Airbnb and American Farmland Trust are partnering to launch a Farm to Stay grant program that offers farmers and ranchers in Maine up to $10,000 to tap into the agritourism sector.
Agritourism is a growing opportunity for Maine farmers to earn extra income, according to a recent Airbnb report.
Maine is among the top 10 states in terms of the proportion of farms active in agritourism. Participants include Ten Apple Farm in Gray, where Margaret Hathaway and Karl Schatz offer guided goat hikes on the property.
Growing engagement
The typical farm-stay host in Maine earned $6,500 in 2025. Farm host earnings in Maine have more than doubled since 2018, the report says.
“When we welcome visitors to these places, their dollars help support farmers, local businesses and rural communities and help ensure that Maine’s farms and agricultural traditions remain a vital part of our state’s future,” said Christine Cummings, Maine Cheese Guild’s executive director.
The grant program aims to help farmers and ranchers start or expand an agritourism stay or experience. The grant could help farmers renovate or prepare their properties to host overnight guests, or to launch agritourism experiences.
The program is designed to support farmers across the U.S.
