Mucking out horse stalls and milking cows may not seem like the perfect vacation, but perhaps it should be. Urban residents and suburban families, inundated with gadgets, social media, and constant information, are longing for a simpler lifestyle, even if just for a few days. Meanwhile, farmers, often struggling to make ends meet, are opening their doors to visitors. The result is a mutually beneficial arrangement: the farm stay vacation.
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Vacation to Unplug
My family was in need of a farm stay vacation. After a week-long technology ban, my 8-year-old son was finally allowed to use his iPad and our old family computer again. That night, as he struggled to sleep, he confided, “I keep thinking about video games.”
He continued, “I don’t want to play with technology anymore, but I can’t help myself. It’s like some adults with cigarettes. Sometimes I wish we could just eliminate technology altogether. I think it would make our family happier.”
Of course, the very next day he was back to begging for video games. Nevertheless, his insightful comments made me eager to book a family farm stay to help us unplug. When I mentioned this idea, he asked, “Have you ever been on one of those farm stays?”
“No,” I replied, “but I wrote an article about them a while back and interviewed farm owners and many people who love farm stays.”
I searched for my earlier article on the TODAY Show Travel website, only to find it had been deleted. I discovered the text on my computer and read it to my son. At first, he was hesitant about the “work” aspect of a farm experience, but by the end, he exclaimed, “I want to help on the farm! When can we go?”
Continuing from the introduction, here’s my original article about farm stays, now updated.
Change of Perspective
Tara Anderson, a mother of two from Chico, California, initially faced resistance from her husband when proposing an 8-hour road trip with their young daughters to Leaping Lamb Farm in Alsea, Oregon, one summer. However, after a few days immersed in the fresh coastal air—gathering fresh eggs for breakfast and sweeping the barn—he proclaimed, “This is the best.”
The Anderson family hopes to revisit Leaping Lamb Farm in the future, enchanted by its lush meadows and the sound of bleating lambs. Tara shared, “You really feel the life around you here.”
She added, “My kids are normally glued to their devices, and I have to limit their screen time strictly. While we were there, they never once asked to watch TV.”
Educational Experience for Kids
Farm stays offer families more than just relaxation; they provide children with invaluable lessons. They learn that food doesn’t automatically come shrink-wrapped in plastic. Scottie Jones, the owner of Leaping Lamb Farm, believes that understanding where our food comes from encourages better nutrition choices and eating habits.
Jessica Bowers, founder of SuitcasesandSippyCups.com, has experienced two farm stays with her four sons. She reflected, “Although we live in the city, I try to connect my kids with nature. However, they could easily think that food is grown in grocery stores. Collecting morning eggs, milking goats, and choosing fresh greens and herbs made them realize where our food actually begins.”
Farm Chores on Vacation
Though guests at farm stays aren’t required to pitch in with chores, many choose to do so. Valeria Pitoni from Stillwaters Farm in Western Tennessee explains, “Guests can participate in daily farm activities if they wish, but it’s completely voluntary.” These activities can include grooming animals, weeding a garden, harvesting hay, and witnessing baby animals being born.
Joanna Bloom, a mom from Oregon, makes an annual trip to Leaping Lamb Farm with her 12-year-old daughter. She believes, “Farm work naturally boosts confidence.”
When farm hosts and guests are asked about their favorite activity, the unanimous response is bottle-feeding baby animals. Some farms have orphaned animals that require bottle feeding, while dairy farms often separate calves from their mothers shortly after birth, creating numerous feeding opportunities.
A Different Kind of Getaway
Spending the night on a farm varies greatly from staying at a traditional bed and breakfast or country inn. There’s real work to be done, which adds depth to the experience for many travelers.
“When I first began hosting farm stays 28 years ago, I thought I was running a B&B. I quickly learned that it’s not about the pillows; it’s about the cows,” remarked Beth Kennett of Liberty Hill Farm in Vermont.
How to Find a Farm Stay for Your Family
From dairy farms to apple orchards and working ranches with horseback riding and cattle drives, there are unique stays to suit various preferences. To find the perfect farm stay for your family, visit FarmStayUS.org.
Our family did book a farm stay! Read about our experiences on the farm at Leaping Lamb Farm.
Explore More Nature Adventures
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Find out why a visit to the Carlsbad Flower Fields in San Diego County, California, is a must for families.
Learn why a trip to Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport, Maine, left me emotionally moved.
If you’re looking for outdoor adventures and simple pleasures, see what you can do in Big Timber, Montana.
Save These Family Farm Stay Tips
For future reference, save this article detailing the benefits of a farm holiday by pinning the image above to Pinterest. Also, be sure to follow Travel Mamas on Pinterest while you’re there!
Would you consider booking a family farm vacation? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
