportunities for agritourism in Virginia.
📺 Watch the recording

Presenter:
Heather Wheeler, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)
📞 804-786-5842
📧 Email: Heather.Wheeler@vdacs.virginia.gov

Session 2 of 5

Connecting with the Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development
Gain insights into navigating the challenges of planning, zoning, and economic development in the agritourism sector.
📺 Watch the recording

Presenter:
Tom Egeland, County of Louisa
📧 Email: TEgeland@louisa.org

Session 3 of 5

Insurance, Liability, and Safety
Learn essential considerations for ensuring the safety and viability of agritourism ventures.
📺 Watch the recording

Presenter:
Glynn Goodrich AU, CIC, AAIC
AgAdvisor, Virginia Farm Bureau® Insurance
📞 (c) 804-314-8905
📧 Email: glynn.goodrich@vafb.com

Session 4 of 5

Visit Louisa and the Fermentation Farm Trail
Discover local attractions and see how agritourism highlights regional culture and innovation.
📺 Watch the recording

Presenters:
Cindy King, County of Louisa
📧 Email: CKing@louisa.org

Tracy Clark, Executive Director, Louisa County Chamber of Commerce
📧 Email: executivedirector@louisachamber.org

Session 5 of 5

Brags & Blunders: Agritourism Entrepreneurs
Hear firsthand accounts from local agritourism entrepreneurs as they share their success stories and lessons learned.
📺 Watch the recording

Presenter:
Sheridan Grime, Southern Revere Cellars
📧 Email: sheridan@southernrevere.com

A Special Thanks to Our Partners and Attendees

The success of this event was made possible by the dedication of Abby Bryant, whose leadership in selecting agritourism as her Blue Ridge Virginia Governor’s School capstone project helped educate and inspire local businesses. Special thanks go to the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Louisa County Chamber of Commerce, and Louisa Forward Foundation for their partnership and support.

Attendees gained valuable knowledge, resources, and connections to help them navigate and grow within the agritourism sector. Whether they joined live or access the recordings later, the information shared in this workshop will continue to benefit the community.

About Louisa County Chamber of Commerce & Louisa Forward Foundation

The Louisa County Chamber of Commerce works to strengthen the local business environment, advocate for economic growth, and foster collaboration among businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies. The Louisa Forward Foundation, its nonprofit partner, supports workforce development, tourism, and community initiatives.