Opening the Gate in Big Sky Country: A Look Back at the 2025 Montana Agritourism Conference
Angie Day • January 8, 2026
Under the wide Montana sky, something powerful happened. Farmers, ranchers, educators, and tourism leaders gathered in Bozeman not just to attend a conference — but to build a stronger bridge between agriculture and community. The 2025 Montana Agritourism Conference delivered two days of learning, connection, and boots-on-the-ground inspiration that left attendees energized and ready to take their next steps in agritourism.
If you missed it, or simply want to relive the highlights, here’s a look back at everything this year’s event had to offer.
A Gathering of Visionaries & Doers
From the moment participants checked in at Montana State University, the energy was unmistakable. Newcomers asked questions. Seasoned operators compared notes. Tourism professionals shared what travelers are craving.
It didn’t matter if someone operated a cattle ranch, a pumpkin patch, a lavender field, or was just beginning to explore agritourism — everyone arrived with the same goal: to learn how to open their gates with confidence, creativity, and sustainability.
Farm Tour: Inspiration on the Ground
The optional pre-conference farm tour set the tone perfectly. Attendees visited Montana agritourism sites actively welcoming visitors — from hands-on farm experiences to value-added operations to ranches building future-ready programming.
Walking the fields with operators who have “been there, done that” brought the ideas to life. You could see the potential, imagine new visitor experiences, and ask real-time questions that only farmers can answer.
One attendee summed it up perfectly: “It’s one thing to talk about agritourism in a classroom — it’s another to stand on a working farm and watch it in action.”
Education That Met You Where You Are
The conference offered three track options so attendees could build the learning journey that fit their stage of development:
🌱 Planting the Seed
Perfect for those exploring agritourism for the first time — packed with foundational info, startup essentials, and the big “what to expect” conversations that every new operator needs.
🚜 Out in the Field
For those already welcoming visitors. Sessions tackled guest experience, programming, operations, event planning, and practical hosting ideas.
🌾 The Long View
Designed for established operators ready to think bigger: succession planning, pricing strategy, growth, partnerships, sustainability, and the long-term health of the farm.
Across every track, participants heard directly from experts, ranchers, and entrepreneurs who have weathered the dust, the doubts, and the triumphs. These weren’t theoretical presentations — they were real stories, real numbers, and real lessons learned.
Key Takeaways Everyone Was Talking About
★ Agritourism is most successful when it serves both land & community.
Attendees left with new ideas on how to tell their story, protect their land, and strengthen their local and regional economies.
★ The visitor experience is shifting.
Travelers want authenticity, meaningful interaction, fresh-air escapes, and opportunities to connect with people — not just products.
★ Safety & liability aren’t hurdles — they’re foundations.
Operators learned practical steps to build safer, clearer, better-protected experiences from day one.
★ Partnerships are the secret ingredient.
Tourism offices, educators, county agents, and neighboring farms all play a role in successful, sustainable agritourism growth.
Connections That Will Last Long After the Conference
One of the most celebrated parts of the event? The relationships.
From hallway conversations to the evening social featuring Montana-grown flavors, attendees found themselves surrounded by people who understand the unique challenges — and joys — of operating a visitor-ready farm or ranch. New friendships formed. Business collaborations sparked. And more than one operator walked away with a renewed sense of purpose.
Looking Ahead
If this year’s event proved anything, it’s that agritourism thrives when we learn from each other. And for many attendees, the biggest takeaway was simple: You don’t have to build this alone. There is a community here — and it’s growing.
Want this experience for yourself, but don't want to wait a year to make it happen? Register for the upcoming NAFDMA Convention and Expo in Orlando, Florida this coming February. You'll experience the same things - farm tours, conversations, expert-led sessions, and relationships to sustain you through your busy season. Join us today!
RECENT ARTICLES
