(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman is re-inviting Nebraska entrepreneurs interested in opportunities to promote agricultural and ecological tourism to attend the rescheduled Governor's Agri-Tourism Workshop on Tuesday, Jan. 17, in Kearney at the Holiday Inn, 110 Second Ave. The event was rescheduled because of inclement weather.

"Twenty-one percent of all Nebraskans are employed in farm or farm-related jobs," Gov. Heineman said. "Agriculture is the largest industry in our state, with tourism ranked third. It makes good economic sense for producers to combine the two for a unique Nebraska experience, and agri-tourism will help grow local economies."

The Governor's Agri-Tourism Workshop, the first of its kind in the state, will explore many aspects involved in establishing, managing and promoting unique attractions and businesses. The one-day workshop targets rural economic developers and landowners looking for ways to diversify agricultural income. The Governor will open the conference at 9:00 a.m., speaking on the importance of rural economic development and tourism's role in its renaissance.

The conference's two featured speakers, Jane Eckert of Eckert Agri-Marketing of St. Louis, and Ted Lee Eubanks of FERMATA Inc. in Austin, Texas, will focus their talks on the increasing interest in rural destinations among travelers and about strategies to make experiential tourism economically viable in small communities.

For more detailed information about the conference, or to register online, go to www.VisitNebraska.org, or call the Nebraska Department of Economic Development's Travel and Tourism Division at 877-NEBRASKA. The $30 registration fee includes lunch and a copy of the new state resource manual on agricultural and ecological tourism. The workshop is open to anyone interested in learning more about these opportunities.

Workshop sponsors include the Travel and Tourism Division, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, the University of Nebraska Lincoln-Extension, KAAPA Country Adventures and the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Aaron Sanderford, Gov's Ofc., 402-471-1967
Mary Ethel Emanuel, Tourism, 402-471-3797