Agritourism: Cultivating careers and community in West Michigan

As spring approaches in West Michigan, the signs of a new season are everywhere — buds beginning to bloom, crops pushing through the soil and animals enjoying longer days in the sunshine. Along with warmer weather comes something else we look forward to each year: the start of agritourism season! 

Agritourism is a booming industry in West Michigan, blending agriculture with hospitality and tourism to create unforgettable experiences for residents and visitors alike. From farm‑to‑table meals and seasonal festivals to u‑pick fields and orchards, petting farms, corn mazes and vineyard events, agritourism supports our local economy while showcasing the region’s agricultural roots. 

More importantly, agritourism impacts all five sectors of hospitality, food & beverage, lodging, transportation, entertainment and recreation, and event planning, while generating year-round and seasonal jobs and even providing entry‑level career opportunities for those new to the workforce. 

Below are brief summaries of how agritourism intertwines with each individual hospitality sector. Be on the lookout for underlined positions — those are some of the most in-demand positions according to West Michigan Works!’ Annual HotJobs! List. 

Food and beverage 

The food & beverage industry is lush with farm‑to‑table experiences, seasonal festivals and locally inspired restaurant menus. Guests seek fresh produce from local establishments like Ed Dunneback and Girls Farm Market or other local farmer’s markets, locally raised meats and handcrafted food and beverage products, along with the restaurants that supply them. 

All this activity supports a variety of hospitality employees, including farmers, cooks, chefs, servers, bakers, baristas and food production teams. It too strengthens local supply chains by keeping food production and purchasing close to home. 

Entry‑level job opportunities related to this vibrant sector include:  

• Farm hands 

• Hosts 

• Baristas 

• Servers 

• Chefs 

• Cooks 

• Food runners 

Lodging 

Travelers within our seven-county region often plan overnight stays to explore multiple agritourism destinations. Guests may dine at hotel restaurants, visit hotel bars or use hospitality amenities while enjoying their stay. During their stay, they may also visit local businesses while supporting hotel and lodging staff, including maintenance and repair workers. 

Across West Michigan—encompassing Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties—agritourism opportunities abound. Each county offers a rich mix of farmers markets, U‑Pick experiences, and immersive farm tours. For sweeping flower fields, look to Caledonia and Fennville for lavender and Montague for vibrant sunflower blooms. Visitors seeking fun dairy farm experiences can head to Nashville in Montcalm County, while petting zoos and family-friendly farm attractions can be found throughout Grand Rapids, Stanton, Montcalm, and Zeeland. From seasonal events to year‑round experiences, West Michigan’s agritourism truly offers something for everyone. 

For lodging, entry‑level opportunities include:  

• Front desk agents 

• Housekeepers 

• Janitorial workers 

• Breakfast attendants  

• Guest service staff 

Transportation 

Visitors travel to West Michigan specifically for agritourism festivals, tours and seasonal events. These experiences include tours (including coastal tours for wineries and breweries for when the weather is right), shuttles, or unique ride experiences and support chauffeurs, drivers, airport staff, shuttle operators, logistics teams and maintenance and repair workers. 

There are plenty of entry‑level opportunities available surrounding the transportation sector, including:  

• Valet attendants 

• Ticket agents  

• Parking staff 

• Janitorial crews 

• Transportation support roles 

Event planning 

Visitors and community members actively attend or host celebrations at agritourism venues. Think of weddings or other private events, festivals like Holland’s annual Tulip Time, workshops and tastings at local vineyards or breweries. All these agritourism events create sustained openings for event planners, coordinators, production crews, food & beverage teams and a variety of vendors. 

Entry‑level opportunities in our event planning sector include, but aren’t limited to:  

• Ticket agents  

• Event hosts  

• Setup and teardown staff  

• Guest services 

• Janitorial teams 

Don’t know how to find Agritourism events in West Michigan? Here are some great resources! 

West Michigan Tourism Association- Agritourism & Farmers Markets 

Experience Grand Rapids- Events 

Discover Michigan Farm Fun- West Central Michigan 

Entertainment and recreation 

Finally, guests who visit our seven-county area also seek immersive experiences such as hayrides, petting zoos, live music, tastings, tours, workshops, and seasonal attractions. Positions in this sector of the hospitality industry enhance guest engagement while supporting education, recreation and tourism — all while unifying all five hospitality sectors.  Making these great experiences, including Spring Fling, Babes and Bubbles and Tulip Time, happen even includes higher-level roles sch as marketing and frontline supervisor positions. 

Entry‑level opportunities surrounding entertainment and recreation include:  

• Ticket agents 

• Attraction attendants 

• Food & beverage vendors 

• Facilities attendants  

• Activity staff