Supporting the People Behind the Produce Running a farm is deeply rewarding — but it can also be demanding, exhausting, and emotionally heavy. Long hours, seasonal pressure, family responsibilities, and the unpredictability of agriculture can make it difficult to maintain balance between work and personal well-being. At NAFDMA, we believe supporting farms means supporting the people behind them . That’s why our Education Center includes resources focused on mental health, wellness, and work-life balance for farm operators and their teams. These sessions from NAFDMA speakers and members offer practical strategies, honest conversations, and encouragement for navigating the realities of farm life while protecting your physical and emotional well-being. Below are a few examples of what awaits you in NAFDMA's Education Center ! To access these resources: Visit NAFDMA.com Click on Education Center Log in to your account Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Work-Life Balance  Mental Health on the Farm This powerful session opens the door to an important conversation happening across agriculture: mental health. As the stigma surrounding mental health begins to fade, more farmers are sharing their experiences and supporting one another. In this session, Christy Heimstra of Clovermead Adventure Farm, Phil Quinn of Quinn Farm, and Colleen McKay of Your Farm Market share personal stories of navigating mental health crises that impacted their families and businesses. Their experiences remind us that no one in the NAFDMA community has to face these challenges alone. Yesterday’s Gone: Thriving in Your Business Today Presented by Bob Phibbs This session focuses on practical strategies for resetting your mindset and creating positive momentum in your daily routine. Bob Phibbs shares tips for starting and ending each day with intention , along with an interactive exercise designed to build a “positive energy shield” to help you stay focused and energized in your work and leadership. Staying Emotionally and Physically Healthy on the Farm Presented by Deanna Black Balancing health and business during a busy farm season is no easy task. In this workshop, Deanna Black explores how farms can support both financial wellness and personal wellness . Topics include: Developing pricing systems and programs that support both profitability and personal balance Reframing the “J.O.B.” mindset — Justifying Others’ Business vs. Joy of Being Maintaining physical wellness during the busiest parts of the farm season Keep Calm and Farm On Presented by Deanna Black Stress is inevitable in farm life — but managing it effectively is a skill that can be learned. This session helps participants: Recognize stress triggers and behavioral tendencies Identify activities that restore energy and focus Utilize tools and resources that support healthier stress management both at home and on the farm Wellness vs. Fitness Within Farm Life Presented by Deanna Black Wellness and fitness are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. This session explores how farmers can understand the difference and create realistic strategies for maintaining both. Participants will: Learn the benefits of both wellness and physical fitness Identify areas of life that support — or hinder — health Develop two practical wellness programs: one for peak season and one for the off-season Positive Farm Fitness Presented by Deanna Black Being healthy on the farm doesn’t require gym memberships or complicated routines. This session focuses on simple, sustainable ways to maintain energy, happiness, and productivity throughout the season. Participants will discover how small moments of movement, laughter, and intentional care can make a significant difference in both personal well-being and farm performance. A Healthier Farm Starts with a Healthier Farmer Agritourism is built on passion, hospitality, and community. But none of those things can thrive if the people running the farm are burned out or overwhelmed. Taking time to care for your mental, emotional, and physical health isn’t a luxury — it’s an investment in your farm, your family, and your future. The NAFDMA community is here to support you every step of the way.

You can hear it before you see it. That squeal. That belly laugh. That unmistakable thud-bounce-thud rhythm of kids launching themselves into pure joy. Walk into any thriving agritourism destination and you’ll spot it fast — a sea of flying hair, flailing arms, and parents pretending they’re “just supervising” while secretly wishing it was their turn. A Jumping Pillow® isn’t just an attraction. It’s energy. It’s connection. It’s family time disguised as fun. It’s revenue wrapped in laughter. And when placed intentionally? It becomes one of the hardest-working assets on your property. What Is a Jumping Pillow® — and Why It Works The Jumping Pillow® is a patented inflatable play surface designed to bring hours of fun to guests of all ages. With more than 30 years of experience and thousands of installations worldwide, Original Jumping Pillows has perfected not just the product — but how it performs as a business booster for farms, attractions, camps, resorts, and parks. Unlike standard inflatables, Jumping Pillows® are: Engineered for safety and durability with certified materials built to withstand heavy, daily use Customizable in size and color to match your layout and branding Fully insurable and compliant , something experienced operators deeply value This isn’t a temporary attraction. It’s infrastructure for engagement. The Business Opportunity: Engagement That Pays Attraction elements are only as valuable as the memories they help create — and the revenue they help sustain. Jumping Pillows® do both. 1. They Draw Foot Traffic — and Keep Families Longer Kids can’t resist them. And when kids stay longer, adults stay longer too. More time on your property means: More meals purchased More merchandise sold More add-on experiences booked Length of stay is one of the strongest revenue indicators in agritourism. A jumping pillow naturally extends it. 2. They Boost On-Site Revenue Whether included in admission or offered as a premium experience, a Jumping Pillow® creates a clear reason for guests to say “yes.” It’s visible. It’s tangible. It feels like value. And it often becomes the reason families return next season. 3. They Enhance Social Share-ability In today’s digital world, joy is marketing. A vibrant jumping pillow setup becomes a photo magnet — bright colors, mid-air laughter, wind-blown hair. Guests capture it. Tag it. Share it. Free promotion. Real families. Authentic excitement. Actionable Ways to Feature a Jumping Pillow® Smart placement and programming amplify impact. Here’s how operators maximize theirs: Gateway Placement Position it near your entrance or main lawn so guests see it immediately. First impressions matter. Seasonal Events Pair bounce sessions with themed days — fall festivals, summer splash events, even holiday light nights. Tiered Pricing Offer structured play times: First 30 minutes included with admission Extended time available for a small fee It creates natural up-sell opportunities without feeling forced. Package Play With Merchandise The pillow experience opens doors for retail — just like successful farms pair play with products. Consider: “I Bounced Here” kids’ tees Branded water bottles for warm days Jumping Pillow® keychains or stickers Small purchases. Big emotional payoff. The Takeaway A Jumping Pillow® isn’t just another play structure. It’s an engagement engine. A photo magnet. A revenue driver. When placed intentionally and marketed creatively, it becomes more than a feature — it becomes part of your farm’s identity. And in agritourism, identity drives loyalty. Loyalty drives return visits. And return visits drive sustainable growth.

What if the biggest return on investment you’ll ever see isn’t a new attraction, a better marketing plan, or even higher attendance…What if it’s the people?

There’s something truly special that happens when passionate people gather with a shared purpose — and that magic was on full display at the 2026 NAFDMA Convention & Expo in Orlando. From the moment everyone arrived, the energy, connection, learning, laughter, and heartfelt conversations reminded us why this community is so powerful. On behalf of the entire NAFDMA team, THANK YOU for showing up, leaning in, sharing openly, and making this year’s convention one of our most meaningful yet.

Too often, unique, high-value seasonal items remain lost on shelves, unable to compete with the sheer volume of surrounding jars and packages in a sea of monotony. Identify one " sleeper product " each season—a special jam, a gourmet baking mix, a heritage squash variety—and give it the dedicated display it deserves. The Opportunity: When you isolate a single item and present it powerfully, you create exclusivity, rarity, and urgency . This strategy focuses the customer's buying energy on a high-margin, seasonally relevant star . Actionable Tip: Create a monumental feature display for that one product, ideally placed at the store entrance or in a highly trafficked area. Use dramatic height, premium signage that tells the product’s unique story (e.g., "The Forgotten Heirloom: Our Great-Grandmother's Winter Squash"), and focused lighting . On a smaller scale, highlighting a niche item on a dedicated, small table can raise awareness and encourage impulse buying. By giving a single product this "shout-out" moment, you transform it from a commodity on a shelf into a must-have seasonal treasure .

Creating the design for the Cove Playground at the National Maritime Museum was a different experience for us. We are no strangers to inclusive play with Windsor , Boundless and Blenheim under our belt already. In this project, we were given the opportunity to work with some local stakeholders to fully understand what would make a new adventure play area properly accessible. By the time the design was finished, we had spent more than 100 hours in consultation with over 200 individual stakeholders from local SEND schools and groups, to help design the play they had always dreamed of being able to enjoy. The stakeholder engagement touched every part of the design on the micro and macro scale. Wide design themes such as number, characteristics and location of access points to site, right down to the smallest finishing touches. We baked their thinking into the fabric of the playground from the get go, making the SEN features coherent and part of the narrative of the play, rather than adding it as a second thought. At the recent opening event, some of the children from Willow Dene School were tasked with cutting the ribbon to declare the play open, as a thank you for their invaluable input. There were speeches too, but the one that stood out was by Lisa Parascandolo from Willow Dene, which we reprint here in full. "Willow Dene school is a special needs school with students ranging from 2-19, with cohorts of children and young people with complex needs and autism. We are so used to being unseen. Or if we are seen, it is in a “less than” capacity. That our children and young people do not have opinions or cannot express what they want or need. To be included in this whole process, not just as a tick box exercise, add an accessible swing here, an inclusive roundabout there…an afterthought, but to be asked what we wanted, what would we like to have in a play space, how do our children play. It was truly remarkable. We often do not get to talk about our children in this way, for the families, children and staff to openly discuss what we need to help assist with play. We were able to raise wanting to use all our senses within play, to be able to discover our vestibular sense and develop our proprioceptive sense. And the wonderful experience of being heard. We discussed the wheelchair accessible ramp having ‘passing places’ and the architects getting to understand why that was important and then putting that into the design. When the only people that usually take the time to understand what you need are your family and your teachers, it’s almost a euphoric experience to have these conversations. I was fortunate to have a walk around the site yesterday and it is truly amazing to see something come to life from all the drawings and concepts we have been involved with. Initially for our families, it was that feeling of being included and not as an afterthought. For them to talk about their child and to feel heard. To discuss how important it is to have inclusive and accessible play spaces. Families come in all shapes and sizes. Being part of a disabled family and being able to take the whole family to one play space and interact with others is quite remarkable, as it is not able to happen very often. With this play space, our families can feel like part of the community, meet up with friends and feel a sense of belonging. A short walk from the play space is the museum café. There is also a changing places hygiene unit with a hoist, which any parent of a child who uses a wheelchair will tell you, is absolutely essential in planning any day out. We can fight prejudices about disability by being out in the community and by being seen. Though we might look and sound different we are still children, who love to play. And now they have a place in our community that they helped create and it is beautiful." Lisa Parascandolo Physical Development and MOVE Lead Cultural Capital Lead Willow Dene School Sarah Lockwood, Head of Engagement at Royal Museums Greenwich initiated the consultation process and we worked with Ruth Boley, Senior Manager; Learning, Ros Croker-Ahmed, Senior Manager; Partnerships and Engagement and Katie Cassel; Families and Young People Manager to engage and facilitate working with stakeholders, which for us delivered incredible results we can all be proud of. Speaking about it, Sarah said - "At Royal Museums Greenwich we take play seriously and wanted the opportunity of creating a new outdoor play space, at the National Maritime Museum, to support every child’s right to play. Working collaboratively is at the heart of what we do, and we thank CAP.Co for undertaking the journey of consultation with our stakeholders, listening and responding to their needs, to make a truly unique and memorable space for children and their families." Lisa's speech at the opening of the Cove was the most incredibly moving speech for all of our team. What we learned during the process of co-creating the design will change the way we work on every project we look at going forwards. We have always believed that play is better together. In fact it's only really fun if you're playing and interacting with others. Working with a client as forward-thinking as Royal Museums Greenwich enabled this process to be genuinely useful and between us, we have created something amazing. Inclusive play is incredible. Children don't see disabilities, they see that we have created the ability to play together with everyone, whatever their ability. To be truly inclusive, everyone must come away with the same play experience, which means a playground should offer a level of challenge to ALL abilities including SEN users. The full list of Royal Museums Greenwich stakeholders who were consulted to create the play at the National Maritime Museum is as follows: - Action For Refugees Lewisham - Museum Participants/Groups: Discover Sundays, LGBTQ+ Family Forum, Play Outdoors, SENsory Sailors - Primary Schools: Halstow, James Wolfe, Mulgrave, Meridian, Myatt Garden - The Anchor SEND friendly Center and Willow Dene Special School And Thank you to Lucy MacDonald who supported the consultation process across the groups.  Royal Museums Greenwich have created a Play Manifesto to reinforce the commitment to actively supporting play. You can see that here .

Retail Tricks! One retail trick which is frequently overlooked is the benefit of having complementary items for your produce/products on hand and easy for customers to purchase. If customers can get everything they need to use what you grow on the farm, they are more likely to purchase more of it. Examples include Rada Cutlery, as detailed more below. But it can also include pumpkin carving tools, spice or dip mixes to cook meals, vases for the flowers which are picked, and/or reusable bags to carry it all home.  Boosting Sales One of the easiest ways to boost Rada Cutlery sales is to use it where your visitors can see it in action. Whether you’re slicing fresh apples, cutting cheese, or spreading homemade jam, make sure you’re using Rada knives, peelers, or spreaders — and point it out! “We use Rada Cutlery here — it’s 100% made in the USA since 1948. You can grab one right over there!” When guests watch you easily peel produce or slice cleanly with a Rada knife, it builds trust and interest. Demonstrating the product in real-time not only increases interest but also drives impulse purchases. For this reason, we recommend keeping the featured products close to the sampling area. And placing additional products in several complimentary locations throughout the store, such as a clip strip of peelers and paring knives next to the apples. Another recommendation would be to place items in the impulse areas and near the checkout with clear signage and pricing.

There’s something magical about discovering agritourism in a new landscape — where lush rainforests meet rich farmland, and local traditions blend with innovative visitor-ready experiences. That’s exactly what happened when NAFDMA members and friends embarked on our Costa Rica Agritourism Tour , January 2–8, 2026. This immersive journey combined agricultural exploration, cultural insights, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow agritourism professionals. A Trip Rooted in Learning, Adventure & Connection This tour wasn’t just a vacation — it was a chance to see how agritourism thrives beyond North America. From coffee estates tucked into misty mountains to wildlife-rich estuaries on the Pacific Coast, every day offered something new to inform, inspire, and invigorate our agritourism minds. Day by Day: Inspiration Across Costa Rica Day One — Welcome to San José After arriving in San José, attendees checked in and enjoyed an afternoon of leisure — the perfect welcome to Costa Rican warmth and rhythm. Day Two — Hacienda Doka Coffee Farm & La Paz Waterfall Gardens Our first full day began at Hacienda Doka, where we traced coffee from seed to cup, stepped inside the oldest wet mill in Costa Rica, and savored local coffee and chocolates — an unforgettable look at agricultural heritage meeting agritourism. From there, we wandered through the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, home to hummingbirds, butterflies, and cascading tropical waterfalls. Day Three — Arenal Hanging Bridges & Thermal Retreat Exploring the Arenal Hanging Bridges brought us up close with rainforest wildlife — over 50 bird species, lush flora, and the vibrant pulse of nature. Later, we relaxed in the mineral-rich EcoTermales Hot Springs, capturing the restorative side of Costa Rican ecosystems. Day Four — A Leisure Day in Arenal With a day to unwind, tour participants picked their own adventure — from strolling La Fortuna town to booking optional ziplining, kayaking, or fishing. Sometimes, inspiration comes from simply observing local life at your own pace. Day Five — Mangroves, Crocs & Coastal Biodiversity As we moved toward Jaco, the Tarcoles River estuary showcased one of the country’s richest ecological treasures — mangroves teeming with birds like kingfishers and herons, and the famous American crocodile. Our boat ride through this biodiverse ecosystem was a highlight of wildlife watching and conservation learning. Day Six — Jaco Beach & Leisure A full day on the Pacific Coast offered sun, surf, and reeled-in inspiration. You could stroll along renowned Jaco Beach, embark on a catamaran tour, or simply soak in the relaxed beach culture that makes agritourism destinations memorable. Day Seven — Farewell, Pura Vida! With hearts full and minds buzzing with ideas, the group headed back to San José for flights home — wrapping up a trip that reaffirmed what agritourism is all about: place, people, and purpose. Why This Tour Mattered This isn’t just a travel story — it’s a series of real lessons that agritourism operators can carry home: Seeing agriculture through a tourism lens — from coffee culture to mangrove ecosystems. Local experience meets global insight — discovering how destination experiences can be shaped by culture, community, and environment. Connections made along the way — conversations on buses, shared meals, and evenings watching sunsets together created friendships that will outlast the itinerary. What’s Next? Whether you were on this tour or simply dreaming about joining next time, keep your calendar open for upcoming NAFDMA experiences that blend education, exploration, and connection. Check out our events lineup — including the Agritourism Convention & Expo and other immersive learning opportunities — and find your next chance to grow, together. Thank You A big thanks to every person who joined this journey — for bringing your curiosity, camaraderie, and passion for agritourism. It’s these shared experiences that help our industry flourish across borders and ecosystems alike.

Finding Balance in the Everyday Work of Agritourism

Walk through any farm market, gift shop, or agritourism checkout line and you’ll spot them instantly — stickers. Bright, bold, funny, sentimental, local, seasonal. Stickers may be small, but they speak volumes. From water bottles and laptops to tractors and toolboxes, stickers have become tiny billboards of personality. They tell a story, signal belonging, and give customers a way to take a piece of your farm (and their experience) home with them. Stickers as Self-Expression Today’s customers aren’t just shopping — they’re curating their identity. A sticker that says “Farm Girl,” “Berry Lover,” or proudly displays their name isn’t just décor; it’s a statement. Stickers offer instant emotional connection at a low price point, making them an easy “yes” at checkout. For families, stickers are an affordable souvenir. For teens and young adults, they’re a way to personalize everyday items. And for adults? Stickers are nostalgia, humor, and local pride wrapped into one peel-and-stick moment. Why Stickers Work So Well at Retail Stickers thrive in impulse zones — near registers, exits, and high-traffic areas. They’re quick to browse, easy to display, and don’t require sizing, fitting, or decision fatigue. Even better? Customers rarely buy just one. A name. A joke. A seasonal favorite. A local shout-out. Suddenly, a single sticker turns into a small stack — and a stronger sale. From the Source: Sticker Success, Straight from the Printer The team at Stickers Northwest has spent a decade watching what works — and what sells — across farm markets, gift shops, and attractions nationwide. Here’s what they share with retailers: Stickers Northwest offers thousands of designs that can be name dropped at no extra cost. To help maximize sales, we recommend stocking a mix of name-dropped designs along with our proven top sellers. Since customers rarely stop at just one sticker, having a wide assortment ensures there’s something for everyone. Stickers are compact, eye-catching, and deliver excellent profit margins. Plus, we provide a variety of display options—always free when filled with stickers—and free freight on every order. We’re proud to have celebrated our 10-year anniversary in 2024! As a small business based in Tacoma, WA, all of our stickers are printed right here in the USA. Why This Matters for Agritourism For agritourism operations, stickers hit the sweet spot: ✔ Low cost, high margin ✔ Easy to rotate seasonally ✔ Perfect for name-dropping your town, farm, or region ✔ Ideal for kids, teens, and adults alike They complement other branded merchandise without competing for space or budget. And when paired with the right display and variety, they quietly become one of the hardest-working items in your shop. The Takeaway Stickers may be small, but their impact is anything but. They invite customers to express who they are, where they’ve been, and what they love — all while boosting your bottom line.  When you give guests a sticker they connect with, you’re not just selling a product — you’re sending a piece of your farm out into the world, one water bottle at a time.

The phone call that everyone needs.

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.

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?