Have you ever stayed at a farmstay, or thought about it?

thestartupman · #1 03/13/11, 11:31 AM

Have you ever stayed at a farmstay, or thought about it? I know most on here already have their own farms, but have you ever thought about staying at a farmstay, instead of a hotel while traveling, or being on vacation? Or, maybe you are just thinking about getting a farm, and have stayed, or thought about staying on a farm stay. What did you like, or dislike about it? Or, what kind of things would you want to do, or learn at a farmstay if you where to go? Any other thoughts about farmstays would be great to hear about also.

Jenn · #2 03/13/11, 12:20 PM

When we lived in UK went for a week to an organic farm in Wales on vaca. They also had a farmgate shop and had WOOFERs- though the WOOFers lived in traveling gypsy type caravans not the nice add on (stable conversion?) to the house we were in. And we tacked on a house guest while we were there- my college roommate took a nice room in the main house (she got bed and breakfast, we had our own kitchenette) for a few days. It was convenient to the Welsh sites we wanted to see- mountains to climb beaches to walk and a new age Eco museum- and I enjoyed walking around their walled in garden getting garden ideas. "Don't the birds get a lot of your berries?" and "Well we have so many we don't mind sharing" was my only interchange with the farmer other than arranging the stay or buying jam or vegetables from her.

Morakai · #3 03/13/11, 02:31 PM

This summer I am going to an eco-village to stay for a week. I will hopefully be learning about how to build sustainably (straw bale), as well as gardening, living off-grid, and a host of other things. Started planning in Feb, and am sooo excited!!! This is a group that are like homesteaders, but want to live within a community of like minded people. I know I lean more that way as I would probally be doing this alone (BF not into this), so to have others around that I could help & be helped is a blessing in my eyes. Unless of course there is someone on the boards that wouldn't mind a live-in helper...

oregon woodsmok · #4 03/13/11, 03:05 PM

Are you thinking of starting a farm stay on your place?

I would think it would be just about like a B&B, only with some casual classes thrown in. Whatever you are doing that day, the guests tag along and you explain what you are doing.

Although it would be 3 meals a day, not just breakfast.

Morakai · #5 03/13/11, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oregon woodsmok

Are you thinking of starting a farm stay on your place?

I would think it would be just about like a B&B, only with some casual classes thrown in. Whatever you are doing that day, the guests tag along and you explain what you are doing.

Although it would be 3 meals a day, not just breakfast.

The place that I am going gives lunch & dinner. You have to make your own breakfast, though you can have access to the kitchen if have to cook it. Which I don't mind, as I don't eat when I first get up. Takes a few hours before I am ready to eat & by that time it is lunch. Only thing in the morning I want is my Dr. Pepper (and yes I am working on that addiction as well<sigh>).

where I want to · #6 03/13/11, 03:54 PM

I thought about it when I read your post but the shudder of dread about having to do OTHER people's chores while my own pile up caused an immediate mental block.

Morakai · #7 03/13/11, 04:19 PM

Right I would love to be able to go to a farmstay. The Eco-village is the closest that I could find for it. I am determined to have a homestead soon. However, I also know that I am severely lacking in knowledge, and experience to do it on my own. There are things that I can learn there, and can help them do so that I am not taking away anything from them but ideas, and hopefully friendships.

Would think that this would be a great idea, especially for those that want to learn, or relax in a rural setting. Will take a bit of work in coordination & communications for the one with the farm, but could also mean that you would have some extra help, at least for a little while. Not to mention that it could help spread the word, and Americans can start doing for themselves again.

thestartupman · #8 03/13/11, 04:19 PM

Yes, I am thinking about having a cabin stay at my farm once I move. Breakfast supplies would be supplied, and some garden supplies, along with the essentials, salt, pepper, jellies, butter, syrup, ect.....

AnnieinBC · #9 03/14/11, 11:11 AM

We would love to have a small cabin, built from cordwood, here on our property so that we could offer weekend retreats. Or Woofers could stay there too.

It might be a good idea to go and stay at one first for a weekend, to get some ideas from someone who has BTDT

Morakai · #10 03/14/11, 03:01 PM

Here is a place that is willing to "sell" one of their cabins, as the economy has hit hard for them, but was thinking that if you wanted you could look at the website & maybe talk to them about their set-up.

http://www.miraclefarmbnb.com/

thestartupman · #11 03/17/11, 12:18 PM

I have stayed at a few different places, and have enjoyed getting info from each one. Every one of them is a little different.

Nature Man · #12 03/17/11, 01:05 PM

About 15 years ago while I was backpacking around Australia I stayed at a hostel that was a sheep farm. It was in Tasmania. The owner had 300 sheep that I helped him deworm.

Bill

BetsyK in Mich · #13 03/17/11, 02:34 PM

Attended an Agri-tourism workshop a couple weeks ago. Google it, you'll be surprised what people are doing. I'm kicking around the idea of doing something along these lines here at my farm. Have three bedrooms and bath up stairs so housing is taken care of. I'm thinking there are quite a few people around who have lots of skills to share and many people are looking to learn some self sufficiency skills. Still in the "thinking about it" phase. The workshop certainly threw a bit of wood on the fire. Lots of neat things can be done with very little space, mostly with a lot of folks who live in cities just being out in the open and quiet is a real neat experience. I went to Montana a couple years ago, stayed on a working cattle ranch and drove a team and wagon on a four day drive. I had wanted to learn to drive a team for years and love the west. One of the best experiences of my life. Actually it was the young man running the ranch who told me you can do just about anything with folks (horseback riding, wagon train, farming activities, hikes) and as long as the food is good most will feel as if they have had a good experience.