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The Agriculture & Tourism Partners of Illinois Association (ATPI) is a membership based organization with the purpose to encourage, foster, support, and stimulate new tourism development, especially Agritourism, in Illinois through support of existing businesses and development of new businesses. Members include farms, agribusinesses, agricultural associations, tourism associations, convention & visitor bureaus, government agencies, universities and individuals that either are actively engaged in agritourism or support this rapidly growing business segment.
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Agritourism is defined as: The act of visiting a working farm or an agricultural, horticultural, or agri-business operation for the purpose of enjoyment, education or active involvement in the activities of the farm or operation. Agritourism also provides alternative revenue streams to farming operations as well as economic impact to communities through tourism.
ATPI has a Board of Directors and officers elected annually by the membership.
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Benefits of Membership
ATPI provides its members with a connection to visitors through an annual Visitor Guide, the website and promotional activities at fairs and festivals. This connection translates into increased business and sales. Educational opportunities are provided through the annual Illinois Specialty Growers and Agritourism Conference as well as support of regional workshops. Membership in ATPI also provides support for the growth and promotion of the agritourism industry.
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| Executive Committee |
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President
Ross Ament
Agritourism Consultant, Ament Associates, Inc.
Vice President
Lowell Lenschow V
Manager, Illinois Specialty Growers Association
Secretary
Bonnie Heimbach
Executive Director, Northern Illinois Tourism Development Office
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Treasurer
Mary Landon
Development Manager, Western Illinois Tourism Development Office
Past President
John Pike
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| Board Members |
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Carolyn Brown Hodge
Director of Rural Affairs, Office of Lieutenant
Governor Pat Quinn
Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant
Extension Specialist, Small Farm and Sustainable Agriculture,
University of Illinois Extension
SARE Coordinator
Mac Condill
The Great Pumpkin Patch
Bruce Curry
Owner, Country Corner Roadside Market
Kristin DiCenso
Director, Public Services, Illinois Department
of Natural Resources
Lary Eckert
Chairman, Eckert's Country Store & Farms
Brooke Doggett
Tourism Development Administrator, DCEO,
Illinois Bureau of Tourism
Wally Furrow
Owner, Furrow Vineyard and Winery, LTD
LuAnn Haydon
Manager, John Deere Pavilion and Foundation Facilities
LaMonica Henrekin
Sandy Pine Elk Farm
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Angela Massey
Development Director, Southwestern Illinois
Tourism Development Office
Brenda Matherly
Assistant Director of Local Government,
Illinois Farm Bureau
Chris Miner
Illinois Department of Agriculture
Erin Orwig
Technical Assistant, Illinois Value-Added Rural Development Center, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
Mike Rahe
Owner, Spring View Acres
Stephanie Rhodes
Executive Director, Southern Illinois Tourism Development Office
Betty Sirles
Owner, Rendleman Orchards
Bruce Wicks, Ph.D
Associate Professor, University of Illinois,
Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Heather Wilkins
Executive Director, Central Illinois Tourism Development Office |
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