Staying at a farm – even if just a weekend – is a vacation experience families will not soon forget. It is a chance for kids to experience firsthand where food comes from and even help with farm chores, such as feeding baby lambs and collecting eggs.
It a way out of the hustle and bustle of modern life; it is a retreat that can brings families back to America’s farm roots and a calmer, simpler way of life.
Farm Stays: Families Have Always Vacationed on Farms
Farm vacations are not new. In fact, 50 years ago city dwellers who needed a break would call their country cousins for a respite from urban life.
However, today, with less than 2% of the U.S. population now living on working farms, finding a relative with a farm is unlikely for most people.
Luckily there still many farmers who, in addition to farming, love to play host to their urban “cousins.” These farmers are part of an ever-growing trend of agri-tourism, which is becoming a popular getaway for suburban and urban dwellers.
Farm Vacations More Relaxing and Inexpensive Than Traditional Vacations
Many parents who have taken a farm vacation report that it is more relaxing than a traditional vacation (such as at a Club Med or Disney World), plus farm vacations promote simpler values they want to instill in their children – like hard work and respect for nature.
A farm vacation is not only relaxing, but it is a true bargain. The average middle income American family spends hundreds of dollars annually in its two weeks' pursuit of fun and relaxation. Most lay out even more money on camping equipment, special vehicles, boats, motorcycles, gasoline, motels, restaurants, camping fees, portable TVs, movies, liquor, repair bills and more. Sometimes families need a vacation after the vacation to recover from the stress of spending all that money and not really having a relaxing time.
What is it Like to Stay on a Farm?
Imagine for a moment waking to the sound of the rooster crowing and chickens clucking. Many farms also allow vacationers to collect fresh eggs, milk a cow, feed a baby lamb out of a bottle, and pick vegetables.
Farms are a place to really “let go”, participate in some real down-to-earth activities, eat wholesome home-grown and cooked meals, and probably have the best sleep in years.
Farm Stays Benefits Families -- and Farmers
Taking a farm vacation not only benefits families – but farmers as well.
For farmers – the influx of guests who are willing to pay for lodging and the “farm experience” is becoming vital to their economic survival and preserving the rural landscape. In fact, farms who include some kind of “agri-tourism” (such as farm stays) are managing to stay afloat and even thrive.
With many independent farms on the verge of extinction, cash-strapped farmers are finding a good stream of income hosting urban/suburban guests…who actually want to milk their cows and gather eggs!
So this season, instead of taking the usual vacation -- pack along the muck boots and a sense of adventure and head for the nearest farm.
For an ebook on farms stays in northern New England visit: Farm Stays Northern New England.
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