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Home › Articles › Activities › Down on the Farm

Down on the Farm

Escape to Simplicity, Education and Livestock!

By Jacqueline Rupp

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Patricia Smith spent time at Buck Valley with her family. "We've traveled all over the U.S. and Europe with our children, but that year [we first visited the farm] they were 6 and 8, and this was one of our best family holidays," says the mom from New York, N.Y. "Laid back, restful, stress-free, entertaining and educational. The food was over the top (I'm a chef by trade and very picky), their guesthouse was more than adequate and the price made it one of the best values in family holidays."

Some farms offer the opportunity to rent the entire guesthouse to accommodate large family groups. "At Canter Berry Tails you get to rent the entire four-bedroom house, so you really get the idea that you are living on our farm," says Abahazy. "Your children get their own bedrooms just like home. We don't charge per person, the house rents for a set rate, so you can share the cost of the house with family or friends."

It's kind of hard to imagine a vacation with no itinerary, mornings rushing out of hotels, maps to navigate or crowds to contend with. "The lack of superficial distractions draws families closer," says Gerlach. "They can share conversation about the new way of life they are experiencing."

Opportunities to talk, enjoy a stroll or lay out in a field are the memories that parents and children will treasure for years to come. "Families will enjoy not having to worry about preparing meals, waiting in line, buying soda, hot dogs and souvenirs," says Fox. They will enjoy watching their kids have fun, answering questions their kids have, talking to each other. Kids will probably be on their best behavior. It kind of comes naturally on the farm."

Tips for a Comfortable Farm Stay

Because farm vacations are a bit different from your average family vacation, here are some tips that will make your farm stay more enjoyable.

  • Ask before making reservations about what is included – meals, linens, phones and toiletries. Pack accordingly.
  • "Talk about sharing responsibility for meal preparation and clean up," advises Charles Gerlach.
  • "Don't buy new clothes, wear old shoes or rubber muck boots," says Sally Hassinger. "Part of exploring is getting dirty. Bring clothing suitable for the season. Winter exploration is only fun if you are warm."
  • Keep your eyes and mind open, says Hassinger. "When you live in the country, there are always unexpected things that occur, but you will only see them if you are outside looking for them," she says. "You can only see a toad blow up its throat and trill if you are looking for it with a flashlight. You can only see a shooting star if you are looking up."
  • Keep a loose schedule. "Parents sometimes need to kick back and relax," says Marcy Tudor.

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