Faculty and Staff Profile

Kara Rutter

Educational Background

2008 University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Master of Hospitality Administration

2005 Nova Southeastern University, BS, Professional Management 2014 Academy of Art University, BFA, Interior Architecture and Design

Profile

Kara Rutter is a PhD Candidate in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at Clemson University, where her work centers on agritourism, rural development, and veteran farmer entrepreneurship. A U.S. Army veteran and co-owner of Rutter’s Ranch in South Carolina, she brings both academic and practical perspectives to her research. Kara leads multiple grant-funded initiatives, including the Agritourism Incubator Program and veteran-focused farming projects, and is committed to translating research into programs that strengthen rural economies, support sustainable agriculture, and build community resilience.

Research Interests

Kara Rutter’s research examines the intersection of agritourism, community development, and veteran entrepreneurship. She focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating programs that enhance economic, social, and environmental sustainability in rural communities. Drawing on frameworks such as the Community Capitals Framework and program evaluation models, her work investigates how agritourism incubators and care farming initiatives can foster entrepreneurial capacity, strengthen local food systems, and promote resilience among veteran farmers. By integrating applied research, grant-funded programming, and practitioner engagement, she seeks to bridge academic theory with real-world impact.

Research Publications

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Regional Agritourism Development, World Agritourism Congress, 2024 (poster)
Play, Place, and Purpose: Unpacking Agritourist Behavior Through Leisure and Place Attachment, 2025 NETtra Conference Proceedings, 2026
Flocking to the Farm: An Agritourism Incubator for Veteran-led Farms, 2025 NETtra Conference Proceedings, 2026