“Life follows the rhythm of the seasons."
If you visit a farm that raises livestock, you may encounter livestock guardian dogs (LGDs). LGDs aren't your usual pet dogs, which people don't always realize. We've heard stories of well-meaning neighbors accusing farmers of mistreating these working animals, or worse, threatening to remove the dogs!
Netherfield Natural Farm, located in Fontana, Kansas, offers two types of stays in their restored 1882 Victorian farmhouse. You can opt for a traditional B&B style stay (which includes breakfast, of course), or a farm stay with all family style meals included while you're on the farm.
Thanksgiving... a celebration of coming together and giving thanks for the bounty of the year. It seems natural and right that such a gathering take place on a farm, doesn't it? But not everyone has the opportunity... maybe no family farm to visit while growing up, or simply no proximity. My childhood Thanksgivings were spent with my grandparents. We had no river or woods to traverse; they hosted the festivities at their home in a Los Angeles suburb. Grandma's kitchen had cast iron pans, bacon fat saved in a jar on the stove, and my very own checked apron hanging behind the door, but it was no farm kitchen. She was a good cook, my grandma, making the most of our feast of canned cranberries, boxed cornbread, and a big frozen Butterball turkey. (And don't forget the mini marshmallows on the sweet potatoes.) I LOVED it. It's still my favorite holiday, though we make dramatically different food choices these days. Here at Farm Stay U.S. we're always checking in with our listed members to see what they're offering. The other day I ran a search on Thanksgiving Dinner to see which farms or ranches had checked that off as an activity travelers could enjoy. Thanksgiving table at the Inn at East Hill Farm The Inn at East Hill Farm in Troy, New Hampshire is one such farm stay where guests can enjoy a Thanksgiving feast and fully immerse themselves in farm life! During the entire Thanksgiving weekend, guests can stay any number of nights, and each overnight includes 3 meals, including Thanksgiving dinner. Milk the cow and goat, collect chicken eggs, take a pony ride, jump in the hay, and help feed the animals. The jam-packed weekend activity schedule is full of opportunities to hike, take a bread or cheese making workshop, make candles, camp fires with s'mores, and so much more. There is even a contra dance and a cocktail party! To learn more, visit the Inn at East Hill Farm's listing here on Farm Stay U.S. You can also search through all our listings to find farms, ranches, and vineyards to visit all through the year.Roast turkey, baked ham, all the sides, and all home cooked on the farm... what could be better? Happy Thanksgiving! The Inn at East Hill Farm Photos courtesy East Hill Farm, except for that amazing 70s era photo which, as you may have guessed, is me and my grandpa goofing around over the Butterball.
Grand View Farm was one of the earliest farms in the town of Washington, dating back to its initial purchase in 1794. Since then, it has passed through two other families and was finally purchased in 2004 by today’s owners the Goodling family. As the fourth family to own the farm, they have made substantial efforts to reestablish some of its agricultural history. Today, the farm’s main focus is fiber animals. The Goodlings also offer a Bed and Breakfast Farm Stay in their 19th century farmhouse. Enjoy a farm fresh organic breakfast of local foods and the farm’s own pure Vermont maple syrup, then spend some time exploring the beautiful Green Mountains and taking one of the classes offered at Grand View.
Stillwaters Farm, located in Henderson, Tennessee, is 131 acres replete with green pastures, shady wooded areas, small ponds, and grassy hay fields. We spoke with Valeria Pitoni about what makes Stillwaters such a special spot.
Please say hello to our new Farm Stay U.S. member, Three Sparrows Farm! The farm has a cabin which accommodates up to four guests. They welcome kids of all ages, who are free to roam and explore, help with chores, nap on the porch, and explore the area. There are horse riding facilities and hiking trails located nearby.Farmers Doug and Erin raise Mini-Mancha goats on their two acre farm just 15 minutes from the historic town of Prescott, Arizona. Guests can enjoy fresh goat milk, plus eggs from the farm's chickens. Meet their "deceptively charming" donkey, named Button! Kids! Three Sparrows Farm** This farm is no longer active with Farmstay and may no longer welcome guests **
Liberty Hill Farm forms a lovely bucolic picture: a 102-cow dairy and inn nestled along the White River between the steep hills in Central Vermont. There's a tall red barn where guests can try milking a cow or feeding the calves. There's a cozy 1800s farmhouse where guests sleep, eat two home cooked meals a day, and relax, either in the comfy sitting room or on a rocker on the roomy porch. There's also an abundance of nature to enjoy - swimming, tubing and fishing along the White River, hiking and biking through the Green Mountain National Forest, and berry bushes and flowers growing on the wild pieces of the property. In winter, opportunities abound for both cross-country and downhill skiing.
We talked to hundreds (thousands?) of people at the Mother Earth News Fair last weekend. They had lots of questions for us.
While farm stay lodging can be an added source of revenue, most farms focus on growing for their living. Many sell wholesale, but, more and more, local farmer's markets are offering a direct farm to table revenue outlet that allows small-scale production farm to cover costs and even make a profit.
Spring means baby animals for many farms. There may be lambs (baby sheep) or kids (baby goats) or calves (baby cows) or chicks (baby chickens). Test your baby nameology. What kind of animal is a cria, a gosling, or a foal? (ANSWER: baby alpaca, baby goose, baby horse)
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