We are the global leaders in agritourism.

From farmers, tourism professionals, university professors, and everyone in between, get to know the leaders driving the Global Agritourism Network forward with their expertise and commitment to agritourism.

Executive Committee

2024-2026

Carla Barbieri, PhD

President

Originally from Peru, Carla is a Professor at North Carolina State University (USA) where she leads research and outreach at the Agritourism & Societal Well-being Lab.

Lisa Chase, PhD

Past President

Lisa is a Professor at the University of Vermont Extension (USA) and focuses on the intersection of agritourism, food systems, and community development.

Valeria Klitsounova, PhD

Vice President

Valeria (Lera) has is an Associate Professor at Belarusian State University and founder of the Belarusian Association of Rural and Ecotourism.

Chadley Hollas

Secretary

Chadley is a consultant and researcher with Cultivating Tourism specializing in sustainable tourism and agritourism, based in Georgia, USA.

Rohana Mahaliyanaarachchi, PhD

Treasurer

Rohana is a Professor and former Vice Chancellor at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka and University of Visual and Performing Arts

Regional Committee Chairs

2024-2026

Jerry Spooner

Pacific

Jerry is the founder of Regenerative Vanua, leading efforts to integrate cultural heritage and agritourism.

Tim Parsons

Australia and New Zealand (Co-Chair)

Tim Parsons is a 6th generation farmer and agritourism host in Tasmania’s Curringa Farm.  

Allison Clark

Australia and New Zealand (Co-Chair)

Allison is an agritourism development consultant with Optimum Standard based in Tasmania.

Joselito Bernardo

Southeastern Asia

Joselito is an independent management consultant focused on the agriculture sector in the Asia Pacific Region.

Pandurang Taware

South and Western Asia

Pandurang is the Father of Agritourism in India and the founder of the Agri Tourism Development Corporation.

Kumar Bhatta, PhD

East Asia

Kumar is a researcher at Kyushu University, Japan, and North Carolina State University focusing on agritourism development.

Shpresim Domi, PhD

Eastern Europe

Shpresim is an Associate Professor at the Agricultural University of Tirana and is a founder of the Albania Agritourism Association.

Thomas Streifeneder, PhD

Western Europe

Thomas is the Head of the Institute for Regional Development at Eurac Research in Bolzano, Italy.

Jacqui Taylor

Southern Africa

Jacqui is the founder of Agritourism Africa and an advocate of agritourism to boost rural economies and preserve cultural heritage.

Maria Baryamujura

East Africa

Maria is the founder of the Community Based Tourism Initiative (COBATI) in Uganda, focusing on empowering rural communities.

Doolarie (Dee) Singh-Knights, PhD

Latin America and the Caribbean

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Dee is a Professor of Resource Economics and Management at West Virginia University.

Suzi Spahr

North America (Co-Chair)

Suzi is the Executive Director of NAFDMA International Agritourism Association where she leads efforts to advance farm direct marketing and agritourism.

Scottie Jones

North America (Co-Chair)

Scottie is the founder of Farm Stay, a US association of farm stay operators, and operates Leaping Lamb Farm in Oregon, USA.

Auxiliary Committee Chairs

2024-2026

R. David Lamie, PhD

Research (Co-Chair)

David is an Associate Professor at Clemson University specializing in agribusiness and rural development.

Corinne Stewart

Research (Co-Chair)

Corinne is the President of the ISLE Sustainability Network, an association dedicated to innovating, teaching, and promoting sustainable development.

Rose Wright

Policy and Advocacy

Rose is the founder and Managing Director of Regionality Pty Ltd, with a career spanning over three decades.

Caroline Millar

Events and Conferences

Caroline is the Sector Lead for Scottish Agritourism and operates The Hideaway Experience, a 5-star tourism business on her family farm in Angus.

David Gillespie

Sustainable & Regenerative Agriculture and Agritourism

David owns a 250-hectare mixed farm in Quebec, Canada, and is an agritourism connector focused on regenerative agriculture practices.

Suzi Spahr

Communications (Co-Chair)

Suzi is the Executive Director of NAFDMA International Agritourism Association where she leads efforts to advance farm direct marketing and agritourism.

Lisa Frank

Communications (Co-Chair)

Lisa operates Kingston Downs and is an entrepreneur specializing in brand marketing and business development within the agritourism sector in the U.S.

Marijke Dunselman

Education (Co-Chair)

Marijke is the founder of Agritourism New Zealand, an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting agritourism operators.

Lisa Chase, PhD

Education (Co-Chair)

Lisa is a Professor at University of Vermont Extension, and focuses on the intersection of agritourism, food systems, and community development.

Pandurang Taware

World Agritourism Day

Pandurang is the Father of Agritourism in India and the founder of the Agri Tourism Development Corporation.

Join us in growing agritourism

Become a part of the Global Agritourism Network and help strengthen rural communities. Together, we support sustainable growth and empower those shaping the future of agritourism.