Authenticity + Connection Matters

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!

Guest author this week - Johnny Lyle from Cap.co . They are based out of the UK and now doing work in the US and Canada. Read more into his insights about scarcity and authenticity.

Every farm festival has hayrides, food, and animals to pet. But the events that families remember—and return to year after year—always offer something unique. One of the simplest ways to add that unforgettable “WOW” factor is with the Giant Bubble Festival Experience from South Beach Bubbles. Pro Tip #1: Create a Signature Photo Moment Families love to capture and share their experiences. With the WOWmazing® Tri-String Wand, the same two-handle design used in every Guinness World Record bubble for the last 30 years, you can create bubbles taller than kids and wider than tractors. Paired with the WOWmazing® Giant Bubble Powder Jug, you will have enough solution to keep bubbles flying for hours, ensuring your festival is shared all over social media. Pro Tip #2: Draw and Hold Crowds Giant bubbles are natural magnets. A single WOWmazing® Powder Jug makes up to 148 gallons of bubble solution, enough to fuel a full day of non stop excitement and steady foot traffic. Pro Tip #3: Build Memories that Bring Them Back When kids go home talking about bubbles bigger than themselves, parents take note. By delivering that magical moment, your farm festival stands out—and becomes a tradition families look forward to every year. Order your Giant Bubble Festival Experience essentials today in the South Beach Bubbles Catalog .

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.

I left exhilarated, exhausted, and inspired—all at once!

In the ever-evolving world of agritourism, planning ahead gives you the competitive edge. From February 5-9, 2026 , the agritourism community will gather in Orlando for the next NAFDMA Agritourism Convention & Expo — an event designed to equip you, your team, and your business with new ideas, strategies, and connections. The Purpose Behind the Event Agritourism isn’t just about attracting visitors — it’s about creating meaningful experiences, extending your season, optimizing your operations, and generating sustainable growth. This convention is built for those who want more than just inspiration; it’s for those ready to act. Whether you’re refining guest experiences, scaling up retail operations, or transforming your farm into a destination, this event gives you the framework and tools to move forward. What You’ll Get Out of It Attendees will benefit in multiple ways: Real-world learning through tours. Visit live operations, see how fellow agritourism businesses are executed, get actionable take-aways. High-impact educational sessions. From marketing and staffing to logistics and guest experience — the sessions are built around what agritourism professionals need today. A dynamic expo floor. Engage with vendors offering tools, services, and technologies tailored for visitor-based farms and agritourism operations. Connections that last. It’s not just the content — it’s the network. Building relationships with peers, mentors, and vendors creates long-term value. Key Event Details Date: February 5-9, 2026 Location: Orlando, Florida Who should attend: Farm owners, agritourism managers, event-venue operators, team members who handle guest experience, marketing, operations. Highlights to plan for now: Pre-select your sessions based on your current biggest opportunities (for example: enhancing your event-venue layout, boosting per-guest spend, improving seasonal extension). Map out your vendor visits in the expo hall ahead of time. Schedule a team debrief after returning — capture key insights and assign actionable next steps. Why It’s Worth Your Investment Running an agritourism business today means juggling operations, budgeting, guest services, marketing, liability, staffing, and more. Events like this give you concentrated time away from the daily grind — a space to refocus, refresh, and return with a plan. For someone who tracks every detail (budgets, vendor counts, sponsorship tiers, etc.), the return on investment isn’t just measurable—it’s transformative. Make the Most of It Bring a colleague or team member who handles a different area (e.g., one for operations, one for marketing) so you cover more ground. Make a photo book of various spaces, highlights, and trouble areas on your farm. Show the photo book with people you meet to share new ideas and get input to areas you are looking to enhance. Before you go, define 2-3 measurable goals you want to achieve post-event. Take notes during sessions and tours with implementation in mind. Use networking breaks not just to chat, but to ask: “What challenge did you just solve that I’m still working through?” Once you’re back, host a team meeting to share what you learned, delegate follow-up tasks, and set timelines for acting on new ideas. Ready to Register? Visit the official event website to explore full registration options, check out tour and session details, and lock in your spot. This is more than a conference — it’s a stepping-stone for your agritourism business to level up. Ready to lean in?

If there’s one thing farm guests love to take home—besides memories and maybe a jar of jam—it’s a keepsake that reminds them of the fun they had. Enter branded plushies : the soft, snuggly marketing tool that’s warming hearts and helping farms boost their bottom line. A Hug-Sized Branding Opportunity Branded plushies are more than adorable souvenirs—they’re a creative and profitable way to extend your farm’s reach. By customizing plushies to reflect your farm’s personality—whether it’s your star goat, favorite tractor, pumpkin mascot, or sunflower smiley—you create a tangible connection that guests can carry home. These plushies instantly transform into beloved reminders of your farm experience, keeping your name front and center long after their visit. From Shelf Appeal to Sales Power Farm stores have discovered that plushies aren’t just impulse buys—they’re sales multipliers. Pair them with your own jams, honey, or gift baskets for an easy bundle that raises your per-sale value. Plushies also shine as part of seasonal displays or themed promotions —imagine a “Pick-Your-Pumpkin Pal” or “Berry Best Buddy” during harvest season. They’re equally effective at events: maze admissions, farm tours, u-pick patches, and holiday light shows are all perfect occasions to offer a plush mascot as part of a premium package. Seasonal Excitement & Repeat Visits Limited-edition designs tied to seasonal events—think spring lambs, summer bees, or Christmas calves—create anticipation year after year. When guests know there’s a new plush to collect, they’re more likely to return, increasing your repeat-visit rate and social buzz. Turning Guests into Brand Ambassadors The marketing magic doesn’t stop at the checkout counter. High quality plushies naturally find their way into photos, travel bags, and social media posts. Encourage guests to tag your farm with a branded hashtag for a chance to be featured—free, authentic promotion powered by pure joy. The Takeaway Branded plushies do more than delight—they tell your farm’s story in the sweetest, most huggable way possible. Whether snuggled on a child’s bed or shared online, these customized keepsakes turn happy customers into long-term fans who carry your farm’s spirit wherever they go. Want to learn more or create plushies for your farm? Find out more from The RGU Group on Faire: https://www.faire.com/direct/thergugroup?signUp=direct

At Vaughn’s Teaching Farm and Kitchen, sunflowers bloom, zucchinis roll, and families laugh together while discovering the joy of food and farming—one race at a time.