Serving the Land: A Veteran’s Guide to Farm Stays and Outdoor Experiences

Monday evenings at 7:30 ET March 2 – 30 (virtual); August  workshops in person

Are you a military veteran interested in agriculture? Join us as we explore farm stays and outdoor experience enterprises through an 11-session series that alternates between business-focused online classes and on-farm visits with an online option.

In our classroom sessions, participants learn directly from farmers and agritourism leaders about the business of hosting guests on working farms. Each session provides practical tools, examples, and worksheets to help participants prepare for launching or expanding guest-based agritourism enterprises. See below for the schedule.

During the summer, participants will visit Nebraska operations that offer a range of outdoor experiences. These on-farm tours give veterans the chance to see firsthand how producers design guest activities, manage visitor flow, and build safe and welcoming spaces for recreation.

Stipends are available to cover approved expenses such as travel, meals, and child care. Individuals are welcome to attend with family members. For on-farm events, physical accommodations may be made upon request.

Cost: Free for active military service members and military veterans

When: March through August 2026

Where: Online and participating farm stay locations across Nebraska (to be announced)

Registration required by March 16: Click here to register.

Questions/assistance with registering: Contact Kirstin Bailey, kirstinb@cfra.org or 402.870.2390, or Deborah Solie, deborahs@cfra.org or 402.870.1133

Programming is funded through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. NIFA USDA Fund Award #2020-77028-32890.

Online class schedule for March

All live sessions start at 6:30 p.m. CT, live classes meet every Monday in March

Monday, March 2 – Meet the Farmer, Skills Assessment, Farm Experiences, and Budget Basics

This kickoff session introduces participants to the host farmer and each other. Participants will complete a skills and experience assessment and define the farm experience they want to offer, focusing on customers, setting, and on-farm activities. The session also introduces budget basics through an outside presenter, covering startup and seasonal costs and key financial considerations for experience-based farm enterprises.

Monday, March 9 – Risk Management

Participants will explore common risks with on-farm experiences, including customer safety, weather, staffing, and finances. The session uses real-world scenarios to help participants begin outlining a risk management approach suited to their operation.

Monday, March 16 – Holistic Goal Setting: From Vision to Action

This session helps participants align personal values with farm goals and translate those priorities into clear, actionable steps for growth. Participants will consider how family members and key support people fit into their farm plans, including roles, expectations, and capacity. The session introduces simple tools to set realistic goals, track progress, and adjust plans over time as their farm experience and circumstances evolve.

Monday, March 23

Taxes and Recordkeeping: Simplifying Your Farm’s Finances

This session focuses on practical tax considerations and recordkeeping systems for all farms. Participants will review common deductions and draft a simple, workable recordkeeping setup to support their operation throughout the season.

Monday, March 30 – AI & Digital Marketing for On-farm Experiences

This hands-on session introduces AI and digital tools that support marketing for on-farm experiences. Topics include content creation for social media, website basics, search visibility, and simple automation tools to save time while staying connected with customers.

On-Demand Classes

Complete at your own pace

Zoning and Insurance: Setting Your Farm Up for Success

This class covers zoning requirements and insurance considerations, with practical guidance and checklists.

Navigating Agritourism Laws: Protecting Your Farm and Customers

This session focuses on liability protection, agritourism laws, and operational permits using real-world examples.