WHAT IS AGRITOURISM?

“for me, it’s all about sharing our way of life. Travelers more than ever want meaningful experiences & that’s what we aim to share.”

Around the world, there have been have been many definitions of agritourism created, with little agreement on what the word means.

According to the National Agricultural Law Center, “agritourism can be defined as a form of commercial enterprise that links agricultural production and/or processing with tourism to attract visitors onto a farm, ranch, or other agricultural business for the purposes of entertaining and/or educating the visitors while generating income for the farm, ranch, or business owner.” Agritourism often overlaps with gastronomy tourism and wine tourism.

Here in Montana, we like to think of agritourism as a commercial enterprise, combining agricultural production and tourism to attract visitors to farms by offering authentic experiences like tours, educational events and direct sales of farm products, in order to promote rural economies and share our passion for our spirit of place.

Farms and ranches engaging in agritourism often fall into the smaller-medium business category, and usually it’s a diversification of the farm/ranch main income. They might be organic, practice regenerative agriculture or use convential farming and ranching methods. They actively promote and support local food systems, which inherently fosters greater sustainability compared to industrialized agriculture. These types of agricultural businesses often serve as central pillars for the farm-to-table and slow food movements, embodying principles of mindful consumption and strengthening the connection between consumers and the land.

Agritourism operators offer a diverse array of activities and cater to a wide range of interests. These offerings can vary from simple farm tours to more comprehensive experiences, such as on-site dining and lodging. Agritourism activities encompass a broad spectrum, covering elements of hospitality, education, outdoor recreation, entertainment, and direct sales, all within the backdrop of a working farm or rural setting.

Some example agritourism activities include:

• Farm-to-Table Cooking Classes

• Organic Farm/Vineyard Tours

  Educational Workshops

• Harvest or Traditional Food Festivals

• Farm Stays

• Culinary Trails

• Food & Wine Pairing Experiences

• Agricultural Work Exchanges (i.e. Wwoof)

• Farm Shops and Markets

• Events (concerts, team building)

  Agritourism, particularly when farms use regenerative agriculture and other sustainable practices, can promote sustainable development across the globe.