Go on a Farm Stay for an Agricultural Adventure

Farms are in vogue — whether you choose to buy your produce from one via a CSA or visit one for a farm dinner or other event. One of the best ways to see the workings of a farm up close and get to know the farmers is to engage in a farm stay, where you can spend a night or two on site enjoying the scenery and the quiet. It’s also a great way to support your local farmers, who make money from your visit.

Farm stays are different than their cousin activity, WOOFing, which involves actual work. It stands for Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and involves living and learning on the farm of your choosing. Options are scattered around the world and are great if you want to get your hands dirty.

But farm stays are more relaxing. Each farm offers something different: Some provide breakfast like a B&B, while others just let you use a home or cabin on the property. You may be sharing a larger home with other people (including the proprietors) or you may have it to yourself. These opportunities are available worldwide though there’s no centralized agency organizing this.

One great place to look is on Farm Stay US, which has listings for the United States.