Open Farm Day

Maine's Open Farm Day is a statewide event, started by Maine farmers and supporters in 1989. For more than 30 years, this premier agritourism event has been a way to raise awareness about farms and their importance to Maine. It is an opportunity to connect visitors to Maine farms so they may learn and see firsthand the care and effort to produce quality Maine farm products and ingredients year-round. Each site is different and offers visitors a chance to meet farmers and learn more about the role of farms across Maine.

Open Farm Day Dates - The fourth Sunday in July! - July 26, 2026

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For Visitors

We celebrate Maine agriculture year-round, and Open Farm Day is an extra special day to visit a farm and discover more ways to enjoy farm products year-round! Maine's Open Farm Day allows visitors to explore host farms throughout the state on the fourth Sunday in July, rain or shine.

• Plan Your Open Farm Day Adventure - Find Participating Farms

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For Host Farms

How to Sign Up - Due Annually on May 1

Sign up annually by May 1 to take full advantage of all the pre-event planning and promotional opportunities:

• Summer In Maine Agriculture, Open Farm Day listings are published in local papers and displayed at Maine's Visitor Centers.
• Visitor trip itineraries and interactive maps, featured in publicity and shared with Maine's tourism partners. 
• Receive printed event posters and Summer In Maine Agriculture copies, if requested.
• Inclusion in social media campaigns and use of digital assets.
• Farms that sign up after the May 1 deadline will still be listed on the webpage (typically updated by early June).

What Farms Should Know About Maine Open Farm Day

• It occurs the fourth Sunday in July, rain or shine, between 10 AM and 3 PM.
• Host farms can adjust their schedules, but must communicate this when they sign up.
• You should be willing to welcome guests and visitors to your farm to learn more about Maine agriculture. Refer to the resources for planning and event ideas.
• There is no fee for farms to sign up for this promotion, but you must be an active Real Maine member to participate.
• There is no fee to become a member of Real Maine, a promotional program of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

How to Sign up for Maine's Open Farm Day

• All host farms that want to join promotions need a Real Maine member account to participate.
• Please use our sign-up form for Maine's Open Farm 2026. May 1 is the deadline to benefit from all promotions (print, web, digital, email, social, etc.)

If you already have a Real Maine account:
Log in to the Real Maine Member Portal and complete two steps. You can watch this tutorial for help using the portal.

• Step 1: Add Open Farm Day to your member listing. Select this year’s Open Farm Day event in your profile listing—under events. A blue box with a white check mark means the event is selected.
• Step 2: Submit a calendar event for your Open Farm Day activities. Include the date, start and end times, and a short description of your activities. Calendar submissions usually take three to five business days to be reviewed and posted online.

Instructions for Farms That Missed the May 1 Deadline

If you do not have a Real Maine account:

• You need to create a Real Maine membership account. Use this sign-up form, which will create a new account request and sign you up for this year’s Open Farm Day.
• After your account is approved, log in to the Member Portal and submit a calendar event listing for your Open Farm Day activities.
• Please allow at least five to seven business days for new member information to be approved, and for event details to appear online.

If you already have a Real Maine account:
Log in to the Real Maine Member Portal and complete two steps. You can watch this tutorial for help using the portal.

• Step 1: Add Open Farm Day to your member listing. Select this year’s Open Farm Day event in your profile listing—under events. A blue box with a white check mark means the event is selected.
• Step 2: Submit a calendar event for your Open Farm Day activities. Include the date, start and end times, and a short description of your activities. Calendar submissions usually take three to five business days to be reviewed and posted online.

Where your information will be promoted if it is submitted after the deadline:

Information submitted after May 1 may still appear on the Open Farm Day promotional webpage at: www.realmaine.com/openfarmday

Host Farm Resources

Current & potential participants: Signup to receive emails and updates about Open Farm Day. Find more resources on the Department's agritourism webpage.

Host Farm FAQs (PDF)

Webinars and Videos

• Open Farm Day Sign Up How-To Video (YouTube)

Planning Tips and Templates

• Preparation Checklist (PDF) - Suggestions to get ready to host visitors
• Blank Daily Schedule (PDF)
• Welcoming Guest to the Farm (PDF) – Tips for sharing memorable visitor experiences

Farmer-sourced Open Farm Day Ideas

• Possible Activities to Host at Your Agricultural Event (PDF)

Digital Assets

• Social Media Toolkit Tips (PDF) – Suggestions for using Facebook and pre-made images.
• Social Media Images (ZIP) - Download for use in your own promotions, and with the toolkit tips.
• Digital Posters (PDF)

Signs - Promotional, Directional and Safety

• Pilot version: Storyboard, Color, Pre-made, Print-Ready 8.5x11 (PDF) – Invite your visitors to use their mobile device QR codes to explore more about Maine agriculture. These can be displayed throughout tour areas to add more details. Send feedback and ideas about this tool to acfopenfarmday@maine.gov
• QR Code Visitor Survey Sign, Print-ready, 8.5 x 11 (PDF) – Invite your visitors to use their mobile device QR codes to provide feedback when they visit your farm as part of Open Farm Day. Organizers share the summary of responses with host farms.
• Directional Signs, Print-ready, 8.5 x 11 (PDF) – A set of 13 signs to help farmers direct and instruct farm visitors.
• Agritourism Sign, Print-ready, 24 x 30-inch (PDF) – Includes required language from Maine's agritourism liability statute. May be used as an option to professionally print signs for agritourism activities.
• Food safety, Zoonotic Disease, Handwashing Signs – Includes pre-made signs to help you share important messages about farm, animal, and people's health. (To order or download for printing.)

Risk Management - Insurance, Safety, and Maine's Liability Statute

• Liability in Maine Agritourism Statute - Review the State of Maine statute about agritourism liability.
• Farm Safety Check: Agritourism - Planning information and safety checklists.
• Extension Training for Agritourism Development - Video modules and supplemental planning material.
• Maine Bureau of Insurance, Consumer Guide to Insuring Your Farm (PDF) –This covers the basics of property and liability coverage.

Important Dates - Annual Schedule and Deadlines

Month	Items Due
January - May	Begin planning for event Sign up via your Real Maine account If you don't have a Real Maine listing, learn how to create an account and sign up
May	5/1 Deadline to be in the promotions Review the resources for host farms Become familiar with DACF agritourism resources.
May - July	Continue event planning and preparation Add your info to the online event listings Make the most of promotions - share on social media with #MaineOpenFarmDay Finalize plans for your farm Share your farm’s event feedback with organizers thoughts about Open Farm Day. (This is optional. Organizers use this to help plan future events.)
Fourth Sunday in July	Open Farm Day!

Interested farm participants should email ACFOpenFarmDay@maine.gov or call (207) 287-7620 with questions.