But the much-touted Mormon Heritage Area celebrating Utah's pioneer past and the 19th century drive for self-sufficiency has left out a component that's critical to the survival of rural Utah - its farmers and ranchers.

"We've dabbled at supporting agritourism," said Monte Bona, who helped lead the drive for the area designation. "Now the time has come to push this through."

There's been some local opposition to agritourism, in part because farmers and ranchers are geared to selling their products as commodities rather than inviting guests to their spreads, which requires a new way of doing business.

"I tell farmers to think of tourists as cows," said extension agent Gary Anderson. "Milk 'em, and let them go."

Statewide, there is no comprehensive plan or information clearinghouse to help farming operations expand into agritourism.

The groundwork to promote agritourism was laid in 2004 when the Utah Legislature approved a pioneer heritage center for the Snow College campus in Ephraim. At the proposed center, a full-time extension agent from Utah State University would advise farmers and ranchers wanting to expand their operations to accommodate tourist visits or retreats.

Problem is, Utah lawmakers allocated no money for such a center. But that could change next January when organizers ask for an appropriation.

U.S. Highway 89 takes in the world-class sites of Little Denmark, Sevier Valley, Headwaters, Under the Rim and the Boulder Mountain loops. Organizers say tourists could chose from a variety of vacation packages, featuring art galleries and artisan studios, heritage lodging, western and ancient world tours, historic sites, local celebrations, antiques and indigenous foods.

In Millard County, agritourism is a tiny part of the Great Basin National Heritage area, which includes White Pine County across the border in Nevada and the Duckworth and Ely Shoshone American Indian reservations. The area follows the Pony Express and Overland trails and seeks to preserve historic resources such as forests of thousand-year-old bristlecone pine trees.

Millard County Commissioner Daron Smith says it's difficult for farmers and ranchers who want to expand into agritourism because they must deal with several government agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management and environmental organizations.

"It takes an extreme amount of time to change your operation," said Smith. "And then there's the high cost of liability insurance, along with the worry that some kind of accident on your place could put your whole operation into jeopardy."

This month President Bush signed a bill to create the Mormon Heritage and Great Basin National Heritage areas. Congress has established 27 National Heritage Areas and provided up to $10 million over the next 15 years for each of the sites - including Utah's first two designated areas.

dawn@sltrib.com