By Jamie Martin
The 2026 California Agritourism Summit will take place in San Luis Obispo County from September 23 to 25. The event is led by the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, part of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
This summit will focus on expanding agritourism as a way to support farm income and rural development. It will include expert talks, group discussions, and breakout sessions that provide practical learning for attendees.
Rachael Callahan, statewide agritourism coordinator at UC SAREP, said the event will showcase farms with different scales and operations. Participants will have the opportunity to visit an urban farm, a cattle ranch, and a mushroom production facility to learn directly from farm owners.
“We’re going to an urban farm. Then we’ll be out on a big, huge cattle ranch. And an indoor mushroom growing facility,” said Callahan. “San Luis Obispo just has a lot to offer in terms of scale and products.”
The summit is designed for farmers, policymakers, regulators, and tourism professionals. Sessions will cover topics such as farm safety, emergency planning, and financial opportunities. Attendees will also learn strategies to promote agritourism in their local areas.
A key highlight of the event is its timing with recent policy changes. California has introduced new legislation that makes it easier for farmers to offer low impact camping on their land. This change is expected to create new income opportunities and encourage more participation in agritourism.
“California is more than the country’s leading agricultural state; it’s where food, family, and farming intersect in powerful ways that consumers can directly experience,” said California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross.
“Agritourism adds additional income for farming families while helping people from across the globe learn where their food comes from and connect with some of the people who grow it,” said Ross
“We look forward to wandering off the beaten path, with new friends and old, to discover urban farms, tucked-away family ranches and hand-crafted goods made right along the trail. These are places shaped by seasons, sweat and tradition,” said Lynette Sonne of FARMstead ED.
The summit is supported by several partners including California Grown, FARMstead ED, GO Biz, and Siskiyou Economic Development. It aims to create stronger connections, share successful models, and support the continued growth of agritourism in California.
Photo Credit: getty-images-alinamd
Categories: National