Dig Deeper Blog

If you're new here, welcome. We're glad you found us.

You may be wondering: What exactly is Farmstay?

At its heart, Farmstay exists for one simple reason: to help people connect with the land and the people who care for it.

Many years ago, our founder, Scottie Jones, recognized something important. More and more farmers and ranchers across the country were beginning to welcome guests onto their farms, opening their gates to share a way of life that most people had never experienced. At the same time, travelers were searching for something more meaningful than a hotel room—they wanted fresh air, open spaces, good food, and genuine connection.

So Farmstay was born.

What started as a small network quickly became a community. Farmers shared ideas, supported one another, and learned how hospitality could help diversify farm income while keeping working farms thriving for future generations. Educational resources were created, friendships were formed, and a movement began to grow.

Today, Farmstay connects travelers with hundreds of farms and ranches across the country, offering thousands of opportunities to experience life closer to the land.

In 2024, I joined Farmstay after spending years operating my own farm stay and working in agricultural communications. I immediately fell in love with the mission. What Scottie had built was unlike anything else, a community dedicated to helping farmers succeed while helping travelers discover authentic farm experiences

Over the past two years, Scottie and I have worked closely together, and today I have the privilege of leading Farmstay's next chapter, with Scottie continuing to serve as our founder and trusted advisor.

Together, we're building on the foundation that started it all.

You'll notice a few exciting changes. We've expanded beyond overnight stays to include farm experiences, farm-to-table dinners, workshops, classes, tours, events, and other forms of farm hospitality.

We're also putting the finishing touches on an updated Farm Stay Workbook, designed to help farmers and ranchers explore the possibility of welcoming guests to their farms. The workbook walks aspiring hosts through the process step-by-step and is the resource I wish I had when I first started my own farm stay journey.

But our purpose remains the same.

We believe thriving farms create thriving communities.

We believe farmers deserve opportunities to stay on the land they love.

We believe everyone benefits when they have the chance to understand where their food comes from and meet the people who grow it.

And we believe some of life's most meaningful experiences happen around a farmhouse table, in a pasture at sunset, or on a front porch overlooking the fields.

So, whether you're a traveler, a farmer, a rancher, or simply someone who loves rural places, welcome.

We're glad you're here.

Follow along as we share farm stories, travel inspiration, behind-the-scenes glimpses of rural life, and opportunities to experience life on the land. We have some exciting things in store, and we can't wait to share them with you.

— Cate & Scottie