MOUNT SIDNEY—Great minds think alike when generating ideas to enhance public interest in Virginia’s agricultural communities. Local passport programs are the ticket to unexpected rural adventures.
Last fall, Augusta County’s farm advocates rubberstamped their own passport program. It was inspired by similar initiatives in neighboring communities that are designed to connect residents and visitors with local farms and agribusinesses.
The Augusta County Farm Explorer Passport program kicked off this spring season.
Kristin Beery, an agricultural instructor at Valley Career & Technical Center, brought students on a day trip to collect stamps at all 10 farm and market sites listed in The Farm Explorer of Frederick County Passport.
The passport program was a “pretty cool idea,” and her Augusta County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee cohorts agreed.
“My students laid out the passport framework and farms they thought would work,” Beery said.
The Augusta County Farm Explorer Passports are available at any of the 10 farm and market sites listed as passport destinations—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.
Kids and adults can collect stamps through November, with fully stamped passports redeemed for prizes. Visit augustafarmexplorer.com for details.
Beery credited Kayla Lawrence for bringing the farm explorer passport trend to Virginia.
In 2024, Lawrence and the Frederick County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee introduced The Farm Explorer of Frederick County Passport program. The free passport books entice families to collect stamps at the area’s 10 farm markets from April through December.
“This allows plenty of time to visit multiple farms!” Lawrence said.
Over 6,000 passport books for adults and children were distributed the past two seasons, with hundreds of fully stamped books redeemed for prizes as the visitors center.
Visit thefarmexplorer.com to see participating farms and markets.
And last spring, a Travel the Towns Passport program was established with 54 total stops, spanning Broadway, New Market and Timberville, including multiple agribusinesses.
“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 inaugural passport program was a success, returning this season with more locations and an extended timeline. Participants can collect stickers at over 60 locations from May 1 to May 31.
Prizes and gift baskets valued at over $2,000 have been supplied by business partners in 2026. Travelers can submit a completed passport for prize drawings.
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Virginia Farm Bureau