In this episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, we dig into the growing world of agritourism and how creative ideas can bring new opportunities to working lands. From educational offerings to niche on-the-ground experiences, agritourism is becoming an increasingly valuable way for farms and ranches to diversify and connect with visitors in meaningful ways.

Guests Shannon Arnold and Tamara Robertson join the conversation to talk about what agritourism looks like in Montana today, how producers get started, and why interest in these kinds of enterprises continues to grow across farm and ranch country.

Guests

Dr. Shannon Arnold

Professor of Extension and Non-Formal Education
Montana State University
A quiet powerhouse behind Montana’s agritourism movement, Shannon has spent years building programs, gathering resources, and helping producers explore what’s possible. Her work has opened the door for agritourism to grow statewide.

Tamara Robertson

Wandering Acres
Forsyth, Montana
Tamara and her family run a cow-calf operation — and they added an unexpected twist: a niche flower farm that has grown into a unique agritourism experience in eastern Montana. Her story shows the creativity and adaptability that make agritourism so promising.

What We Talk About

• What agritourism is and the wide range of activities it can include
• Agritourism as an added revenue stream for working operations
• Real producer perspectives on branching into agritourism
• Why charging for experiences can feel uncomfortable
• Insurance considerations when welcoming visitors onto the land
• How people discover agritourism businesses
• The creation of the Montana Agritourism Association

Resources & Links

• Montana Agritourism: MontanaAgritourism.com

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The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email [email protected]. Want to support our mission? Visit https://ranchstewards.charityproud.org/Donate.