SCC Latest News Releases

AgriTourism Conference to Take Place in Anna
(released 2/8/05)

Shawnee Community College, Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau and the Southernmost Illinois Agricultural Alliance announce their joint effort to host an Agritourism Conference. The theme of the conference is "Selling our Products and the Experience," with an emphasis on networking with agritourism businesses from Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski and Union counties and partners in tourism and economic development.
Registration and networking will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the meal and program to follow. The program will include items such as regional collaboration highlights from SITB, SCC and U of I Extension, and an update on statewide agritourism progress. The conference will also be an opportunity for brainstorming and goal setting. Participants will be informed of upcoming meetings and opportunities in southern Illinois agritourism.
Southernmost Illinois Agricultural Alliance is a group of agriculture producers, business leaders and economic development professionals. The group will work cooperatively toward developing, expanding, strengthening enterprise related to agritourism such as, farm markets, fee hunting, bed and breakfast facilities, wineries, orchards, horse trails, camping and other related attractions.
"Agritourism is a way to use the land and character of the rural setting to attract visitors to southern Illinois," said Stephanie Rhodes, agritourism development coordinator for Shawnee Community College.
"It is also a way to preserve and showcase our local landscapes and rural communities while attracting visitors," Rhodes said. "Agritourism is very important to our local economies as we attract overnight visitors."
The conference is designed to assist those already in the industry, or are interested in the agritourism industry, and is open to anyone in the southernmost seven counties. The conference will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m., March 1, at the Great Boars of Fire Lodge in Cobden. The fee for the event will be $15 which will cover individual meals and materials. Please register by contacting Stephanie Rhodes, by Feb. 22 at 800-248-4374 or stephanier@shawneecc.edu. Shawnee Community College is a fully accredited two-year public college that serves more than 5,200 students annually with baccalaureate, vocational and adult education programs. The college serves the residents of Alexander, Union, Pulaski, Johnson, Massac Counties, and a part of Jackson County as well as collar counties in Missouri and Kentucky. The college provides quality higher education, vocational education, training and services at the lowest cost possible with campuses and centers in Anna, Cairo, East St. Louis, Metropolis, and Ullin. To learn more about Shawnee Community College visit us at www.shawneecc.edu.