NAFDMA

What NAFDMA does

NAFDMA (North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association), legally NAFDMA International Agritourism Association, is a privately held, membership-based nonprofit trade association founded in 1986 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The organization serves entrepreneurial farm families and agritourism operators worldwide — including orchards, corn mazes, U-pick operations, wineries, wedding venues, retail farm markets, and family fun farms — by providing education, peer networking, mental health support, and collective-buying benefits. Core products include an annual Convention & Expo (February), Agritourism Learning Retreats (summer/fall), regional and international Agritourism Farm Tours, an online Education Center with archived webinars and workshops, a curated partner discount network, the PAUSE mental health initiative, scholarship programs covering 50–100% of event registration fees, and the weekly Pollinator newsletter and podcast. The association also offers a Farm to Farm Staff Exchange Scholarship supporting intern exchanges between member farms.

The business model is fundamentally subscription-plus-events: recurring annual membership dues (specific tier pricing is not publicly disclosed), event registration fees across multiple annual gatherings, online store sales of archived educational content and merchandise, and donations to the scholarship fund. NAFDMA operates with a lean staff of four — Executive Director Suzi Spahr, Communications Manager Angie Day, Education & Operations Manager Jeff Winston, and Membership & Events Manager Christine Hawks — and leverages strategic partnerships (Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses delivered by ICIC; Good Sam Overnight Stays / Camping World; My Farm Marketing; Storylands Atlas; Agritourism Training Academy) to extend value to members without proportional headcount growth. The website is built on Neon One; no proprietary technology platform is described in source materials, and NAFDMA is positioned as a community and education association rather than a software or technology vendor.

Name

NAFDMA

Legal name

NAFDMA International Agritourism Association

Website

https://nafdma.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NAFDMA is a nonprofit trade association serving global agritourism operators through membership, annual events, an online Education Center, the PAUSE mental health initiative, scholarship programs, and a curated partner discount network. Founded 1986; Indianapolis, IN.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agritourism Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Farm Stays & Agritourism Lodges (THAMADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Farmstay B&Bs & Agritourism Inns (THAGAHAG)

Keywords

• Agritourism association services
• Farm direct marketing education
• Industry membership networking
• Agritourism events training
• Farm business support resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: Annual membership fees connect agritourism operators to a global network, exclusive education, resources, partner discounts, and community. Specific tier pricing is behind the membership login wall.
2. Event registration fees: Revenue from Convention & Expo, Agritourism Learning Retreats, Agritourism Farm Tours, and webinars. Scholarships (50% for general applicants, 100% for college students) are funded through a scholarship fund and donations.
3. Online store: Sale of archived webinars, workshops, educational presentations, one-page resources, and merchandise through the NAFDMA gift store.
4. Donations: NAFDMA accepts donations to its scholarship fund, which offsets event registration for applicants who demonstrate need and commitment to the industry.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

NAFDMA is a membership-based nonprofit trade association that connects agritourism operators globally through recurring annual membership subscriptions, flagship in-person events (Agritourism Convention & Expo, Agritourism Learning Retreats, Agritourism Farm Tours), an online Education Center with archived webinars and workshops, scholarship programs, a curated partner discount network, the PAUSE mental health initiative, a weekly newsletter (The Pollinator), a podcast, and a PR Crisis Service. Offerings are designed to deliver peer education, risk reduction, mental health support, business development resources, and collective buying power to entrepreneurial farm families operating agritourism enterprises.

Product overview

NAFDMA International Agritourism Association is a membership-based trade association for agritourism operators. The organization provides a platform connecting entrepreneurial farm families through membership services, annual events (Convention & Expo, Agritourism Learning Retreat, Agritourism Farm Tour), an Education Center with webinars and workshops, the PAUSE mental health initiative, scholarship programs, member discounts through partners, and content through The Pollinator weekly news and podcast. The association's offerings are designed to advance the agritourism industry through shared knowledge, education, connection, and wellness support for farm operators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PAUSE: Mental health and wellness initiative emphasizing Priority, Awareness, Unplug, Support and Exhale for agritourism operators.
• The Pollinator
• NAFDMA Scholarship Fund

Products and services

• NAFDMA Membership Recurring annual membership subscription that connects agritourism operators globally, providing access to the member portal, Education Center, webinars, member map, PR crisis service, podcast, member connection platform, and curated partner discounts. For entrepreneurial farm families and agritourism operators.
• Agritourism Convention & Expo Premier annual event for agritourism operators featuring site visits, farm excursions, speakers, seminars, hands-on learning, and industry exhibitors. Connects hundreds of peers across the agritourism industry each February. Upcoming editions include the 2027 Convention at Mohegan Sun, CT (February 3-7, 2027), 2028 at Columbus, OH, and 2029 at Sacramento, CA.
• Agritourism Learning Retreat (ALR) Multi-day intensive educational event connecting attendees with premier agritourism operations through immersive, hands-on education in best operational practices. Upcoming: 2026 ALR on October 27-29 at Bob's Corn and Pumpkin Farm and Thomas Family Farm, Snohomish, WA; 2027 ALR on July 28-29 at Anderson Farms, Erie, CO.
• Agritourism Farm Tour (AFT) Multi-day regional or international farm tour exploring a variety of farms in a particular geographic area, including traditional agritourism destinations, farms with retail focus, and operations that extend their season. Travel via coach bus for networking. Includes the 2027 Italy Agritourism Farm Tour (April 4-12, 2027 with optional Rome add-on April 12-14, 2027) and the January 2026 Costa Rica Agritourism Tour.
• Education Center Online hub containing archived webinars, workshops, and educational presentations, including work-life balance resources, mental health sessions, and materials from industry experts on popular topics. Exclusive to members.
• Member Discounts & Partners Program Curated network of trusted partners offering exclusive savings on business supplies, equipment, marketing tools, travel, lodging, and fuel. Collective buying programs helping members reduce operational costs.
• NAFDMA Online Store E-commerce store selling archived webinars, workshops, educational presentations, one-page resources, and NAFDMA-branded merchandise. Accessible at forms.nafdma.com.
• PR Crisis Service Support service for members facing public relations challenges, providing guidance and resources for managing crisis communications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 66% of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses participants report increased revenue within 6 months of graduation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (ICIC)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026NAFDMA members can participate in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) program at no cost. The program provides a full scholarship funded by the Goldman Sachs Foundation, covering curriculum on negotiation, marketing, employee management, and financial growth strategies. Delivered by ICIC (Initiative for a Competitive Inner City). Outcomes include 66% of graduates reporting increased revenue and 44% adding new jobs within six months of graduation.
• Good Sam Overnight Stays / Camping WorldcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNAFDMA partners with Good Sam Overnight Stays to connect agritourism member farms with RV travelers. Good Sam, backed by Camping World (largest RV dealer in North America), reaches 600,000+ Elite Members. NAFDMA members can join as hosts for free with no reservation minimums and full control over availability. The partnership is positioned as a simple entry point into the RV traveler market for agritourism operators. Contact: Kyle Mackowiak, Partnerships Manager, [email protected].
• Agritourism Training Academy (John Stanley and Lara)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Agritourism Training Academy is a comprehensive online training program operated by John Stanley and his daughter Lara. It is referenced by NAFDMA as a recommended resource for members seeking to grow their business through 'Onliness' strategy, business and marketing planning, and agritourism education. NAFDMA articles feature John Stanley as a guest author and promote the Academy to members.
• Storylands AtlasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStorylands Atlas partners with farms (including Chestnut Brae, mentioned in NAFDMA content) to extend the visitor experience digitally. Visitors scan QR codes at farms to access online memory storyboards, audio stories, collectables, digital adventures, recipes, and keepsakes. The organization works with farm partners in Canada, the US, UK, and Australia. NAFDMA promotes this as a storytelling tool for agritourism operators.
• My Farm Marketing (Miller Davis Agency)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMy Farm Marketing is a full-service marketing firm dedicated to helping farms and agritourism businesses. Operated by Miller Davis Agency with a team of 20+ professionals and 20+ years of industry experience, they offer branding, social media management, email marketing, website development, video production, printing, and more. NAFDMA publishes guest content from this partner.
• NAFDMA Partner NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNAFDMA maintains a curated network of trusted partners — businesses that have invested in the agritourism industry and understand seasonal demands, guest experience expectations, and operational challenges unique to farms. The partner network provides exclusive discounts to NAFDMA members on business supplies, equipment, marketing tools, travel, lodging, fuel, and operational costs. The network is highlighted as one of the primary member benefits alongside education and community.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Glamping Hub: Glamping Hub is a marketplace for upscale outdoor and unique stays including farm-based glamping sites. It is a complementary distribution channel for NAFDMA's farm-stay members and competes for consumer awareness in the agritourism / outdoor lodging segment.
• Hipcamp: Hipcamp is a marketplace for unique outdoor stays including farm stays, glamping, and camping on private land. It overlaps with NAFDMA's farm-stay category by offering individual farm operators a digital distribution channel to travelers, and competes for the same agritourism consumer.

Direct peers

• Harvest Hosts: Harvest Hosts is a membership-based platform connecting RV travelers (its members) with host farms, wineries, and attractions for overnight stays. It directly competes with NAFDMA's Good Sam Overnight Stays partnership channel and serves a similar operator base looking to monetize RV travelers.
• Farm Stay USA: Farm Stay USA is a marketplace and association-style organization connecting guests with farm-based lodging and experiences across the US. It is highly comparable to NAFDMA in serving the farm-stay / agritourism niche, though it focuses more on consumer lodging discovery while NAFDMA focuses on operator-to-operator education.

Broad incumbents

• National Farmers Union: National Farmers Union is a national membership-based farm association advocating for family farmers and ranchers. While broader than agritourism, it overlaps with NAFDMA's farm-operator membership base and competes for the same grassroots engagement and dues.
• American Farm Bureau Federation: American Farm Bureau Federation is the largest US general farm trade association, with state-level affiliates serving a broad cross-section of agriculture. While not focused on agritourism specifically, it is a membership-based association that competes for the attention and dues of farm operators and represents a broader-incumbent alternative for NAFDMA's target members.
• American Hotel & Lodging Association: American Hotel & Lodging Association is the national trade association for the lodging industry. It is structurally comparable to NAFDMA as a membership-based association serving operators of paid overnight experiences, though it focuses on traditional hotels rather than farm-based lodging.
• U.S. Travel Association: U.S. Travel Association is the national trade association representing the broad US travel industry. It is a comparable membership-association model serving an industry that includes agritourism, though it operates at a much larger scale and does not focus on operator-level education.

Regional players

• National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA): NASDA is a US-based association of state agriculture departments that engages with agritourism policy and farm-direct-marketing issues. It is comparable as a membership-based agricultural association engaging on agritourism-related policy, market access, and farm-direct topics similar to NAFDMA's remit.

Others

• Camping World Holdings (Good Sam): Camping World is the largest RV dealer in North America and owner of Good Sam, NAFDMA's partner connecting member farms to 600,000+ RV travelers. It is comparable as a strategic-distribution partner and increasingly overlapping in the agritourism-overnight marketplace through Good Sam Overnight Stays.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/north-american-farmers-direct-marketing-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NAFDMA