MSU Extension uses agriculture expertise to guide tourism efforts

Published: 2019
By Pat Mcglynn

Non-resident travel contributed $614.2 million to the economy of Flathead County in 2018. When adding indirect economic activity, tourism contributed $824 million to the region in 2018 (Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, University of Montana). MSU Extension Agent in agriculture, natural resource and community development, Pat McGlynn, began working in agritourism with the Montana Department of Agriculture and the Montana Department of Commerce in 2012. Since then, she has assisted with legislation that limited liability for agriculture producers in order to have tourists visit their farms, assisted in developing a Montana Agritourism manual for agriculture producers to begin farm-based activities, coordinated local farm dinners for travel writers, helped develop and teach a multi-functional farming class and is a resource for farmers in Montana who are contemplating diversifying their income. McGlynn belongs to the National Extension Tourism team and has a governors appointment to serve on the Tourism Advisory Council for the state of Montana since 2015. Tourism contributes more than $3.6 billion to Montana’s economy, second only to agriculture at $4.6 billion. McGlynn's work gives MSU Extension a voice at the table in guiding how visitors perceive Montana and how the bed tax is allocated in research and management strategies.