Beggs to help advance agritourism industry

Standard Democrat

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Although he's been in the business for three years, Donnie Beggs still doesn't consider himself an expert on agritourism, however, the state Department of Agriculture is looking to Beggs' experience as a means of helping people get into the agritourism industry.

Beggs, owner of Beggs Pumpkin Patch and Maize Quest in Sikeston, is one of 24 Missourians -- and the only one from Southeast Missouri -- appointed to the newly formed council to help advance the state's agritourism industry.

"They were looking for people in the state who were already set up in agritourism," Beggs said. "We're supposed to be able to help people who might be interested in getting into agritourism so they kind of know someone and have some place to turn to if they need it."

The Missouri agritourism council will help guide the department's efforts in counseling, educating and promoting agritourism businesses, said Deanne Hackman, director of the department's Agriculture Business Development Division. The council will also advise the department and other state agencies on the needs of agritourism businesses, and will play a role in expanding and promoting agritourism.

Agritourism is not just corn mazes or pumpkin patches, Beggs said. There are also u-pick strawberries and black berries, bed and breakfasts, the wine industry, farmers' markets, and Christmas tree farms.