The Wild Rose Agritourism Innovation Challenge has come to a close, with the winners being selected following the pitch showcase at the end of March. Community Futures Wild Rose, in partnership with Factor 5 and with support from various grants and governments, designed the challenge for regional leaders in this space to partner with their neighbours and develop exciting new business clusters. The end goal: turn the Wild Rose region into the agritourism capital of Canada.
Throughout the campaign, business operators were encouraged to expand their operations to capitalize on emerging opportunities to grow the tourism sector and showcase the local assets.
Entrepreneurs, farmers, and tourism businesses registered for the Innovation Challenge, where they received training, business services and support, as well as marketing materials and products including video, photography, and website development. The finalists participated in a pitch showcase to determine the winners.
Wild Rose Agritourism Innovation Challenge Winners:
BJ Janzen
Rosebud Country Market & Dark Sky Initiative
Prize: Supports to conduct a feasibility study, business plan and dark sky promotional material.
Jennifer Franssen
Whispering Cedars Ranch
Farm Stays
Prize: Supports to develop a business plan and regional partnerships.
Rosemary Wotske
Poplar Bluff Distillery and Steakhouse
Prize: Supports to complete a pre-feasibility study and investment profile.
Additional awards have been provided to Good Knights Medieval Encampment, Bighorn Tours, Local Up Collaborative Projects and Old MacMiller Farm, who will all receive support to continue the development of their agri-tourism businesses.
To watch the pitch videos, visit www.wildroseagritourism.ca. Additional information on the program can be found in this article.
For more information on the project, please contact Wendy Gerbrandt at Community Futures Wild Rose (wendyg@albertacf.com or 403-934-8888 ext. 3).