Agritourism & Farm Experiences Category Guide

What Is Dairy Agritourism?

Agritourism encompasses activities that bring visitors to farms for educational, recreational, or retail experiences. For dairy farms, this might include farm tours, calf feeding experiences, educational programs, seasonal events, or on-farm dining. These activities generate additional revenue while building consumer connections to agriculture.

Agritourism Activities

Farm Tours

• Guided dairy farm tours
• Milking parlor viewing
• Calf feeding experiences
• Behind-the-scenes processing tours

Educational Programs

• School field trips
• Youth group programs
• Agricultural education workshops
• Cheese-making classes

Events and Entertainment

• Seasonal festivals
• Farm dinners and tastings
• Birthday parties
• Corporate events

Retail and Dining

• Farm stores
• On-farm restaurants or cafes
• Ice cream parlors
• Pick-your-own experiences

Getting Started

Planning Considerations

• Target audience and experiences
• Integration with dairy operations
• Staffing and training needs
• Infrastructure requirements
• Marketing and promotion

Infrastructure Needs

• Parking and access
• Restroom facilities
• Visitor-safe viewing areas
• Picnic and gathering spaces
• Signage and wayfinding

Regulatory and Insurance

• Liability insurance: Agritourism-specific coverage is essential
• Local permits: Zoning, health, and business permits
• Agritourism liability laws: Many states have protections for farm hosts
• Food service licensing: If serving food or beverages
• Workers' compensation: For agritourism employees

Marketing Agritourism

• Website and online booking
• Social media presence
• Tourism directories and partnerships
• School and group outreach
• Review and rating platforms

Cost Considerations

Initial infrastructure investment varies widely—$10,000-100,000+ depending on scope. Marketing budgets of $500-5,000 monthly help drive visitors. Staffing is often the largest ongoing cost. Track revenue and costs by activity to optimize your mix.