Rooted in Nebraska: Connection, Creativity, and Courage at the 2025 Agritourism & Adventure Travel Workshop

angie  • December 13, 2025

When you gather a room full of farmers, dreamers, and doers, something special happens. Ideas flow like craft beer, laughter fills the air, and you can feel the heartbeat of rural America getting just a little stronger. That’s exactly what unfolded October 27–29 in North Platte, Nebraska, at the 2025 Agritourism & Adventure Travel Workshop (A&ATW) — three days of inspiration, collaboration, and authentic Nebraska hospitality, proudly supported by NAFDMA Agritourism Association.


A Warm Welcome and a Toast to Local Flavor

The workshop kicked off at Pals Brewing Company, where wood-fired pizza met locally crafted brews and genuine conversation. Attendees were welcomed by community leaders, including Lisa Burke from Visit North Platte and David Fudge of the Nebraska Tourism Commission, before diving into Fudge’s keynote on “Creating a Festival in Celebration of Nebraska.”


It set the tone for what this gathering is all about — turning local pride into experiences that invite the world into the farm. With sponsors like NAFDMA, Nebraska Land Bank, and Prairie Friends & Flowers, it was a true team effort in showcasing how agritourism thrives when collaboration takes center stage.


Stories That Spark Ideas

Tuesday brought a lineup of sessions that blended passion with practicality. From Travis Byers’ “Turning Your Passion into Profit” to Stephanie Anderson’s story behind Our Lavender Co., every speaker shared a simple truth: success in agritourism grows from a mix of creativity, grit, and heart.


Breakout sessions like “Pedaling Potters Pasture” and the Gravel Biking Nebraska Panel showed how adventure travel and outdoor recreation can complement traditional farm experiences. Attendees didn’t just listen — they swapped stories, shared lessons learned, and left with notebooks full of fresh ideas.


Field to Field Learning

Site visits took participants across the heart of western Nebraska — from Buffalo Bill Ranch to Dusty Trails LLC, Homestead Pumpkin Patch, and Feather River Vineyards — where they explored the art of creating memorable experiences, from family-friendly pumpkin patches to wine tastings under the stars.


Dinner among the vines, followed by an astronomy program reminded everyone that agritourism isn’t just about what visitors see — it’s about what they feel.


Bloom Where You’re Planted

The final day’s stops at Dahlia Valley Ranch Flower Farm and The Milk House wrapped things up with color, creativity, and community. Between the scent of fresh flowers and the taste of Nebraska-made cheese paired with local wine, participants were reminded that agritourism is as much about connection as it is about commerce.


Why It Matters

Workshops like this one strengthen more than business plans — they strengthen bonds. Whether you’re brainstorming new attractions, navigating challenges, or celebrating wins, being surrounded by people who “get it” can make all the difference.


As one attendee put it while boarding the bus home, “It’s not just about learning new things — it’s about remembering why we started.”


NAFDMA was proud to sponsor this year’s Agritourism & Adventure Travel Workshop, joining in the mission to inspire growth, collaboration, and community across farms and rural destinations everywhere.

Learn more about upcoming NAFDMA events and educational opportunities at  NAFDMA.com — where farms, friendships, and fresh ideas grow together.

RECENT ARTICLES

By Suzi Spahr December 22, 2025
The phone call that everyone needs.
By angie December 15, 2025
At NAFDMA, safety isn’t a seasonal checkbox — it’s a year-round commitment. But this December, we’re turning the spotlight squarely on Risk Reduction , reinforcing our ongoing work to help agritourism operators protect their farms, their guests, and their future. As many of you know, NAFDMA continues to move forward with a long-term focus on risk reduction through education, awareness, and practical, farm-ready tools. From workshops and expert guidance to peer-to-peer learning and legal insight, our goal is simple: to help operators feel more confident, prepared, and supported when it comes to managing risk. December is our opportunity to elevate that conversation — and we invite the entire agritourism community to engage with it. Why Risk Reduction Matters — Now More Than Ever Welcoming guests onto your farm is both a privilege and a responsibility. As agritourism continues to grow, so does the need for clear safety practices, proactive planning, and a deeper understanding of liability and risk exposure. Risk reduction isn’t about fear — it’s about prevention over panic, clarity over confusion, and confidence over uncertainty . When farms take steps to reduce risk, they don’t just protect themselves legally — they create safer, more welcoming experiences for every guest who walks through their gates. That’s why this month’s focus isn’t theoretical. It’s practical, farm-ready, and designed to meet you where you are. Your Questions. Expert Context. Real-World Answers. One of the key initiatives we’re exploring this December is creating space for your real, everyday risk-reduction questions. Throughout the month, NAFDMA will be inviting members to submit legal and risk-related questions — the kind you’ve probably asked yourself or discussed behind the scenes: “Is this signage enough?” “How do I handle public vs. non-public areas?” “What happens if…?” Our plan is to collect, curate, and group these questions, then work with trusted legal experts to provide helpful context and insight. Those responses will be shared in the future as a practical, community-driven resource grounded in real farm scenarios. This approach allows us to: Address common concerns many farms share Reduce confusion around risk and liability Provide clarity without judgment Learn together as an industry Your questions help shape the conversation — and ultimately help fellow operators navigate similar challenges. Send your questions to suzi@nafdma.com . Free Risk Reduction Gifts — Built for Real Farms Education is powerful, but tools you can use right away are even better. As part of Risk Reduction Month, NAFDMA has created two free, downloadable resources designed to help farms take immediate, meaningful action — and we’re just getting started. Additional free Risk Reduction gifts will be rolling out throughout December, so be sure to keep an eye on your inbox and NAFDMA channels. Farm Risk Reduction Gifts So Far: First Aid Kit Checklist Public Access Basic Question List Moving Forward — Together Risk reduction isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about staying proactive, asking good questions, and using the resources available to you. This December, we invite you to: Engage with Risk Reduction Month Submit your questions Download and use the free tools Start conversations with your team Take one step — then another — toward a safer operation Stay proactive. Stay protected. Stay welcoming. We’re grateful to walk this path with you — and we look forward to continuing the conversation in the months ahead.
By Suzi Spahr December 4, 2025
Authenticity + Connection Matters