Airbnb and Farmland Trust Launched Farm Grant Program

Maine farmers can now apply for up to $10,000 to develop or expand local agritourism projects.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Organic Food

Airbnb and Farmland Trust Launched Farm Grant Program

Live Poll

Do you believe agritourism is a viable strategy for farmers to increase their annual household income?

Airbnb and the American Farmland Trust have introduced the Farm to Stay grant program to help farmers and ranchers launch or scale agritourism experiences. Maine farmers are eligible for the funding, which aims to help hosts renovate properties for overnight guests.

Why it matters

The program addresses the growing demand for rural travel by providing financial support to help farmers diversify their income through agritourism. Maine represents a key region for this expansion, as the state is a national leader in farm-based hospitality.

Maine ranks among the top 10 states nationally for the proportion of farms engaged in agritourism. In 2025, the typical Maine farm-stay host earned $6,500, a figure that has more than doubled since 2018.

The players

Airbnb

An American company that operates an online marketplace for lodging, primarily homestays and tourism experiences.

American Farmland Trust

A national nonprofit organization that focuses on protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land.

Ten Apple Farm

A farm located in Gray, Maine, that provides agritourism activities such as guided goat hikes.

The details

Grant recipients can use the funds to prepare or renovate properties for hosting visitors, facilitating unique rural experiences like the guided goat hikes offered at Ten Apple Farm in Gray. This initiative is designed to bolster rural economic stability by lowering the barriers to entry for agricultural property owners.

2018: The baseline year for measuring Maine farm host earnings growth.
2025: The year typical Maine farm-stay host earnings reached $6,500.

Culture Shift

This program accelerates the ongoing transition of the agricultural sector toward experiential tourism, moving beyond traditional commodity production. It capitalizes on the growing consumer preference for immersive, rural-based travel experiences that support local food producers.

Residents and travelers should expect to see an increase in available farm-stay accommodations and specialized tours throughout Maine as more farmers utilize these grants. This shift provides travelers with more diverse lodging options while creating new revenue opportunities for local agricultural businesses.

The takeaway

Farmers looking to enter the agritourism market should focus on leveraging their unique operational assets to create repeatable guest experiences. These grants serve as essential seed money to bridge the gap between traditional farming and modern service-based hospitality.