THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE (UMES), WILL HOST A MARYLAND AGRITOURISM CONFERENCE IN CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND ON DECEMBER 10-12, 2023. THE THEME OF THE CONFERENCE IS GROWING MARYLAND AGRITOURISM THE CONFERENCE GOAL IS TO CREATE AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR A MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT OF STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING: ENTREPRENEURS, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS ABOUT ENHANCING THE PROMOTION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF MARYLAND AGRITOURISM. SPECIFIC EMPHASIS WILL BE MADE TO ENGAGE SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED AND UNDERSERVED MINORITY FARMERS INCLUDING WOMEN FARMERS AND FUTURE GENERATION OF YOUNG SCHOLARS AND STUDENTS. THIS CONFERENCE WILL HELP CONCEPTUALIZE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN AGRITOURISM IN MARYLAND TO BE SUPPORTED BY UMES EXTENSION. THE CONFERENCE IS EXPECTED TO SET THE STAGE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE PROGRAMS IN AGRITOURISM INCLUDING: THE DEVELOPMENT OF CURRICULA FOR EDUCATIONAL TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND EVIDENCE-BASED EXTENSION. THE PLENARY AND BREAKOUT SESSIONS INCLUDE A VARIETY OF TOPICS OF CURRENT INTEREST WHICH WERE PRIMARILY SOLICITED FROM STAKEHOLDERS. BROADLY, THE TOPICS INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LEGAL ASPECTS OF AGRITOURISM; VALUE ADDITION AND MARKETING; NETWORKING; EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR BEGINNING AND FUTURE FARMERS; GOVERNMENT SUPPORT AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES; BUILDING SUSTAINABLE AGRITOURISM ECOSYSTEM; FARM AND INCOME DIVERSIFICATION; AND CHALLENGES AND LESSONS IN AGRITOURISM BUSINESS. CONFERENCE SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE: NATIONAL AGRITOURISM EXPERTS; KEY CONSTITUENTS FROM COUNTIES, ENVIRONMENTAL NGOS, LAND CONSERVANCY AND OTHER RELEVANT AGENCIES; AND, STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES. THIS CONFERENCE IS HIGHLY RELEVANT TO THE MANY FARMS AND FARM FAMILIES IN MARYLAND, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE AND THE NASCENT AGRITOURISM INDUSTRY TO THE ECONOMY OF THE STATE. MORE SPECIFICALLY AGRITOURISM IS AN ESSENTIAL SOURCE OF REVENUE PARTICULARLY FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM FARMS AND IT OFFERS VISITORS PRACTICAL OR EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION AS WELL AS RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. IN ADDITION, VARIOUS ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES INVOLVED IN AGRITOURISM OFFER SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITIES TO REVITALIZE RURAL COMMUNITIES. FINALLY, THIS SECTOR WILL CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO PRESERVE FARMING, FARMLAND AND RURAL OPEN SPACE, CREATE JOBS, AND ENHANCE THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL COMMUNITIES.