Agritourism continues to offer family farms and agricultural businesses opportunities to diversify their operations, generate additional revenue, and connect with visitors in new and meaningful ways. This fall, farmers, agritourism operators, tourism professionals, and service providers will have an opportunity to explore those possibilities at the 2026 Maryland Agritourism Conference.
Hosted by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences and UMES Extension, the conference will be held November 15–17, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge, Maryland. This year marks the second Maryland Agritourism Conference, bringing together agricultural producers, educators, tourism professionals, and related businesses to share ideas, build connections, and explore practical strategies for growing agritourism as a profitable, value-added opportunity.
For Garrett County farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and tourism-related businesses, agritourism offers an opportunity to connect the county’s agricultural and tourism industries through farm experiences, seasonal activities, direct-to-consumer products, events, and other visitor-focused ventures. The Maryland Agritourism Conference provides a valuable opportunity to gain new ideas, build connections, and explore strategies for diversifying farm income and strengthening individual businesses and the broader rural economy.
The conference, themed “Boosting Agritourism Strategies to Improve the Profitability of Family Farms,” will focus on real-world strategies for agritourism operators and those who support them. Participants will have access to educational sessions, hands-on workshops, expert panels, networking opportunities, and opportunities to connect with sponsors and exhibitors.
Approximately 200 participants are anticipated to attend, including farmers, ranchers, wineries, breweries, agribusinesses, tourism professionals, and service providers. The event provides an opportunity for current agritourism operators—as well as those considering adding visitor experiences or other agritourism activities to their businesses—to learn from others and explore new approaches to growing and strengthening their operations.
Registration is $250, and an off-site agribusiness tour is available for an additional $75.
More information about registration, speakers, the conference schedule, lodging, and other event details is available through the UMES Extension Maryland Agritourism Conference website.
For Garrett County farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and tourism-related businesses, the Maryland Agritourism Conference provides an opportunity to gain new ideas, make valuable connections, and explore strategies that could help strengthen both individual businesses and the broader rural economy.
