Hawkins Family Farm, North Manchester, IN

Check out our pizza farm and farm stay map at the bottom of the page! 

In the world of sustainable farming and culinary delights, an intriguing concept emerged from the Midwestern U.S. in the early 2000’s: pizza farms.  Blending the joy of farm-to-table dining with the irresistible allure of pizza, these innovative establishments offer an enchanting experience for food lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.  Although these concept farms have popped up all over the U.S., the Midwest is still considered the  “hub” with more pizza farms than any other region.  

The appeal of pizza farms lies not only in the culinary experience but also in the immersive nature of the outing.  Visiting a pizza farm is a multisensory experience that delights both the palate and the soul.  Enjoying a slice while you stroll through gardens and breathe in the fresh country air provides the every-day city dweller an accessible opportunity to experience the perks of farm life.  Visitors can explore the sprawling farmland, witness the agricultural process firsthand, and even participate in activities such as picking their own vegetables or making their own sausage and cheese!  These interactive experiences create a sense of connection and appreciation for the food on your plate.

At the heart of every pizza farm is the wood-fired oven, imparting an unmistakable smoky flavor to the pizzas. The skilled pizzaiolos expertly craft each pie with ingredients straight from the garden, resulting in the freshest slice you will sink your teeth into.  

Beyond the delectable pies, many pizza farms offer a range of other farm-fresh delicacies. Guests can indulge in salads made with seasonal produce, artisanal bread, farmstead cheeses, and homemade desserts. Some pizza farms even feature live music and local breweries or wineries, complementing the meal with perfectly paired libations and entertainment.

Moreover, pizza farms embrace the principles of sustainability and environmental consciousness. By growing their ingredients on-site, farmers reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation and support the local economy.  Many pizza farms employ organic and regenerative farming practices, further emphasizing their commitment to ecological well-being.

Pizza farms have redefined the farm-to-table concept, combining the joy of fresh ingredients with the universally loved comfort food — pizza. These establishments have captured the hearts and taste buds of food enthusiasts by offering an immersive and sustainable dining experience. By embracing the principles of agritourism and showcasing the beauty of local agriculture, pizza farms have become a unique way to reconnect with nature and savor the flavors of the land. So, the next time you find yourself craving a slice of pizza, consider embarking on a culinary adventure to a pizza farm—a place where freshness and flavor come together in perfect harmony.

We have compiled a list of Farm Stay USA hosts with pizza ovens as well as pizza farms that source their ingredients directly from the farm and/or from local purveyors.  

Take your next vacation on a pizza farm!

FSUSA members:

Pizza Map:

Featured in Yellow: Learn where your pizza comes from and stay a few nights at one of the Farm Stay USA farms for a more private pizza party. These FSUSA members are equipped with pizza ovens and use their own ingredients from the farm and/or local ingredients.  Some of them even offer classes on dough-making and cheese-making so you can learn more about the whole process – a complete farm to table experience! 

Featured in Red: Strictly pizza Farms (not farm stays) that source their ingredients straight from their farm and locally.

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Have you ever thought about how relaxed you feel when you sink your toes into the sand at the beach or when you’re lying on the grass at the park?  It turns out there could be a scientific explanation for this. 

Earthing, also known as grounding, is the practice of involving direct skin contact with the earth’s surface or using conductive materials to connect one’s body to the earth’s electrical field.  While earthing has been practiced for centuries in many cultures, modern science has only recently begun to study its potential health benefits.  In particular, earthing has shown promise in improving mental health. 

Inflammation is well known to play a role in overall cognitive function and a range of mental health disorders including: depression, anxiety and Alzheimer’s disease.  A growing body of peer-reviewed research suggests that earthing can have a positive impact on mood, stress, and anxiety levels by reducing inflammation.  It turns out the Earth’s surface contains an abundance of negatively charged electrons which are believed to neutralize free radicals– subsequently reducing inflammation in the body.  When these electrons are absorbed into the body, they may have a calming and healing effect on the mind as well.   

One study published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health found that earthing can reduce stress levels and improve mood.  Using random assignment, participants were placed into either an earthing or control group.  The earthing group spent 30 minutes sitting or walking barefoot on grass or sand, while the control group did not.  After a 30-minute session, the earthing group showed a significant reduction in cortisol levels – a hormone associated with stress – and an improvement in their overall mood compared to the control group.  

Other studies have incorporated earthing devices to wear passively while sitting or even sleeping.  In another study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, participants with chronic pain experienced a reduction in pain and improved sleep quality after 4 weeks utilizing an earthing mat connected to the Earth’s surface.  

Earthing is certainly not a cure-all, but it can serve as an easy, free, non-invasive therapeutic tool used in conjunction with other treatments to help prevent and treat dysfunction in the body that originates at bioelectrical levels of our physiology.  Although more research is needed to fully grasp how earthing works and its impact on mental health, the evidence so far suggests that this is a practice worth exploring.  

Venturing out into the rural countryside – away from noise pollution and urban environments – often enables us to relax and connect with nature.  Farms offer the ideal atmosphere and often large areas of pasture or forest to practice earthing.  Additionally, soil (not dirt) is richer in organic matter from animal waste and cover cropping.  This organic matter further enhances the benefits of earthing due to its increased conductivity of the Earth’s energy.   

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and staying on a farm could be a helpful step (pun intended) in the right direction towards a more natural approach to improving your emotional and psychological well-being.  From earthing to forest bathing to goat yoga – there is something for everyone to engage in on any farm to help heal our bodies and minds.  Though while you’re barefoot earthing on a farm, remember to watch out for the poop.

Reference and additional studies on earthing included below: 

• Chevalier, G., et al. (2012). Earthing: Health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth’s surface electrons. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 291541. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/291541
• Murray, D. (2021, October 18). What Is Grounding or Earthing? Can It Help Improve Your Health? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding#the-science
• Ghaly, M., & Teplitz, D. (2020). The biologic effects of grounding the human body during sleep as measured by cortisol levels and subjective reporting of sleep, pain, and stress. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 17(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2019-0053
• National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Homeostasis. In NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. Retrieved May 1, 2023, from https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/homeostasis
• Ober, C., Sinatra, S. T., & Zucker, M. (2010). Earthing: The most important health discovery ever? Basic Health Publications, Inc.
• Oschman, J. L. (2007). Can electrons act as antioxidants? A review and commentary. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 13(9), 955-967. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2007.7048
• Oschman, J. L., et al. (2015). The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Journal of Inflammation Research, 8, 83-96. https://doi.org/
• Sharma, H., & Zhang, X. (2019). Effectiveness of Earthing (Grounding) in Promoting Health: A Literature Review. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 16(3), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2018-0030
• Sokal, K., & Sokal, P. (2015). Earthing the human body influences physiologic processes. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 21(5), 301-308. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2014.0023

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