From 50 hens to 4,500 layers, Aaron Brand shares the lessons, challenges, and rewards of building a successful egg enterprise alongside a diversified agritourism farm.

There is something powerful about stepping onto another farm and seeing agritourism through a fresh set of eyes. New layouts, new revenue streams, new guest experiences, new food ideas, and new conversations all have a way of sending attendees home with notebooks full of possibilities. That is exactly what happened when NAFDMA members and friends gathered for the 2026 Agritourism Farm Tour, June 16–17. Over two full days, attendees explored a diverse lineup of farms and destinations across Virginia and Maryland, each offering a unique look at how agriculture, retail, events, hospitality, and seasonal experiences can come together to create memorable guest experiences. A Tour Rooted in Learning, Connection & Big Ideas The Agritourism Farm Tour is designed to get operators out from behind their own gates and onto farms where learning happens in real time. From fall festival operations and pick-your-own crops to farm markets, food service, event venues, garden centers, and beverage experiences, this tour offered a wide range of ideas for attendees to take home, adapt, and make their own. And of course, some of the best learning happened between stops — on the bus, over meals, during tours, and in the conversations shared between agritourism professionals who understand the joy, pressure, creativity, and heart behind this industry. Day by Day: Inspiration Across Virginia & Maryland Day One — Big Fall Energy, Farm History & Market Experiences The first day began at Cox Farms , a second-generation family business known for creating one of the largest fall events in the Mid-Atlantic region. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from an operation that builds much of its own guest experience, manages major seasonal staffing demands, and continues to grow its fall festival and haunted attraction offerings year after year. From food made on site to large-scale attractions and highly intentional seasonal planning, Cox Farms offered a powerful look at what it takes to build a destination that guests return to again and again. From there, the tour traveled to Belvedere Plantation , a working production farm with a deep history along the Rappahannock River. Attendees learned about the farm’s evolution from pick-your-own strawberries and pumpkins into a fall festival destination featuring the Great Pumpkin Patch, Great Adventure Maize Maze, food venues, and more than 25 attractions. Even though the farm was not open for its fall season during the visit, the stop provided valuable behind-the-scenes insight into seasonal operations, layout, and long-term direct marketing growth. The afternoon continued at Old House Vineyards , a family-owned agritourism destination in Virginia wine country. Set on 165 acres of working farmland, Old House Vineyards showcased how a farm can create gathering spaces around wine, beer, spirits, tours, tastings, weddings, and private events. It was a beautiful reminder that agritourism can be about slowing down, creating atmosphere, and giving guests a reason to stay, celebrate, and return. The day wrapped up at Messick’s Farm Market , a third-generation family farm with roots dating back to the 1920s. Attendees explored how the Messick family blends traditional agriculture, dairy, crop production, a farm market, pick-your-own crops, local products, prepared foods, outdoor play areas, and seasonal festivals. With fresh produce, deli offerings, ice cream, children’s attractions, and hands-on farm experiences, Messick’s highlighted the power of creating a true community gathering place. Day Two — Legacy Farms, Garden Retail & Seasonal Expansion The second day began at Butler’s Orchard , a family-owned Maryland farm that has grown from 25 acres of peaches and a small farm market under an apple tree into more than 300 acres of fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, pick-your-own crops, seasonal events, and a vibrant farm market. The Butler story offered attendees a meaningful look at legacy, customer service, family involvement, and the way a farm can grow while still honoring its roots. Next, the tour visited Homestead Gardens , the largest enclosed garden center in the Baltimore–Washington, D.C. area. This stop highlighted the many ways retail, education, community outreach, events, environmental advocacy, and hospitality can work together. From the Beer Farm collaboration and event spaces to kids’ programming, signature events, fundraising, and sustainability efforts, Homestead Gardens offered creative inspiration for farms looking to expand their impact beyond traditional retail. The tour concluded at Montpelier Farms , a fall festival destination preparing for its 19th season. With more than 30 fall attractions, a 7-acre corn maze, farm animals, food service, a café, a market and donut operation in a historic tobacco barn, events, private campfires, and a growing tulip experience, Montpelier Farms showcased the importance of season extension and creative use of farm assets. Their fall festival, nighttime offerings, tulip planting, food options, and event spaces gave attendees plenty to think about as they headed home. Why This Tour Mattered This was more than a list of farm stops. It was a collection of real-world lessons that agritourism operators can carry back to their own businesses: Guest experience is built with intention. From arrival flow and food placement to photo ops, play areas, markets, and gathering spaces, every detail matters. Seasonal businesses require year-round thinking. Many of the farms on the tour showed how planning, building, staffing, and improving never really stop. Food and retail continue to be powerful profit centers. Farm markets, cafés, donuts, beverages, prepared foods, and local products all played a key role in the guest experience. Legacy and innovation can grow side by side. These farms honored family history while continuing to evolve for today’s guests. Connection is one of NAFDMA’s greatest strengths. The conversations, questions, and shared experiences between attendees are what make these tours so valuable. What’s Next? Whether you joined us on the tour or followed along from home, we hope this recap gives you fresh ideas and encouragement for your own farm, market, or agritourism destination. NAFDMA events are created to bring operators together for education, inspiration, and connection — because when we learn from one another, our farms, families, teams, and communities grow stronger. Keep an eye on upcoming NAFDMA opportunities, including future tours, learning events, and the Agritourism Convention & Expo. Your next great idea may be waiting at the next stop. Thank You A heartfelt thank you to each farm that opened its gates, shared its story, and gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the creativity and hard work behind their operations. Thank you to everyone who attended, asked questions, shared ideas, and made the 2026 Agritourism Farm Tour such a meaningful experience. And thank you to our 2026 Farm Tour sponsors for helping make this event possible. Together, these shared experiences continue to strengthen the agritourism industry — one farm, one conversation, and one new idea at a time.