A Farmer’s Spring – in Photos

Scottie Jones — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 22:29:45 +0000

We get March coming in like a lion, but April was supposed to be sweet like a lamb. Unpredictable weather across the country has our farmers and ranchers picking up lambs freezing out in the fields one day and letting the cows out on fresh grass the next. It’s enough to make a farmer crazy! That, and the promise of spring.

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. ~ Margaret Atwood

Baby piglets in snow at East Hill Farm, Vermont

Of course, all that weather means different things across the country. While there’s snow in the northern states, the hillsides are covered in blankets of flowers in southern California because of the winter rain. Snapping turtles are coming out of the mud in North Carolina, while chicks are hatching everywhere.

Spring flowers at Lazy Arrow Camatta Ranch, California

We thought a photo journey around the country from our farm stay members’ Instagram and Facebook pages might give a truer picture of springtime on the farm. As they say in almost every state, as if it is their private truth, just wait a moment and the weather will change. May we present spring!

Lambs in the snow, Grand View Farm’s Instagram, Vermont

Doe and kids, Bonne Terre Farm’s Instagram, Louisiana

Snapping turtles coming out of the mud at On the Windfall, North Carolina

Baby chicks have arrived at Prairie Wind Farm, Texas

Donkey, blossoms, and swans, oh my! Dogwood Hills Farm, Arkansas

Buffalo and calf at Blisswood Farm B&B, Texas

Irises mean spring at Stillwaters Farm, Tennessee

Vineyard in spring, Beltane Ranch, California

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Kids at play, Leaping Lamb Farm, Oregon

A wizard must have passed this way
Since—was it only yesterday?
Then all was bare, and now, behold,
A hundred cups of living gold!
~Emma C. Dowd, “Daffodil and Crocus,” in Country Life in America: A Magazine for the Home-maker, the Vacation-seeker, the Gardener, the Farmer, the Nature-teacher, the Naturalist, April 1902.

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Six Farm Stays to Follow on Instagram

Scottie Jones — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0000

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 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.

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