INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Turning part of a five-generation farm into a destination agribusiness can come with local zoning regulations, transportation issues and other potential roadblocks that farmers may have difficulty leaping without some professional help.

That’s the main thrust behind the National Agritourism Professional Assoc. (NAPA), a new group formed during its charter meeting last month in Indianapolis. NAPA is a professional trade group, and its membership so far consists of a variety of local, regional and state governments and nonprofit entities that have access to people and services that will aid the group with its key mission: To help growers start or expand agribusinesses.

"With the rapid expansion of agritourism in recent years, the need for this particular type of trade association has become quite evident," said Martha Glass, an agritourism professional from North Carolina and NAPA’s founder. "It was exciting to have an international group of our industry’s leaders gather in Indiana to create our new organization. When agritourism prospers, so does the local economy."

Glass said she has worked on forming the group for nearly two years. Among the 21 states and Canadian provinces represented at the group’s initial meeting were the agriculture departments for Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and South Carolina, the Illinois Specialty Growers Assoc., the Alabama Cooperative Extension and representatives from several schools, including the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, the University of California-Davis and Michigan State University.

"In the agritourism industry, I have found that there are very few educational opportunities for farmers to learn how to work with local officials in areas such as zoning, building requirements, taxes, liability insurance, farm safety, food safety and highway signage," Glass said.

To that end, NAPA will serve as a partner for farmers who seek assistance with their agribusiness needs, and provide educational programs for ag professionals throughout the country.

The Indiana Office of Tourism Develop-ment is one of the charter members of NAPA, and it hosted the group’s first meeting. "We … look forward to building a strong relationship with (NAPA) as we promote Indiana’s agritourism destinations and attractions," said Mark Newman, Indiana Tourism’s executive director.

"Agriculture is Indiana’s calling card, is an important part of our heritage and is a definitive piece of all that is honest-to-goodness Indiana."

Glass said she is in the process of applying for nonprofit status so NAPA can apply and qualify for a host of state and federal grants to help cover program expenses. The group plans to conduct its first conference sometime early in 2015, she said. For more, go to the group’s website at http://napa-usacanada.com