Staying on a Working Farm – A Family Farm Vacation

What is there to do if you are feeling the need to get away, but you are not quite ready to go away?  Are you feeling the call of nature? Feeling nostalgic for a simpler time? It might be the perfect time for a farm stay!  Whether you call it a farm vacation, a farm stay vacation, or a farm getaway, staying on a working farm will give your family the break from everyday life you need.

When the children are still very young, sometimes big vacations just don’t seem feasible.   A family farm stay vacation is a chance to get away from it all, in a quieter environment. There are no crowds of tourists, small spaces, or long hours in public transportation.  If you never knew that staying on a working farm is an option, it is not surprising. Many people don’t!

Tourism farms are not a new thing, and if you travel often you may have run into them. Sheep farms in Ireland and vineyards in France or Italy are often popular attractions, while rice paddies and tea farms call to visitors in Asia, and coffee plantations and tropical nut farms pull visitors on tropical islands.  But, in the United States, farms do not typically attract the types of visitors they do in other countries.  Most of us drive past them every day, but never consider staying on a working farm as a travel or adventure option.

Perhaps that is because American farms are viewed as sites of mass production.  They don’t have the quaintness or the charm of farms in countries around the world.  But even on American farms life still abounds with elements of simplicity, daily chores, tending animals, using the fruits of one’s endeavors to put food on the table. Farm getaways are both relaxing and adventurous, both fun, and a learning experience.

My daughter-in-law Brittany dreams of owning a farm someday, and living off of the land.  That made taking her and the grandchildren on a brief farm stay vacation a perfect choice for a family getaway. We opted to do a simple weekend farm getaway in Illinois, our home state.  We chose The Country Experience, in the far northwest corner of Illinois. 

Planning Your Family Farm Vacation

I will tell you all about our fun on our farm experience, so you have an idea of what staying on a working farm is like, and if it would be right for your family. Then I will share the things you need to consider to planning your family farm stay, including:

• Types of Farms
• Farm Stay Lodging Options
• Eating Arrangements
• Farm Activities
• Amenities
• What to Pack

Our Family Farm Stay – at The Country Experience

The Country Experience was once the family farm of the Amstutz family.  Although work called them to the city, they were not ready to leave their farm behind.  After much consideration, they realized the farm could be their legacy, a way to give back to the community, and to help young people across the Midwest.  Soon, the summer camp program was launched.  

Summer camp allows children between the ages of 7 and 12 to spend Monday to Friday on the farm.  They participate in farm chores, and other activities throughout the day, with all of the learning and team building that comes from a stay on a working farm, and they get an ample amount of free time as well.  Youngsters stay in small cabins that sleep up to 10, and gather in the barn for meals together. 

After the success, and the positive feedback from campers and their families, the idea of family farm stays came up.  A farm weekend allows younger children to have a farm experience, and gives parents an opportunity to participate, or relax.  Now that they have become a bit more popular, and the reputation of The Country Experience has grown, many weekends are booked to capacity. 

Because of the CoVid restrictions in 2020, some things were changed. Capacities were adjusted, as were sanitation practices. The Country Experience also opened their up to family farm stays from Monday to Friday, allowing a longer time to get the vibe of farm life.  Even though those days are thankfully past, many of those protocols remain in place.

Check their booking calendar to reserve a weekend farm getaway. To set up a Monday to Friday farm experience, call directly at 312-852-7400.

Be assured that The Country Experience stays current on all safety regulations, and takes every precaution. This includes cleaning protocols for cabins and common areas. The use of masks and social distancing., are utilized when in accordance with state and/or local regulatins. For more information, see their website.

The Cabins 

There are 5 single room cabins at The Country Experience, each large enough to sleep up to 10, so the whole family can stay together.  It is one large room with a variety of bed options. 

There were 6 of us, my son Doug and his wife Brittany, the grandchildren, Cash, Jaxon, and little Stormy, and myself.  We were outfitted with a full size bed for mom and dad, and 2 sets of bunks for the rest of us.  Each of the beds was covered with beautiful hand made quilts, which added a particular charm for me.  

There was also a book shelf, a tiny table and chair, and a very efficient air conditioner.  The little table was set up with iced water, a bowl of fruit, and fresh baked muffins.  The shelf was filled with a number of books on farming, homesteading, and other simpler life kinds of topics, such as natural herb remedies.  Believe it or not, all 3 of us adults found a book of interest during our stay, and spent a bit of time reading.  

Despite all of the things in our cabin, there was still plenty of space for all of us, and for stormy to run around.  We brought our own large cooler, as well as each of our bags. We were all comfortable during our farm getaway, and none of us felt crowded.  

It bears note that the cabins do not have plumbing or rest rooms.  So it is necessary to go to the barn to use the bathroom.  We did not find this discouraging, but we were glad we brought our slippers and a flashlight!

The Barn

The barn at The Country Experience is the primary common area.  It consists of a large open space with area rugs and wood flooring. There is built in benching along the walls, along with several full size tables to accommodate each visiting family separately for meals. The small shelf near the doorway was filled with a variety of small toys and board games, which the kids did get into.  Had we have had the mishap of rain, a family board game would have saved the day.

It was a very simple space, that felt really rustic as it should, and everyone seemed to feel at home in the barn. There was even a bit of decor, with a few pictures on the shelves, a few cowboy hats, and strings of lights hanging overhead. Most importantly, there was a disco ball.  The boys would be upset if I didn’t mention that!

Off to the side there are two hallways.  One leads to 3 full sized and fully equipped rest rooms with toilets, sinks, showers, and stepping stools for little ones.  The other hall leads to several individual private showers, along with a sink and mirror for grooming.  There were even large bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash available for those who had forgotten their own.

The Meals

The Country Experience includes both breakfast and dinner, eaten family style at the tables in the barn.  Prior to our arrival the manager had contacted me to discuss any special needs we may have. Jaxon has extensive allergies.  The menu was planned with all of them in mind. The only remaining concern was milk in the morning, and they provided him with his own pitcher of goat’s milk.  

The chef was outstanding, preparing meals with farm fresh ingredients, and simplicity, with an upscale flare.  Our first dinner was butterflied pork chops, far thicker than any we would ever find at a store, accompanied by fresh bread, salad, potatoes, grilled asparagus, and a roasted corn salad that we still hope to find a recipe for.  Desert was fresh berry crisp.  

The second night we ate on the back patio, making woodfired pizzas in a hand-crafted outdoor oven. The children were allowed to put on their own toppings, which is how we got those big dollops of fresh mozzarella.

As for breakfast, I will just say there is nothing in the world that compares to farm fresh bacon.  

The Activities (or The Daily Chores)

For us, the daily chores were the highlight of staying on a working farm.  The Country Experience maintains a few fruit trees, a wooded area, a small fish pond, and more importantly animals.  There are chickens, guineas, rabbits, goats, piglets, and sheep. They have even added some donkeys, but they were not there during our farm experience.   

After breakfast each day everyone who wants to participate goes out to do chores.  The first stop is the coops that house both chickens and guineas.  The routine is to check for eggs, basic clean up, empty any old food and water, and refill with fresh.  The birds pretty much have the run of the farm, as the coops are left open during daylight hours.  For the most part though, many of the females and chicks stayed in their pens off to the side and didn’t seem too disturbed by the visiting children.  

Then we took the short walk down the lane to the rabbit hutches.  There are several large hutches containing adult rabbits of every color, as well as a few babies.  The routine is the same.  Basic clean up is done, and then new food and water are provided.  This is exciting for the older children as they get to reach into the hutches and touch the rabbits during this process.  

Then we moved back to an animal barn and equipment shed that is near our cabins.  Some of the children and their farm guides go to the barn, where the female goats and their babies are, and care for them. 

Others go to the equipment shed, where the roosters are gathering.  Although we noted that most of the female chickens stay in the coop, but not all.  The more wayward females, and the roosters go all over the place.  Despite their wanton ways, they also needed food.  Feeding them was quite entertaining, as you can see in the video.

After that, it was a couple projects for the bigger children.  Cash and Jaxon, being 11 and 7, both qualified for these chores.  First the male goats needed to be fed, so we headed to the fenced pasture where they are kept.  They are quite comfortable around people, rather friendly, and always hungry. 

I stayed on the outside of the fence and let the boys have the fun.  I think they made some new friends that morning. Cash was able to give one of them a big hug.  He looked pretty happy doing so!

Afterwards, it was on to the piglets.  This time dad went along instead of me.  It is a good thing we had the foresight to bring along our mud boots.  They got to go inside to the tiny little barn on the side of the pig enclosure, and the piglets were waiting to be fed.  Although not as overtly friendly as the goats, they did not shy away from the boys. 

Free Time

After the conclusion of the morning chores, we had the afternoon free.  There are plenty of things to do on the farm, from a walk in the woods, aiding the workers, board games in the barn, and the fishing pond.  There is also wifi, for those who cannot get completely away from work. 

The village of Elizabeth is a short 2 block walk away.  Believe it or not, this tiny little village has a host of things to do, including a historic fort from the Black Hawk War, a Victorian era tour home, a historic railroad and depot museum, a sweet shop, a boutique shop, 2 resale shops, and a brewery.  There is even a planetary space museum!  

We decided to spend our afternoon visiting nearby Galena, and President Ulysses S Grant’s home.  Just a 20 minute drive through some of the most scenic sections of Illinois, known as the Driftless Region, lies what is known as one of the prettiest cities in the US.  Visiting Galena is like stepping back in time, and we enjoyed every moment of it.  

After Dinner Hours

After dinner in the barn our first night, the guys enjoyed taking advantage of the fishing pond on the farm.  The Country Experience maintains a supply of fishing poles and a variety of tackle for free use on the pond.  However, we brought our own poles.  As you can see, they made good use of them. 

After diner on our second night, we made S’mores over a bonfire. Then most of the adults relaxed and socialized in the glow of the fire and light strings, some with a beer or bottle of wine. The children enjoyed playing in the long grassy lawn, which included attempts to roll down the slope.

 

Considerations for Choosing Your Farm Stay Vacation

Types of Farms

American Farms may not attract large crowds of visitors, but there are dozens farms in the United States that welcome visitors, whether for a few hours of experience, a family farm stay weekend, or a farm vacation.  These stays envelope visitors into the fold of daily farm life during the tenure of their stay. Although they are not all inclusive, you can start looking for a family farm stay this map at Farm Stay US, or on this map at Farm Stay Planet.

Until I started researching for our own farm getaway, I had no idea how many amazing farm stays existed all across the US.  There are at least a dozen opportunities for staying on a working farm in the Midwestern states!  Whether you live in Savannah or Santa Cruz, the odds are there is a farm getaway option with a few hours drive.

The variance of climates and ecology across the United States results in numerous different types of farms, with a variety of crops and livestock.  While not every type of farm has offerings for travelers, there are definitely plenty of choices.  If you want to learn how maple syrup is collected, there is a farm vacation option. If you want to see a cranberry harvest, there are choices. Other choices include orchards and cider pressing, olives and olive oil pressing, vineyards and wineries, herb gardens, vegetable gardens, blueberries, cherries, and even formal rose gardens.

Likewise, there are several different types of livestock options to experience when staying on a working farm in the United States. Chickens and goats are very common, and they are quite guest friendly. Sheep, small pigs, and rabbits are not quite as common, but are still found on many guest farms. Some farms are more specialized, such as dairy farms with dairy cows, ranches with beef cows, and stables which raise both thoroughbred and riding horses. If you want more unique experiences, there are even farm stays that have alpacas, peacocks, and lemurs.

The truth is, we were not too picky about the type of farm we were going to for our first farm experience, as long as there were animals that we could get to know. But it is good to know that if we do ever want a specific experience, there are many choices.

Farm Stay Lodging Options

Farmstays across the United States offer a number of different lodging options.  While some visitors may be satisfied with all of them, others may want something very specific.  

Farm House Stays

In some cases, the lodging of a farm vacation is offered within the farmhouse itself.  This set up is rather similar to a bed and breakfast, where everyone comes to breakfast together before embarking upon the day.  This option will suit those who truly want to experience what it was like to be a part of the farming family, and who do not need a high element of privacy.

Cabins

Many farms that have taken on offering weekends or full family farm stays have had cabins built on the farmland.  Cabins can vary from full resort style cabins with multiple rooms, to single room cabins with outdoor facilities.  This is a good choice for families who want to travel with particular comfort elements, or need some privacy during their down times.  

Trailers

Trailers are an up and coming trend for farm vacations, often using old style pull behind trailers that sleep a single family.  An advantage is that the trailers almost always include kitchen facilities to make preparing meals easy, if they are not included in your stay.  A trailer is a bit more compact than a cabin, but still allows room for personal comfort items, and privacy.  

Glamping

A trend that has taken hold in farm getaways is the use of luxury tents, which in essence bring the comforts of inside outdoors.  Typically these tents are outfitted with real beds, chairs, and sometimes even kitchen appliances.  This option can tick two boxes off on your bucket list at one time, having a farmstay vacation, and a glamping experience.

Camping

Camping is another choice, although one that is not quite as common among farm experiences, but it is also generally the least expensive.  In most cases, guests bring their own tents to camp out in specific locations on the farm.  Again, this type of stay accomplishes two goals at once, providing a typical “roughing it” experience, along with the daily activities of farm life.  

Meal Arrangements

Full meal service

Farms that truly strive to recreate the feeling of real life often provide all three meals on their farm vacations, eaten family style.  Eating together enables guests to develop a camaraderie as they discuss the accomplishments and challenges of their farm duties.  Closely related is the breakfast and dinner option, with guests providing their own lunch choices.

Breakfast only

Breakfast only is a very common meal option for farm vacations that offer lodging that is outfitted with kitchen appliances.  As in any other bed and breakfast experience, all guests gather together for the breakfast meal.  Other meals are then at the guests discretion.  If full day activities are not planned, driving to the nearest town for a restaurant meal is possible.  Typically guests prefer to stay in the tranquility of the farm, and bring along picnic supplies, or cook in their kitchens.  

Prepare Your Own

Although not nearly so common as other options, there are farm stays that do not offer meals.  This definitely diminishes the options for building relationships among guests, but in some ways it does give a more realistic experience of staying on a working farm. Often these locations will have a small store where country fresh produce can be purchased for your meals.  If you do consider a farmstay that does not provide meals, make sure to compare prices, as it should be less than other options.  

Farm Experience Daily Activity Options

Morning Chores

Almost every place that offers staying on a working farm has some form of morning chores.  These are the activities that have to be completed for the maintenance of the farm, whether there are guests or not.  If it is an animal farm, this will include feeding the animals.  If it is a plant farm, it may include weeding, watering, or harvesting the crops.  

Hiking and Exploration

Many farm have wooded areas on the farmland.  Hiking and exploring the forest is often offered as a free time activity on many farm vacations, and in some cases, guided hikes may be offered.  

Fishing

Because of the abundance of land, some farms have ponds or lakes that are kept stocked with fish on site.  In the event that they do, some also keep a supply of fishing poles, and simple tackle that can be used to pass time near the water.  If you are a serious fisherman, you may want to bring along a bit of your own supplies, as those that are used by less experienced guests can end up being not quite as fluently usable as you are accustomed to.

Horseback Riding

Horses are not extremely common on farm stay vacations, and if you are seeking a vacation with a lot of riding opportunities, you may want to consider a dude ranch or guest ranch, rather than a farm stay.  Nonetheless, some farm stays do have horses, and guided rides are a part of the offered activities.  

Game Rooms

Another relatively common thing is a supply of old fashioned board games in a common room.  While obviously not exactly a typical farm activity, a game room does offer a simpler form of recreation, and allows for some competitive fun on your farm vacation, away from a screen.

Possible Farm Vacation Amenities

Some family farm stays may not have many amenities, and for us, that was just fine.  We were entirely interested in the simplicity of outdoor living, daily chores, and interacting with the animals.  However, in some cases, farm stays go far beyond those regular lifestyle activities.  

Free Wi-fi

For us, one of the reasons we chose a farm getaway was to get all of us, at all ages, off of the screen.  We were not looking for wi-fi.  But, for those that must stay up with business even while they are away, some farm stays offer free wi-fi as an amenity.  (Although The Country Experience does have wi-fi.)

Classes

This surprised me a bit, but a large percentage of the locations offering farm vacations also offer a number of classes, depending on the season. These classes are generally very farm specific, but can range from gardening and canning, jelly making, cooking, homesteading, animal care, herbal cures, or horseback riding. They are also classes offered which are unique to the skill set of farmers themselves, ranging from quilting and knitting, to painting and photography, and even to stargazing and exploration.

Spa Services

Another thing that we were not looking for, but one that is occasionally offered with a farm getaway, is spa services.  This can range from jacuzzi tubs in cabins, to larger hot tubs in the commons area.  At times, even massage services are offered.  

Free Time

While this may not sound like an amenity, for those of us that work 12 hour days, free time is a huge benefit of some farm stay vacations.  We did not want a day that was jam-packed with planned activities.  We wanted some free time to rest, or get out and explore the nearby area on our own.  

What to Pack for Staying on a Working Farm

The truth is, you probably don’t have to get anything.  But double-check, just in case.

You will want clothes that you are not worried about going through some rough experiences, that are a bit rugged.  Jeans and tee-shirts are great, with a hoodie for cool mornings and evenings.   You are going to get a little dirty staying on a working farm!

If you plan your farm stay vacation during cooler months, remember that you will spend a lot of time outdoors. Be sure to bring warmer outer wear, and layers. If you do plan to go into town or to a restaurant during your farm vacation, don’t forget to bring along along suitable clothing.

For your feet, we suggest work boots for doing chores and other activities, and regular gym shoes for the rest of the day. We also needed slippers, since we had to walk to the barn to use the bathroom and shower, and sleepwear that was suitable to be seen in.  Most of us wore large tee shirts and leggings or sweatpants.  

With that said, a flashlight is a must.  Even if you don’t walk to the bathroom, you may want to slip out at night anyway.   An umbrella is a good idea too. While you may not mind getting wet during chore time, you definitely won’t like it at night if you need to head to the bathroom.

Take along some snacks and juice for the children, as regular meals often seem a long time away.  We took ours in our Coleman cooler.

Depending on the time of year, you may need insect repellent. We were certainly relieved we had ours with us!

Don’t forget personal toiletries and grooming tools.  For me that was shampoo, bodywash, lotion, deodorant, and toothpaste, accompanied by a hair brush, hair clips, a toothbrush, a washcloth and towel that I put in my own bag. If you prefer, you can buy ready-made toiletry kits for women, and kits for men.

If your farm stay is going to be a camp style stay, you will need a tent, and sleeping bags. If you plan to do some fishing, be sure to take along your fishing poles, and tackle.

That really is all you must have for your farm vacation, unless you have personal comfort or relaxation items that you need, such as a Kindle, book, or nightlight. I took my laptop, because work never ends.  

My Last Thoughts on Farm Vacations

Every once in a while our busy modern lives leave us feeling like we need to get outside and spend some time among nature. While sometimes that means going off to a remote location, hiking through the forest, up a mountain, or one of the rare undeveloped places in the world, other times it is more of a harkening back to simpler times.  Call it human nature, or evolution, but no matter where we live in the world, we have all descended from ancestors who lived off the land, in one way or another. Staying on a working farm allows us to experience that for a brief moment, to feel at peace, to find ourselves in some way.  

Perhaps that is why the idea of a farm experience is so appealing.  As our lives constantly become busier, more complicated, and more connected to a screen, an experience of living off the land can re-connect us to our humanity.  

A farm vacation is an ideal option for those who may not want to travel a long way, but want a true experience of getting away from the chaos of everyday work and life.  Family farm stays offer an opportunity to disconnect, and to experience the life of a simpler time.  It is a refreshing and rejuvenating experience, even though you may spend time working on farm chores.  If this sounds good to you, a family farm stay may be the right choice for you.  

Your friends may want a farm vacation too, so PIN it!

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