🌱 A New Way to Share (and Sustain) Your Farm
Farming isn’t just about growing food anymore — it’s about growing connection. Across Texas, more small farms are opening their gates to visitors for tours, tastings, field trips, and farm-to-table workshops.
These experiences help farms diversify their income, reach new audiences, and teach people where their food truly comes from. Whether you host a few visitors a month or fill your calendar with classes, each experience keeps local agriculture visible — and keeps your story alive.
If you’ve ever thought about inviting people to see what you do, here’s how to start — and why it’s worth the effort.
🌿 What Hosting Visitors Can Look Like
There’s no single way to welcome visitors. Some farms focus on education, others on food and craft, and many do a bit of both.
Examples include:
- Short farm tours or animal meet-and-greets
- Hands-on workshops like beekeeping, cheese making, or mushroom growing
- Seasonal tastings or farm-to-table dinners
- School or homeschool field trips that bring lessons to life outdoors
You don’t need to be picture-perfect — visitors appreciate authenticity more than polish. But readiness still matters. Clear pathways, safe boundaries, and a welcoming environment show respect for your guests and for your animals. Before hosting, take a slow walk through your space as if you were visiting for the first time. What would you notice?
Once you’ve decided what type of visit fits your farm, learn how to design a great experience that keeps guests engaged.
💡 Why It Works — Beyond the Money
These experiences do more than supplement your bottom line.
- Financial: Off-season income and new revenue streams.
- Community: Visitors become supporters, volunteers, and repeat customers.
- Educational: Field trips and workshops help students and families connect classroom learning to real life.
- Emotional: Tastings and farm-to-table events remind people why local food matters.
According to the USDA Census of Agriculture, agritourism income has grown by nearly 30% since 2017 — proof that more farms are finding creative ways to earn through education and hospitality.
💬 Curious how Delve helps farms manage bookings and reach new audiences? See how Delve works for farms →
🧱 How to Start Hosting Visitors
Start with what you already love to do and are eager to share.
- Assess your space. A quick safety and presentation check goes a long way.
- Choose one focus. Maybe it’s a weekend tasting, a small-group workshop, or a weekday field trip.
- Decide who it’s for. Families, schools, adult learners, or local foodies.
- Plan small. A few visitors at a time makes it easy to learn what works.
- Check your insurance. Most general liability policies can add agritourism or event coverage.
- Communicate clearly. Let guests know what to bring, wear, and expect.
- Adjust and grow. Gather feedback, refine your flow, and build from there.
👉 Note: Overnight farm stays fall under a different set of lodging and health regulations, so most new hosts begin with day-time tours and workshops before exploring that side of agritourism.
🐝 What to Expect Along the Way
Your earliest visitors may come from schools, homeschool groups, and garden clubs — then local families or food lovers will follow.
Some seasons will fill up quickly; others may go quiet. Don’t be discouraged — consistency and quality reviews builds momentum.
Visitors often ask thoughtful or unexpected questions. Embrace them. Each conversation deepens understanding and reminds people that farming is both science and art.
Be honest with yourself about what your farm is ready for. Hosting visitors is hospitality as much as education. If certain areas, animals, or practices might be misunderstood, take time to frame them with context — or wait until you can safely and proudly share them.
🌻 The Bigger Picture: Why It Matters
Hosting visitors isn’t just marketing — it’s a public service to your local food system.
Every tour, workshop, or tasting helps people understand what it takes to grow and harvest food with care.
Each farm-to-table event turns curiosity into appreciation — and sometimes, into advocacy. Whether you host once a season or every weekend, every visit keeps farming visible, valued, and personal.
When you invite the public to your farm, you’re not just opening a gate — you’re shaping how people see agriculture. The goal isn’t perfection, but care. Preparedness builds trust, and trust keeps the door open for meaningful connection.
👉 If you’re wondering why farm visits matter, check out Why Hosting Visitors Is a Public Service to Agriculture.
❓ FAQ: Hosting Visitors on Farms
Do I need insurance to host visitors?
Yes. General liability coverage (often with an agritourism rider) keeps you and your guests protected.
Do I need a perfect setup?
Not at all. Clear communication and safe boundaries matter far more than appearance.
How do I find guests?
Start with your existing networks — schools, libraries, garden clubs, or local food groups. Or use a platform like Delve to reach broader audiences without extra marketing work.
Can I host tastings, dinners, or workshops?
Absolutely. Many farms begin with small-group tastings, hands-on workshops, or casual farm-to-table events featuring local ingredients. However, be sure to check your local food-vendor and health-department requirements before serving samples or meals.
Can I host school or homeschool field trips?
Yes! Farms make excellent outdoor classrooms. Many Delve partners align experiences with Texas TEKS standards for science, ecology, and food systems.
What if I already offer tours?
You can still benefit from greater visibility and easy online booking through Delve.
🌾 Stay Connected
👉 Deciding whether to get started?
Check out Is Your Farm Ready for Visitors? What to Know Before You List.
👉 Want to learn what it looks like in practice?
Explore How Delve Works for Farms — our step-by-step guide for listing, bookings, and payouts.
👉 More resources: Explore the For Farmers & Hosts section for tips, insights, and real-world stories about agritourism in Texas.
