PACIFIC, Mo. – With the rising costs impacting farmers across the nation, some are exploring tourism as a way to supplement their traditional farming income.
At Lynette Ralph’s horse ranch in Missouri, visitors can spend the night in a cozy cabin, enjoy views of the horses, and get a taste of ranch life firsthand.
Guests have the opportunity to roam the property, interact with the horses, and even opt for horsemanship and riding lessons for an additional fee.
“You have access to farm life, the horses, the barns,” Ralph mentioned.
For Ralph, hosting guests means more than just providing a unique experience; it’s been essential for keeping her ranch afloat. “If I didn’t have these short-term rentals linked to the riding program, I would likely have to liquidate—to sell the horses and the property,” she explained.
In an effort to support farmers, Airbnb and the American Farmland Trust are initiating a new grant program to help farmers generate additional income through tourism, as they shared with Fox News.
Data from the USDA referenced in Airbnb’s report indicates that households tied to intermediate farms—a term for smaller farms where farming is the primary occupation—reported an average loss of around $2,800 from farming activities in 2024.
David Haight, who serves as the vice president of programs at American Farmland Trust, a national nonprofit aimed at protecting farmland while supporting farmers, pointed out that diversifying income streams might assist some farm families amid financial struggles. “Many families are searching for ways to diversify their income. Bringing people to the farm or ranch can be a way to generate extra revenue,” Haight stated.
Airbnb has observed a surge in interest for farm stays, noting a 61% increase in online searches during the first half of 2026 compared to the same timeframe the previous year.
The company reported that a typical farm stay host took in about $8,000 in 2025, with U.S. farm stay hosts collectively earning nearly $120 million—though it’s important to note that these figures are gross earnings and don’t necessarily reflect profits after expenses.
In Georgia, farm stay host Gilda Lyon shared that the income from her rentals has enabled her to construct additional cabins and make investments in her farm. This revenue has helped her build a greenhouse, start selling herbs, and take care of blueberry plants. “The extra income has truly let me invest in improvements and expand the opportunities for visitors,” Lyon remarked.
Airbnb and American Farmland Trust’s forthcoming “Farm to Stay” Grant Program will offer around 25 to 30 grants, each up to $10,000, with applications set to open in November. Although Haight noted these grants may not cover all expenses related to hosting visitors, they could assist in renovating barns for events, installing necessary fencing, or preparing accommodations for overnight stays.
Haight further suggested that the positive effects could ripple beyond individual farms, as visitors also tend to spend money at restaurant and shop locations nearby, thus providing an economic boost to rural communities.
Ralph expressed that welcoming guests has allowed her to continue sharing her love for horses while preserving the property she cherishes. “This short-term rental has truly facilitated my ability to stay here and engage in the things I love,” she concluded.
