Fifteen years ago, Farm Stay USA launched with a big idea and a small website: to introduce Americans to the joy of staying overnight on a real working farm or ranch. But here’s the twist, when we showed up, we discovered something wonderful: many farm stays were already out there! They just weren’t called that yet. Some went by “farm vacations,” others by “working ranches” or “bed and breakfasts.”

Farm Stay USA gave these pioneers a home, a shared identity, and a place to be found by curious travelers. For others just getting started, we offered a framework, a sense of community, and a cheering section as they opened their gates to guests for the first time.

As part of our 15th anniversary celebration, we’re shining the spotlight on our 21 founding members. That’s a lot of inspiration to pack into one blog, so we’ve split their stories into four digestible parts.

We used a light-touch Q&A format to gather reflections, asking when and why they began hosting, what moments still stand out, what advice they’d give a new farmer-hoster, and how Farm Stay USA made a difference for them. In true farmer fashion, some followed instructions, some plowed their own path. And just like the farms themselves, no two answers are the same.

We’re starting this series with the mentors, those generous trailblazers who were welcoming guests long before “farm stay” was a buzzword. They laid the groundwork for everything that followed.

East Hill Farm in Troy NH started hosting guests in the mid 1940s. At the time it was a small dairy farm and the owner decided to add some lodging for extra income. He expanded the business over the years, adding animals and amenities until the farm became a year-round family resort. In the 1970s, the next generation took over the farm, adding educational aspects including raising rare breed animals, cow and goat milking for guests, horseback riding, and butter and cheese making workshops. Currently Jennifer Adams and her siblings, part of the 4th generation, run the farm. Generations run in guests as well with some families having come to the farm for over 50 years! As for favorite experience, Jen runs a Farm School program where the kids spend 3 days and 2 nights working with the animals and the farmers. She loves to watch them move through the steps from being tentative to confident and curious, knowing she is sending them home with a better understanding of what it takes to be a farmer. When it comes to Farmstay, the site gave the farm a place to list nationally and the opportunity within its community to be a mentor to others.

Liberty Hill Farm, run by Beth and Bob Kennett, is located in Rochester VT and has been a pioneer in the agritourism movement since opening its doors to guests in 1984. Their multi-decades-long commitment to sustainability was recognized in 2008 when the farm was designated as Vermont’s first certified Green Agritourism Enterprise. Guests from around the world have stayed at this 120-head dairy that is part of the Cabot Creamery Co-op. Beth cooks breakfast and dinner for guests, shared around the farm house table. At this point she counts repeat guests in generations and in friendships. With tours on top of stays, guests can watch the milking process and even try their hand at manual milking. Feeding the calves, playing in the hayloft, walking in the fields, and in fall visits for the leaf change are all part of the experience. Beth’s suggestions for farms considering agritourism: look at what you like to do and make sure hospitality can fit into your farming schedule. Break up the responsibilities so the load does not become too much and, if you are cooking, stick with your favorite recipes. For the Kennetts, Farm Stay USA was a place to be recognized as the quintessential New England farm and the barn was the masthead of the site for many years.

Grace Note Farm in Pascoag RI, also known as the Benjamin Smith homestead farm c. 1730, is nestled in the northwest corner of Rhode Island adjacent to the George Washington Management area. It is a horse farm and riders can enjoy over six hours of riding on wide, mostly sandy trails that connect to Connecticut and Massachusetts. The inn opened in 2001 after Virginia built stalls for guest horses. Two factors helped with this decision: Virginia’s son announced the farm should pay for itself and two guests from a horse club who just happened to pull into the driveway suggested she become a B&B. Since opening, Virginia has found that both grownups and kids love to wash the horses and, in terms of the children, they love the freedom to roam, to collect eggs with her in the morning, and to ride beside her in her 4×4. She would advise new farm stay operators to make sure they have a private space of their own to retreat to; that guests are strangers until  they have completed their first visit; and that the Internet is best for marketing. As far as Farmstay, she felt it gave her national exposure and credibility as a working farm with lodging, not just a vacation rental. Now in her 80s, Virginia is about to close the barn door on guests but the experience has been worth the effort for the people she has met and the lives she has touched.

Hull-O Farms in Durham NY has been in the Hull family since its 1779 post-Revolutionary War founding. The farm has been recognized and designated by New York State as a National Bicentennial Farm. Sherry and her husband, Frank, started hosting guests in June 1994. Back then they were milking 80 cows and struggling financially. They decided, encouraged by a friend, to offer a farm “vacation” option in a cottage that stood on the farm grounds. Another friend who worked for a cable station on Long Island ran a free ad for them about this new vacation opportunity. Within 30 minutes of the ad running, the phone started ringing. Sherry has never looked back. While Sherry handles the hospitality end, farmer Frank oversees guests interaction on the farm. Top of these is collecting eggs, hand-milking the cows, playing with the barn cats, and enjoying s’mores and music around the campfire. Their advice to new farm stay hosts: welcoming visitors can be a lot of work but also incredibly rewarding. You must genuinely love people and be okay with sharing your personal space, so be flexible and do your due diligence about all the ins and outs of a farm stay. As for a particularly memorable experience, three years after the farm stay opened, a very excited 10-year-old boy ran into Sherry’s kitchen and said with great enthusiasm “Ms Sherry, this may just be the best day of my life.” In the end, Farm Stay USA helped to raise awareness about the novelty of a farm vacation by adding more farms into the travel niche,  even acting as a resource for other options Sherry could point to when they were full.

Labour of Love Landscaping and Nurserv, owned by Kate  Glover started hosting guests in 1985. Her nursery in Glover VT is known as a “local destination”, offering more than the typical small nursery with the addition of display gardens, tours, lodging in a restored 1800’s Greek Revival home, and a gift and craft shop that includes 30 varieties of homemade jams and jellies (from local fruits) and handwoven apparel and home items. Almost on the Canadian border, the farm routinely hosts international visitors. Not your traditional ‘farm’, Kate, the owner, grower and designer, takes the idea of growing plants and puts them in a retail setting so they can go home with you, while offering ideas for your own landscaping. Landscaping and growing is all there in farming, just by a different name. When it comes to advice for new farms starting out, Kate focuses on making her place look like somewhere she would like to visit and of all her “chores” she enjoys answering questions from visitors. One of her favorite visits was from a 6-year-old who told his parents to let him stay at the nursery because he liked it better than home! Just as many come across the border as international travelers, so Farm Stay USA sends Kate visitors from far and wide to share her little piece of heaven.

These early hosts were the quiet pioneers, the ones offering fresh eggs with their morning coffee and handing over pitchforks to eager guests long before “farm stay” had a name. Their creativity, grit, and love of sharing farm life set the stage for everything that’s followed. Without them, there would be no Farm Stay USA. We’re endlessly grateful they opened their barn doors and hearts, giving this movement its roots.

We hope you’ll stick with us in the weeks ahead as we continue this celebratory journey.

Next up: a few of our amazing ranches who’ve been with us from the start, where the stars are big, the hats are wide, and the hospitality is just as heartfelt.

(Header photo courtesy of East Hill Farm NH)

The post 15 Years of Farm Stay USA: Celebrating Our Roots and Honoring the Founders Who Helped Cultivate a Movement appeared first on Farmstay.

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at milking a cow? You’re thinking, “How hard could it be?” Actually it’s not as easy as it looks but these farms want to give you a chance to dispel the romance and try for yourself. It’s where nostalgia and novelty overlap.

1. Dogwood Hills Guest Farm – Arkansas

Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, Dogwood Hills Guest Farm provides a serene setting with a variety of activities, including cow milking. Guests can stay in a comfortable three-bedroom cottage that accommodates up to eight people. The farm offers many engaging activities such as dairy tours, egg gathering, and gardening. Guests can also enjoy farm-fresh meals prepared with local ingredients, including raw milk and farm-fresh eggs​ (Farmstay)​.

2. Sanctuary Farm Montana – Montana

Sanctuary Farm Montana, located in Alberton, offers a peaceful retreat with no cell phone coverage, internet, or cable TV, allowing guests to truly unwind. Visitors can stay in a cozy log cabin or an all-season yurt, both offering unique and comfortable accommodations. The farm provides opportunities to participate in farm activities like milking goats and feeding chickens. Guests can also enjoy the beautiful surroundings, including a creek and adjacent National Forest​ (Farmstay)​.

3. Fat Sheep Farm and Cabins – Vermont

Fat Sheep Farm & Cabins, located in Hartland, Vermont, offers a unique farm stay experience where guests can immerse themselves in farm life. There are five comfortable cabins available to stay overnight. Visitors can participate in daily animal chores such as feeding and milking sheep, feeding chickens, and collecting eggs. Seasonal activities include socializing with lambs in the spring and enjoying workshops on cheese and bread making (Farmstay)​.

4. Reves de Moutons – California

Rêves de Moutons, located in the picturesque Paso Robles wine country, offers a luxurious farm stay experience. Guests can enjoy staying in retro-style campers or rooms in the farmhouse. The farm focuses on sheep and goat farming, producing milk, cheese, meat, and wool. Visitors can participate in daily farm tours and meet the animals, with opportunities for hands-on experiences like feeding and milking (Farmstay).

5. New Day Dairy – Iowa

New Day Dairy Guest Barn in Clarksville, Iowa, offers a unique farm stay experience where guests can immerse themselves in the daily life of a working dairy farm. The guest barn provides 24/7 views of 150 cows through large loft windows, allowing visitors to watch and interact with the cows from the comfort of their accommodations. Guests can even take the “Be a Dairy Farmer” challenge and participate in an introductory and farewell tour of the barn (Farmstay).

If these states aren’t on your travel list, use the filter option when you search on Farmstay for all the farms offering “Milking” .  Remember, not all farms have dairy animals, but there’s a whole host of other activities that allow you to fully immerse yourself in farm life.

Whether you’re looking to enjoy the beauty of the Ozarks, the tranquility of rural Vermont, or the scenic vistas of Montana, it’s time to come home with some good farm stories to regale your friends…and it might just be your adventures as a milkmaid!

(cover photo courtesy of Hull-o Farms, New York)

The post These farmers will teach you how to milk a cow, a sheep or a goat appeared first on Farmstay.

It can be difficult to say goodbye to your new “farm family” when vacation is over. You want to hang on to that feeling – the connection and quietude.

Farmers are sharing their daily lives with increasing frequency via social media, and one of our favorite ways to see what they’re up to is to follow on Instagram. Here, in no particular order, are six more farms or ranches (with farm stays) to follow on Instagram right now!

1. ABC Acres in Hamilton, Montana

ABC Acres uses their Instagram feed to show off their gorgeous land, from endless skies and mountain vistas, right down to the earthworms in the pasture and everything between the two.

See their profile on Farm Stay USA: ABC Acres

2. Blind Buck Valley Farmstead in Salem, New York

Blind Buck Valley Farmstead provides lots of little glimpses into life on their farm, like their beautiful location, the 18th century farmhouse accommodations, chickens and eggs, and happy kids (human and goat).

See their profile on Farm Stay USA: Blind Buck Valley Farmstead

3. Hillside Homestead in Suttons Bay, Michigan

Food historian Susan Odom has created something unique at Hillside Homestead. Follow along on Instagram for photos of farm animals, woodstove cooking (and bread baking!), and projects around the farm.

See their profile on Farm Stay USA: Hillside Homestead

4. Dogwood Hills Guest Farm in Harriet, Arkansas

Here’s a farm that’s proud of their state – check out one of the hashtags they use, #wonderfularkansas. Dogwood Hills shares a mix of photos from around the farm and various activities relating to agritourism.

See their profile on Farm Stay USA: Dogwood Hills Guest Farm

5. The Inn at East Hill Farm in Troy, New Hampshire

East Hill Farm has a long and fascinating history in New Hampshire. Of all the farm stays listed here at Farm Stay USA, they can accommodate the most guests (140) and their inn has been a destination for families since cottages were built after World War II. Their photos provide a glimpse of activities and inquisitive animals.

See their profile on Farm Stay USA: The Inn at East Hill Farm

6. Serenity Sheep Farm Stay in Belgrade, Montana

Another one from #bigskycountry! We love the photos of the covered wagon guest accommodations, but all the shots of animals and wool-related activities are equally enjoyable.

See their profile on Farm Stay USA: Serenity Sheep Farm Stay

Hope you’ve discovered some new favorites here!

Also, be sure to follow Farm Stay USA on Instagram. We mostly re-gram from our farm stay members, so it’s a great way to find new places to add to your must-visit list.

The post Six (More) Farm Stays to Follow on Instagram Right Now appeared first on Farmstay.

Farmers are sharing their daily lives with increasing frequency via social media, and one of our favorite ways to see what they’re up to is to follow on Instagram. Here, in no particular order, are six farms (with farm stays) to follow on Instagram right now!

1. Toddy Pond Farm in Monroe, Maine

Sharing a mix of photos from animals, to farm projects, to products available for sale (dying to try their yogurt!), Toddy Pond Farm gives you a great glimpse into their diversified family farm and micro dairy.

See their listing on Farm Stay USA: Toddy Pond Farm

2. Rancho Dos Amantes in Paso Robles, California

This one is – so far – for all the wedding daydreamers out there. The Instagrammers at this beautiful central California wine country farm have focused their lenses on the happy couples and pastoral ambiance of farm stay weddings.

Since writing this post, Rancho Dos Amantes has gone up for sale and is not hosting farm stays.

3. Stillwaters Farm in Henderson, Tennessee

Follow along with farm stay host Valeria as she furnishes an Airstream glamping trailer, builds and furnishes a bath house for guests, or makes soap for her on-farm shop. Also making appearances are the livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) and the gorgeous Tennessee farm scenery.

See their listing on Farm Stay USA: Stillwaters Farm

4. The Inn at Crippen Creek Farm in Skamokawa, Washington

The photos posted on this Instagram account are alllllll about the food. Hosts Don and Kitty Speranza are professional chefs who now operate a 15 acre working farm. Holy cannoli!

See their Farm Stay USA listing: The Inn at Crippen Creek Farm

5. Inn at Valley Farms in Walpole, New Hampshire

The Inn at Valley Farms posts a little bit of everything. Weddings, farm animals, scenery, mushrooms. You’ll easily experience every season on this working organic farm via Instagram.

See their Farm Stay USA listing: Inn at Valley Farms

6. Stony Creek Farmstead in Walton, New York

“Let your family free range” is the hashtag you’ll find on many of the photos from Stony Creek Farmstead. The animals aren’t the only ones who get to free-range! Here you’ll find farm stay guests helping out with the chores, photos of the “plush-rustic” platform tents, farm hands, barn kitties, and more.

See their Farm Stay USA listing: Stony Creek Farmstead

This is a start, but by no means the only farm stays on Instagram. We’ll definitely have another post coming up soon, with even more accounts to follow! Meanwhile, make sure you also follow Farm Stay USA on Instagram! We mostly re-gram from our farm stay members, so it’s a great way to find new places to add to your must-visit lists.

The post Six Farm Stays to Follow on Instagram appeared first on Farmstay.

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.

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!

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.

The post Thanksgiving on the Farm appeared first on Farmstay.

Our third Farm Stay Story was sent to us by Alison Schwartz, who is a regular visitor to East Hill Farm in Troy, New Hampshire.

One of our favorite things to do at East Hill Farm is see Jason Purdy perform his magic show. I have seen Jason every year for as long as I can remember. My mom runs a summer camp, and she hires him to perform at the camp every year. Last summer, she told me a funny story about two of my campers, Alana and Darren. Their parents took them to East Hill Farm for the first time, and when they saw Jason’s show, they didn’t raise their hands when he asked who was seeing the Magic of Jason Purdy for the first time. Their parents told them to raise their hands, and they explained that they weren’t seeing Jason for the first time; they knew him from camp. So I wasn’t surprised when I went into the dining hall last December and saw their family there! My family goes to East Hill Farm every year for a weekend in the summer, and for a week right after Christmas. Even though I am 22 years old now, the chickens, goats, and sheep have not lost their appeal. I look forward to feeding them and petting them. In the summer, I spend hours outside with the animals. In the winter, I bundle up in my winter coat and feed the animals a couple of times every day.

What makes winter at the farm special is hanging out with old friends in the living room, in front of the fireplace, knitting and crocheting. I invited Alana to hang out with us, too. She is an avid knitter, and I was proud to show her my knitting. I was working on a blanket and a hat. I asked Alana to teach me how to make a pom-pom for the hat, and she got a fork from the dining room and showed me how to make a pom-pom using a fork!

Every year at East Hill Farm is special in its own way. December 2012 was special because in the deepest part of winter, I saw two of my favorite kids from summer camp.

(Photos courtesy East Hill Farm, words copyright Alison Schwartz)

The post Farm Stay Story – The Inn at East Hill Farm appeared first on Farmstay.

1. Could you tell us a bit about East Hill Farm?

JM: The Inn at East Hill Farm offers a vacation atmosphere coupled with a unique farm-oriented educational experience. Year round activities for the whole family include indoor and outdoor swimming, hiking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, cow milking, egg collecting, hay and sleigh rides, horseback riding and a children’s recreation program. Three home-cooked family style meals are served daily.

2. Your farm has so many different programs … you host farm vacations, senior programs, sleigh rides, dances, and more. How do you do it all? And how does it all fit together?

JM: East Hill Farm does offer many experiences. At the heart of it all we are a family vacation resort with a working farm. For many years we have offered families a relaxing vacation on the farm. Guests are encouraged to interact with the animals and farmers as much as they like. The cows and goats need to be milked each day and eggs need to be collected. We have horseback riding lessons and trail rides as well as wagon rides and sleigh rides.

Over the years we have expanded our offerings in order to remain viable and to stay open all year long. We have developed ways to draw visitors through a variety of programs. Whether someone is coming for an all-inclusive resort vacation, a senior bus tour, a dance weekend, farm school or a business conference, everyone is encouraged to experience part of farm life.

3. You just started a new program called the Farm School Program. Could you tell us about it? What inspired you to start the program?

JM: East Hill Farm School gives middle school students, grades 5-8, with a meaningful, hands-on farm experience. Students will join the East Hill Farm farmers and naturalists for a 3-day program where students will play an integral role in running our farm.

On our 150 acres, we raise heritage breed cows, goats, sheep and pigs along with horses, chickens and other farm animals. Through our school program, students will help us run the farm, from milking the cows to fixing fences to helping manage the fields and surrounding woodlands. By caring for the animals and gaining a stronger appreciation for environmental stewardship, the farm will begin to feel like a home away from home. Schools can customize the program by choosing from a variety of workshops that best align with their curriculum or students’ interests.

4. What has been the response to the Farm School Program so far?

JM: We have had positive feedback from the schools that have visited us. The students enjoy working on the farm and learning about farm life. The students have participated in projects that have improved the farm, such as helping to create new signs for various barns and helping with seeding the fields.

5. Are there other programs like this at other farms that you know of?

JM: The Farm School in Athol, MA has a similar program. They have been providing farm-based education for children and adults for years. We continue to network with and learn from other farmers and programs and have recently joined the Farm-Based Education Association. www.farmbasededucation.org

6. Which of your programs would you recommend most to other farms looking to diversify?

JM: I think anything farmers can do to expand on educational opportunities is wonderful. There is a trend toward reconnecting with our food supply and eating locally-grown produce and meats. Building connections with local schools and organizations to provide food products and settings for place based education are also important. It is wonderful for students to participate in farm based education right at their local farms!

The post Interview: The Inn at East Hill Farm – Year-round Farm Fun Plus A New Farm School Program Just for Kids appeared first on Farmstay.