MOUNT SIDNEY, Va.—Agricultural communities across Virginia are finding innovative ways to boost tourism and connect visitors with local farming operations through creative passport initiatives.
This past autumn, agricultural supporters in Augusta County approved their own passport initiative, drawing inspiration from successful programs in surrounding areas that aim to link tourists and residents with nearby farms and agricultural enterprises.
The Augusta County Farm Explorer Passport initiative launched during the current spring season.
Kristin Beery, who teaches agriculture at Valley Career & Technical Center, took her students on an excursion to gather stamps from all 10 agricultural and market locations featured in The Farm Explorer of Frederick County Passport.
Beery found the passport concept to be a “pretty cool idea,” and her colleagues from the Augusta County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee shared her enthusiasm.
“My students laid out the passport framework and farms they thought would work,” Beery said.
Visitors can obtain Augusta County Farm Explorer Passports from any of the 10 designated agricultural and market locations—Belle Meade Farms, Cross Keys Farm, Endless View Farms, Harmony Harvest Farms, Homestead Manor Market, Middle River Farms, Poplar Ridge Farms, Shomo Fresh Market, Stuarts Draft Farm Market and Valley Pike Farm Market.
Both children and adults may gather stamps until November, with completed passports eligible for prize redemption. Additional information is available at augustafarmexplorer.com.
Beery acknowledged Kayla Lawrence for introducing the farm explorer passport concept to Virginia.
During 2024, Lawrence and the Frederick County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee launched The Farm Explorer of Frederick County Passport initiative. The complimentary passport booklets encourage families to collect stamps from the region’s 10 farm markets between April and December.
“This allows plenty of time to visit multiple farms!” Lawrence said.
More than 6,000 passport booklets for both adults and children have been given out over the previous two seasons, with hundreds of completed books exchanged for rewards at the visitors center.
Information about participating farms and markets can be found at thefarmexplorer.com.
Additionally, last spring saw the creation of a Travel the Towns Passport initiative featuring 54 total destinations across Broadway, New Market and Timberville, including several agricultural businesses.
“All three towns are rural, so it makes sense that a portion of our businesses are ag-related!” said Savannah Smith, Town of New Market events and marketing director.
The first-year passport initiative proved successful, returning this season with additional locations and a longer timeframe. Participants may collect stickers from more than 60 locations between May 1 and May 31.
Business partners have provided prizes and gift baskets worth more than $2,000 in 2026. Travelers may enter completed passports into prize drawings.
Travel the Towns Passports are available at any participating business or through the Facebook page.
Media contacts include Beery at 540-280-5138, Lawrence at 540-869-145, and Smith at 540-740-3432.
