Beyond the Barn: How Matt Baumgartner Built a Global Platform for Rural Queer Identity at June Farms

Set in the rolling hills of New York’s Hudson Valley, "June Farms" is the latest unscripted series on Amazon Prime Video, inviting viewers into the life of gay entrepreneur Matt Baumgartner and the rural sanctuary he has built. The series follows Baumgartner and his tight-knit staff as they navigate a high-pressure wedding season on a 120‑acre property that functions as a working farm, bar and restaurant, and luxury event space.

The farm itself has become a destination for guests from across the United States seeking nature, animals, and upscale hospitality. Visitors can stay in distinctive cabins and other accommodations, enjoy food and drinks in a barn-turned-bar, and wander the grounds to interact with cows, horses, and other animals. Baumgartner has described the property as a place where the sights, sounds, and smells of the countryside are central to the experience, especially for travelers arriving from large cities.

The official description of "June Farms" emphasizes Baumgartner’s goal of making the venue “the premier event space in the Hudson Valley,” highlighting the challenge of delivering “perfect bespoke weddings” each week while contending with unpredictable weather and a young staff juggling their personal lives. In interviews, he has spoken candidly about how cameras added to the pressure of an already demanding operation, but said that the intense environment is part of what drives him.

Baumgartner’s route to television was paved by a long career in hospitality. He has operated numerous bars and restaurants over the years and initially purchased farmland to raise beef and pork for his own venues. After deciding he did not want to continue animal harvesting, he shifted the property’s focus to welcoming guests, transforming a pig barn into a bar and turning the farm into a leisure and event destination. In a recent video interview, he reflected on how he thrives on challenges and seasonal intensity, noting that weddings and guest stays keep him constantly engaged.

In conversation with entertainment outlets, Baumgartner has also addressed his leadership style, describing himself as “very direct” and sometimes “a difficult boss,” while emphasizing that he strives to be fair and to grow in how he communicates with staff. Speaking with Golden Envelope, he said effective leadership means being authentic, truthful, and clear, adding that people “just want to be treated respectfully and communicated with directly.” He noted that respect from staff comes from investing time in genuine, individual connections.

Throughout coverage of "June Farms", Baumgartner has been explicit about the venue’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion, especially for weddings. He told Out Magazine that if anyone has an issue with him being gay, they are not welcome to book events at the property, saying he has a “hard ‘no’” for potential clients who cannot accept his identity. When asked how he responds to questions about whether same-gender couples can marry at the farm, he said he immediately identifies himself as gay and reassures them that the venue will host “the best wedding.”

Baumgartner has also highlighted how social media imagery of queer couples marrying at June Farms plays a role in signaling safety and affirmation, noting that photos and videos of previous LGBTQ+ weddings make the farm’s inclusive values “obvious” to prospective clients. This visibility aligns with broader trends in LGBTQ+ media representation, where reality series increasingly showcase queer and transgender people in leadership and entrepreneurial roles.

The series further explores the idea of chosen family, with Baumgartner describing his staff as more than employees. He has said that he forms strong emotional connections with the people who work alongside him and feels a responsibility for both their well-being and the farm’s high standards. That dynamic, including moments of conflict and care, is a core narrative thread of the show.

Media coverage of "June Farms" has underscored how the series contributes to a growing body of LGBTQ+ storytelling that moves beyond big-city settings. By centering a gay business owner in a rural environment, the show presents queer life as deeply integrated into local economies, hospitality, and community-building rather than as an urban exception.

Baumgartner has spoken about the joy he sees when guests arrive and respond to the landscape, animals, and atmosphere of the farm, describing June Farms as a joyful place that feels good to share with others. With viewers now able to watch that world unfold on screen, the series offers both an inside look at high-stakes event planning and a portrait of queer and transgender-inclusive hospitality rooted in the Hudson Valley.