The Agri-Tourist, My Journey Back to Agriculture

Jennifer Ross
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Agritourism involves travel, entertainment, adventure and agriculture, but, at its core, agritourism is really about connecting and educating. Join me to learn from experienced agritourism farmers and entrepreneurs, and help me build my future farm strategy.   

  1. 6D AGO

    Global Trends, Local Impact & What’s Next with Lisa Chase

    Send us Fan Mail When I first interviewed Lisa Chase back in 2024 and episode 5 of the podcast, agritourism felt like an emerging conversation. Fast forward to today — over 90 episodes later — and it’s clear this isn’t just a niche sector. It’s a movement. Reconnecting with Lisa gave me the opportunity to step back and really reflect on how much has evolved — not just globally, but in how we’re all thinking about food, farms, and community. What struck me most in our conversation is how agritourism continues to serve as a bridge — between urban and rural, between consumer and producer, between policy and practice. At a time when the world feels turbulent and disconnected, farms are becoming places of grounding. They’re spaces where education, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and wellness intersect in very real, tangible ways. Lisa’s work with the Global Agritourism Network reminds me that this isn’t just happening in Vermont or the United States — it’s happening in over 100 countries around the world. And yet, the core remains the same: people want connection. They want to understand where their food comes from. They want experiences that feel authentic. This conversation reaffirmed for me why this podcast matters — and why agritourism is one of the most powerful sectors shaping the future of food and travel today. Global Agritourism Network Lisa Chase, UVM  Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.   Agri-Tourist.comHeartBeet FarmsInstagramAbout Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast HostGlobal Agritourism Network

    41 min

  2. MAR 23

    Seeds, Storytelling & the Future of Food: Inside Baker Creek’s Global Movement

    Send us Fan Mail When I sat down to talk with Michelle Johnson from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, I expected to learn more about seeds. What I didn’t expect was to walk away thinking about joy, legacy, and the future of food in an entirely different way. What started nearly three decades ago as 17-year-old Jere Gettle's handmade seed catalog has grown into a global movement — but at its heart, it still feels deeply personal. That sincerity came through in every part of our conversation. What struck me most was how intentional they are about preserving not just varieties, but stories. Heirloom seeds aren’t just plants — they’re living history, stewarded by families and communities for generations. In a world increasingly dominated by scale and speed, Baker Creek’s work feels like a reminder that biodiversity, flavor, and cultural heritage still matter. And that protecting them can actually be joyful. This conversation also challenged me to think about agritourism and storytelling differently. The festivals, the vibrant social media, the theatrical imagery — it’s not marketing for the sake of attention. It’s an invitation. An invitation to reconnect with food, with soil, and with the simple but powerful act of growing something yourself. I’m excited for you to hear this episode, because it’s about more than seeds — it’s about possibility. Baker Creek Heirlooom Seeds   Baker Creek Instagram  Baker Creek Youtube  Seed Savers Exchange National Heirloom Exhibition Read more about the podcast Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.   Agri-Tourist.comHeartBeet FarmsInstagramAbout Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast HostGlobal Agritourism Network

    1h 10m

  3. MAR 20

    Bonus: The Farm Journal, episode 1

    Send us Fan Mail This podcast started as my journey back to agriculture—and now, I’m actually living it. Over the past few years, I’ve been searching, learning, and having conversations with incredible people across this industry, trying to understand where I fit. And now, I’ve made the decision to step in—to take on a role at a farm, to move, and to fully immerse myself in this next chapter. I met Pattie Baker through this podcast, and one of her mantras is to, “trust the journey.” That’s exactly what this next series is about. Pattie is joining me to help guide these conversations as everything unfolds in real time—the decisions, the challenges, the uncertainty, and all the moments in between as I learn to trust where this path is taking me. This is the part of the journey where it gets real, where I continue asking questions, and start living out the answer in real life—and I’m bringing you along for the journey!  Nourse Farm Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.   Agri-Tourist.comHeartBeet FarmsInstagramAbout Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast HostGlobal Agritourism Network

    58 min

  4. MAR 16

    Military Service to Agritourism Leadership: The Expanding Impact of the Rutters

    Send us Fan Mail When I first interviewed Kara and Matt from Rutter's Ranch in Episode 62, we talked about veteran farmers strengthening America’s food system. But in this follow-up conversation with Kara, what struck me most wasn’t just the growth of their programs — it was the depth of purpose behind everything they’re building. From Matt receiving the American Farm Bureau Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence to launching a statewide Farms of the Brave Ag & Art Tour over Memorial Day weekend, their work continues to evolve in ways that feel both strategic and deeply personal. What really stayed with me was Kara’s reminder that “food security is national security” — and that for many veterans, agriculture is simply the next chapter of service. This isn’t about stepping away from serving their country; it’s about serving in a new way — through land stewardship, rural entrepreneurship, and community connection. Whether it’s Farmer Boot Camp, the new business plan accelerator, or reviving care farming programs to address veteran isolation, everything they do is rooted in relationships. This conversation reinforced something I believe wholeheartedly: farms are more than production spaces. They’re places of healing, leadership, and renewal. And when veterans lead that work, it adds an entirely different layer of meaning. I’m excited for you to hear this update — because what’s happening at Rutter's Ranch isn’t just growth. It’s momentum with purpose. Rutter's Ranch Farms of the Brave Ag & Art Tour Click here to read about this interview with Kara Rutter Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.   Agri-Tourist.comHeartBeet FarmsInstagramAbout Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast HostGlobal Agritourism Network

    33 min

  5. MAR 9

    In a Sea of Blacktop, They Chose Purple: The Lavender Pivot That Saved Hoshyla Farms

    Send us Fan Mail When I think about my conversation with Susan and Nicole Asendorf of Hoshyla Farms, what stays with me most isn’t just the lavender — it’s the decision. The moment when selling the land felt easier… and they chose not to. On Long Island, once farmland is gone, it’s gone. Hearing Nicole say, “Once you sell something, you cannot get it back,” carried a weight that anyone connected to agriculture truly understands. This wasn’t just a business pivot. It was a stand for legacy. What moved me even more was the dynamic of three women and an 84-year-old grandfather working side by side to reinvent their family farm. There was honesty in the conversation — about fear, about learning curves, about irrigation powered by generators and watering plants from the back of a tractor. It wasn’t polished. It was real. And that’s what preserving farmland actually looks like. This episode reminded me that agritourism isn’t just about events or aesthetics — it’s about connection. Connection to land, to family, to community. Hoshyla Farms isn’t just growing lavender; they’re cultivating continuity. And in a region where blacktop spreads faster than crops, that matters more than ever. Hoshyla Farms 2026 Lavendar Festival Hoshyla Farms Instagram Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.   Agri-Tourist.comHeartBeet FarmsInstagramAbout Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast HostGlobal Agritourism Network

    58 min

  6. MAR 2

    Planting Big Ideas: When a Nonprofit Leader Thinks Like a CEO

    Send us Fan Mail When I first interviewed Giany Guedjo, the Executive Director of Carolina Human Reinvestment, in Episode 43, we talked about faith, food security, and the early days of building a community garden rooted in purpose. In this catch-up conversation, I found something different — not just survival, but momentum. He joined me from his greenhouse on a cold morning, surrounded by vibrant greens and reblooming orchids rescued from grocery store discard piles. That image felt symbolic. What he’s building is about second chances — for land, for food, for families. Since we last spoke, his organization raised $96,000 at a farm-to-table fundraiser and paid off their $350,000 mortgage. But what struck me most wasn’t the financial milestone — it was his clarity. “My goal is not to end up selling from the garden,” he told me. “My hope is to keep feeding the ones that need it the most.” They’re serving nearly 200 families every two weeks, expanding school gardens, and now dreaming about a community hub with a teaching kitchen and space for nonprofits to gather. There’s one line that stayed with me: “The kids will show up no matter what.” That’s leadership. That’s responsibility. This isn’t just a garden anymore — it’s infrastructure for community health. And as you listen to this episode, I hope you hear not just a story of growth, but a blueprint for what’s possible when agriculture is rooted in mission, dignity, and long-term vision. Carolina Human Reinvestment Episode 43: Giany's Leap of Faith & Focus on Growing Food Impacts South Carolina Children Bistro 17 Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.   Agri-Tourist.comHeartBeet FarmsInstagramAbout Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast HostGlobal Agritourism Network

    47 min

  7. FEB 23

    Food is a Bridge Between Farm and Community @ Assunta's

    Send us Fan Mail Some conversations feel especially heartfelt because they highlight not just a business, but a person stepping fully into who they’re meant to be. That’s exactly how I felt talking with Amanda Portis, the heart behind Assunta’s Food Truck at Nourse Farm. Amanda’s journey back to her hometown and into food entrepreneurship is such a beautiful example of how passion, timing, and a little courage can come together in powerful ways. What really moved me in this conversation is the why behind Assunta’s. Named after her great-grandmother, the food truck is rooted in family, tradition, and the belief that food is a love language. From casual comfort food at the window to her long-table farm dinners under the string lights, Amanda isn’t just cooking — she’s creating space for connection, conversation, and community. This episode is about taking a leap, honoring where you come from, and building something that brings people together around the table. Amanda’s story is a reminder that sometimes the path forward isn’t perfectly planned — it unfolds when you say yes to an opportunity that feels just right. Assunta's Food Truck Nourse Farm Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.   Agri-Tourist.comHeartBeet FarmsInstagramAbout Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast HostGlobal Agritourism Network

    45 min

  8. FEB 16

    Pick-Your-Own Farms Are Quietly Changing the Conversation

    Send us Fan Mail There are some conversations that leave you thinking differently long after the recording ends — and my talk with Megan Neubauer was exactly that kind of conversation. I first interviewed Megan in episode # 6, and her perspective stuck with me, so reconnecting with her felt like catching up with someone whose work — and impact — has continued to grow right alongside the movement she’s helping shape. Megan has this incredible ability to zoom out to the big picture — the future of agriculture, the health of our soils, the role consumers play in shaping food systems — while still staying deeply grounded in the everyday realities of farming. Her journey, from growing up all over the world to building a pick-your-own farm in Texas, gives her a perspective that feels both global and deeply personal. What inspires me most is how she bridges worlds: farmer and educator, grower and storyteller, realist and optimist. This episode isn’t just about farming methods or business models. It’s about connection — to land, to food, and to each other. Megan reminds us that small farms matter, that the way we grow food has real environmental impact, and that ordinary people have more power than they think through the choices they make. I walked away from this conversation feeling hopeful, energized, and reminded why these stories — and the people living them — are so important to share. Please enjoy my follow-up chat with Megan Neubauer!!  Pure Land Farm Pick Your Own Farming Acres Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.   Agri-Tourist.comHeartBeet FarmsInstagramAbout Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast HostGlobal Agritourism Network

    33 min
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5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Agritourism involves travel, entertainment, adventure and agriculture, but, at its core, agritourism is really about connecting and educating. Join me to learn from experienced agritourism farmers and entrepreneurs, and help me build my future farm strategy.   

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