Pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes—you’ve seen them everywhere in the fall. These experiences are part of what many people call agritainment. But there’s another term you’ll hear more often around experiences we offer: agritourism.
They sound similar, and sometimes they overlap. But they aren’t quite the same—and understanding the difference can help you plan the farm visit you really want.
What Is Agritourism?
Agritourism means inviting visitors onto a working farm or ranch for activities that educate, engage, or connect them to local food systems.
Common examples include:
- Farm tours
- Cheese-making or gardening workshops
- Pick-your-own produce experiences
- Farm-to-table dinners
- Educational field trips
The goal? To give visitors a hands-on, authentic connection to agriculture, the people who grow our food, and the land that sustains us.
Learn more: What Is Agritourism?
What Is Agritainment?
Agritainment focuses on entertainment-based experiences hosted on farms, often seasonal and designed for fun rather than education.
Common examples include:
- Pumpkin patches and corn mazes
- Hayrides
- Petting zoos
- Giant slides or bounce pillows
- Holiday markets or light displays
Agritainment is a major driver of farm visits, especially for families looking for festive, photo-worthy outings. And that’s a good thing: these events help farmers earn income and introduce people to farm spaces—often for the first time.
Where They Overlap
Agritourism and agritainment often share common ground:
- Both bring people to farms.
- Both support rural economies.
- Both can spark interest in agriculture—sometimes without visitors even realizing it.
A pumpkin patch might include a farm stand. A hayride could lead past vegetable fields. These moments create opportunities to blend fun with learning.
Why Delve Focuses on Agritourism
At Delve, we love the energy agritainment brings to farms—but our mission is to help people go deeper.
That’s why we focus on:
- Hands-on learning (like cheese-making or beekeeping)
- Real conversations with farmers
- Experiences you can’t get at a festival—small group tours, skills-based classes, and farm tastings
We believe both agritainment and agritourism matter. The first draws crowds. The second builds understanding. Together, they help sustain local agriculture.
Planning Your Next Farm Visit
Looking for a fall festival? Go for it—agritainment is fun for a reason. We even publish guides pointing the way.
But if you’re ready to dig deeper, add something new:
- Make fresh mozzarella at ranch outside DFW
- Book a hive-to-table honey tasting in Austin
- Browse more educational farm experiences →
Because the best farm visits aren’t just fun—they’re meaningful.
