Burlington--A series of free, online webinars, hosted by University of Vermont Extension and the International Workshop on Agritourism, will provide participants with a global perspective on agritourism.

Agritourism Gatherings, a monthly series that debuted last September, is designed to stimulate conversations about agritourism among people from different countries. While geared to farmers, farm stay operators, ag service providers, researchers and other industry professionals, anyone with an interest in agritourism is invited to attend.

Advance registration is required for each session. Program details and registration links can be found at http://go.uvm.edu/agtourism-gatherings. To request a disability-related accommodation to participate, please contact Becky Bartlett at (802) 257-7967, ext. 301, or rebecca.bartlett@uvm.edu.

Upcoming webinars are as follows:

Feb. 17: Agritourism and Racial Justice in the U.S., 12-1 p.m. The discussion will focus on farm-based education and sales of local products as tools for pursuing racial equity and social justice in food systems. Panelists will be Martinique Lewis, founder, Black Travel Alliance; Eduardo Rivera, farmer and owner, Sin Fronteras Farm and Food, Stockholm, Wisconsin; and Karen Washington, co-founder, Black Farmer Fund, and owner, Rise and Root Farm, Chester, New York. Lynn Ellen Schimoler, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, will serve as moderator.

March 16: Exploring the Diversity and Impact of Agritourism in southern Africa, 12-1 p.m. This panel, moderated by Kanyi Gabiro, Agritourism Africa, will explore agritourism's impact on socioeconomic diversity and tourism in rural economies in Malawi and South Africa. Sharing their stories will be Fidelis Chasukwa, owner, Mazizi Agritourism Farm, Malawi; and Michael Daiber, general manager, !Khwa ttu, and Manti Maifudi, owner, Naledi Farm, both in South Africa. 

Additional webinars will be offered on April 20 (Culinary Lens on Agritourism) and May 11 (Regional Strategies for Promoting Agritourism and Community Economic Development). The series then will take a break until fall.

Previous webinars focused on welcoming guests back to farms and ranches, regenerative tourism and agriculture, indigenous and tribal perspectives on agritourism and creating virtual farm and food experiences. The most recent webinar, covering farm-based education in cities and towns, was held Jan. 13 and had 310 registrants representing 24 countries.

To access recordings and resources from past presentations, go to http://go.uvm.edu/agtourism-gatherings.