Harvesting Happiness: Experience The Joy of Pizza Farms

by Scottie Jones, | June 2, 2023

Hawkins Family Farm, North Manchester, IN

Check out our pizza farm and farm stay map at the bottom of the page!

In the world of sustainable farming and culinary delights, an intriguing concept emerged from the Midwestern U.S. in the early 2000’s: pizza farms. Blending the joy of farm-to-table dining with the irresistible allure of pizza, these innovative establishments offer an enchanting experience for food lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Although these concept farms have popped up all over the U.S., the Midwest is still considered the “hub” with more pizza farms than any other region.

people sitting on blankets on a farm eating pizza — Suncrest Farms, Cochran, WI

The appeal of pizza farms lies not only in the culinary experience but also in the immersive nature of the outing. Visiting a pizza farm is a multisensory experience that delights both the palate and the soul. Enjoying a slice while you stroll through gardens and breathe in the fresh country air provides the every-day city dweller an accessible opportunity to experience the perks of farm life. Visitors can explore the sprawling farmland, witness the agricultural process firsthand, and even participate in activities such as picking their own vegetables or making their own sausage and cheese! These interactive experiences create a sense of connection and appreciation for the food on your plate.

At the heart of every pizza farm is the wood-fired oven, imparting an unmistakable smoky flavor to the pizzas. The skilled pizzaiolos expertly craft each pie with ingredients straight from the garden, resulting in the freshest slice you will sink your teeth into.

Beyond the delectable pies, many pizza farms offer a range of other farm-fresh delicacies. Guests can indulge in salads made with seasonal produce, artisanal bread, farmstead cheeses, and homemade desserts. Some pizza farms even feature live music and local breweries or wineries, complementing the meal with perfectly paired libations and entertainment.

Moreover, pizza farms embrace the principles of sustainability and environmental consciousness. By growing their ingredients on-site, farmers reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation and support the local economy. Many pizza farms employ organic and regenerative farming practices, further emphasizing their commitment to ecological well-being.

Pizza farms have redefined the farm-to-table concept, combining the joy of fresh ingredients with the universally loved comfort food — pizza. These establishments have captured the hearts and taste buds of food enthusiasts by offering an immersive and sustainable dining experience. By embracing the principles of agritourism and showcasing the beauty of local agriculture, pizza farms have become a unique way to reconnect with nature and savor the flavors of the land. So, the next time you find yourself craving a slice of pizza, consider embarking on a culinary adventure to a pizza farm—a place where freshness and flavor come together in perfect harmony.

We have compiled a list of Farm Stay USA hosts with pizza ovens as well as pizza farms that source their ingredients directly from the farm and/or from local purveyors.

Take your next vacation on a pizza farm!

FSUSA members:

**Stony Creek Farmstead** Walton, NY – May through October on Saturday nights, they light their wood-fired brick oven and invite neighbors and guests to enjoy field fresh salads and partake in creating their own pizzas while sitting around a campfire. All the makings for S’mores are available in their farm store to round off the perfect meal.

**The Country Experience** Elizabeth, IL – We can’t think of anything better than having a pizza included in your farm stay! Their pizza is hand-tossed by an in-house chef with ingredients right from the farm. Offering a real “country experience” to guests and even camps for kids to participate in farming and spend some quality time outdoors – without devices.

**Dogwood Hills Farm** Harriet, AR – Stay on the farm and take a pizza making class for $40 per person, ages 6+. Starting with the pizza dough made fresh in the morning, you can add seasonal toppings and cheese sourced from the farm as well as a variety of different sauces. Your exclusive dinner will also include a local salad and dessert.

**Heritage Farm** Flora, IN – Relax at sunset with the farmers with a glass of wine and a 10” wood-fired pizza made by the hosts themselves for only $12. Don’t forget to get up for chores the next morning – collecting eggs and feeding the alpacas!

**Stone and Thistle Farm** East Meredith, NY- An Ooni oven is used on site for guests that would like to purchase a pie with cheese made from the farm. Hands-on, sausage-making and cheese-making intensive workshops are also available where you learn from a professional fromager how to make ricotta, feta and mozzarella from goat and cow’s milk – cheese tastings are of course included!

**Grand View Farm** Washington, VT – We offer on-farm pizza nights for our local community from time to time during the summer season. Guests who are on the farm during these events are welcome to join us and purchase a wood-fired pizza with locally-sourced ingredients. Guests may enjoy their pizza sitting on the porch or on our garden deck overlooking our sheep pasture.

**Felicity Farms** Hurdle Mills, NC – Help with the harvest and then relax in the pool (or hot tub!) after you whip up a pizza in the wood-fired oven in the backyard or in the Ooni oven in the rental house. Grab some of their organic Berkshire pork sausage or other seasonal ingredients for your pizza!

Pizza Map:

Featured in Yellow: Learn where your pizza comes from and stay a few nights at one of the Farm Stay USA farms for a more private pizza party. These FSUSA members are equipped with pizza ovens and use their own ingredients from the farm and/or local ingredients. Some of them even offer classes on dough-making and cheese-making so you can learn more about the whole process – a complete farm to table experience!

Featured in Red: Strictly pizza Farms (not farm stays) that source their ingredients straight from their farm and locally.

Tags: farmstay, farmstays, pizza, pizza farm, pizza farms