The American public is interested in more than just knowing which farmer grew the sweet corn at their local Hy-Vee, Publix or Sendik’s. They want to come visit you and maybe stay the night. And they’re willing to pay for the pleasure.
With high input costs, volatile markets and weather-whipped production, agritourism is one option for farmers looking for an additional revenue stream. That’s why Airbnb and American Farmland Trust are launching the Farm to Stay Grant Program, designed to help farmers and ranchers renovate properties to host overnight guests or launch agricultural experiences. This could mean renovating a bunkhouse, fixing up a room in the house, or offering U-pick opportunities, wine tasting, farm-to-table dinners or hands-on workshops.
Farmers across the country, whether they have an acre or a few thousand acres, already are finding success with these revenue streams. Airbnb says the typical farm host earned $8,000 last year. That’s stable income a farm can put to good use, says Ashley Brucker, AFT’s senior manager of grantmaking.
“Through the Farm to Stay grant, we’ll give agricultural communities a critical foothold in a growing sector that can help bring stability and predictability to an industry facing serious headwinds,” Brucker said.
AFT expects more than 300 applications for the 25 to 30 grants planned for release through this new program. Eligibility and guideline details will be made available before applications open in late November. Those interested can subscribe to updates on AFT’s website.
The new program will be administered under AFT’s existing Brighter Future Fund. Since 2020, the program has funded nearly $9 million in grants direct to farmers in every state and U.S. territory.
How to get started
Airbnb and AFT are hosting online workshops at 5 p.m. Eastern on Oct. 14 and at noon Eastern on Nov. 13 to share about hosting and about the grant program, though attendees are not required to submit a grant application. Workshop registration is available on the AFT website’s Farm to Stay Grant Program page.
Farms stays in high demand
Airbnb sees farm stays as a market that is growing — and has plenty of room for expansion. The company reports Google Trends data showing searches for “farm stay” nearly quadrupled between 2016 and early 2026. Total host earnings for farm stays on Airbnb grew nearly 400% since 2018.
Arizona resident Shelly Altman started hosting on Airbnb after converting her family’s barn into a dwelling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We needed the income,” she said, noting their preschool and restaurant were forced to close during that time. “As soon as we listed on Airbnb, it blew up.”
Today, the other businesses are reopened, and she and her husband have expanded their Airbnb business to offer three spaces on their 1-acre hobby farm in Arizona, including what was once their home, and three more short-term rentals on a new property in California. The FFA alum sees it as a way to share her passion for agriculture.
“People come here, and they don’t want to leave,” Altman said. After COVID, “people kept coming. They want to see the stars. They want to get farm fresh eggs in the morning. Visit the creek.”
Expanding was a no-brainer. “It’s been too lucrative, and it’s been too good for the community not to,” she said.
Airbnb guests benefit rural economies
A new report by Airbnb shows that the typical farm stay host earned about $8,000 in 2025. Across the country, farm stay hosts collectively earned about $120 million through Airbnb in 2025. Areas with new farm stays saw roughly 15% faster growth in overall earnings compared to areas without them.
The economic impact extends beyond what guests pay for lodging. Farm stay guests generate close to $125 million in total tax revenue and contribute nearly $500 million in gross domestic product, supporting small businesses, local attractions, and state and local governments.
This matters particularly in rural areas where traditional tourism infrastructure doesn’t exist. The report finds that across the U.S., 60% of census tracts are hotel deserts where Airbnb is the only accommodation option.
For AFT, the emphasis is on supporting the farm economy. Developing new revenue streams is essential to AFT’s core mission. This program also offers farmers and ranchers the opportunity to teach urban folks about what they do — and why they do it.
“Farmers and ranchers are in it because they love the land, they love the animals, they love the community,” Brucker said. “This gives them a platform where they can welcome people onto their farm, whatever size it is, in a capacity that makes sense for their operation, and allows them to share their craft and their passion and their property with people who are increasingly wanting to know where their food comes from, where their fiber comes from, and to not only know the source of those products, but the people behind them.”