Your Guide to an Unforgettable Family Vacation

Your Guide to an Unforgettable Family Vacation

Farm Stays

Maine ~ New Hampshire ~ Vermont

Guide to an Unforgettable

Farm Stays—Northern New England

Your Guide to an Unforgettable Family Vacation

By Marcia Passos Duffy

Cover photo courtesy of Take it For Granite Farm B&B, Wilmot, NH All photos in this book provided courtesy of farms listed.

Published by:

B a c k p o r c h P u b l i s h i n g

K e e n e ~ N e wH a m p s h i r e

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my great-grandfather,

who loved his farm.

“If we lose the family farm, we lose more than a piece of land orindividual growers of food. We lose a self-sufficient spirit that hasmade our country great." -Willie Nelson, president, Farm Aid, Inc.

Farm Stays – Northern New England

Your Guide to an Unforgettable Farm Vacation

Reviews

“Duffy'sbook is chock-full of practical information and sound advice for enjoying a safe and educational on-farm experience. Farm profiles offer information on travel distance, accommodations, setting, activities, rates, food, a brief history of the farm, and recommendations for local day trips.Thebasic farm animal facts enhance the learning promised through this unique vacation. You'll want to bring this book along with you on your agri-tourism adventure. What a terrific way to help support small-scale farming in northern New England!”

~ Madeleine Charney, Informational Resources Manager, New England Small Farm Institute () (and co-host of "Farm to Fork: The PioneerValley's Local Food and Agriculture Show" WXOJ-LP - Valley Free Radio, 103.3 FM)

“Thirty-five years ago, when my wife and I announced to our friends that we were taking the kids on a farm vacation, they thought we were from outer space! However, as Marcia Passos Duffy points out in Farm Stays: Northern New England...Your Guide to an Unforgettable Farm Vacation, things have certainly changed, as people are now seeking an experience that can't be duplicated elsewhere at a fraction of the cost.” ~ Norm Goldman, Editor, Sketch and Travel and Bookpleasures.com

“This well organized book is more than a handy vacation guide. It is a warm invitation for families to sample life at its source, where food is grown and time slows to nature’s pace. With glorious photos, tempting recipes, maps, facts, and useful links, author Marcia Passos Duffy prepares any family for a memorable stay at one of Northern New England’s many working farms that welcome guests. Duffy, a mother of two and lifelong supporter of the small farm, knows that parents truly relax when their kids are having wholesome fun.”

~ Jeanne Prevett Sable, writer, editor, and author of Seed Keepers of Crescentville () — A novel about a small Vermont farming community that rallies against a giant biotech ag-corporation.

“More than a book about farm locations, Marcia Passos Duffy has provided a guide to family experiences that you and your children will never forget. A day or two on the farm is like a visit to a wondrous world of new sounds and sights, a world in a different time warp where everyone has time to enjoy the people, plants and creatures around them.Often, after you’ve shared their farm, their dinner table, and their way of life, your new farm friends will become lifetime friends, and you’ll be buying Marcia’s book to encourage the city dwellers in your life to find farm friends of their own.” ~Jane Eckert, a sixth generation farmer, published author and CEO of Eckert AgriMarketing,, whichpresents workshops and seminars,and provides consultation, and Web site design to North American farms and tourism professionals.

Table of Contents

ChapterPage

What’s in This Book8

Why Stay at a Farm9

Before You Book Your Stay12

Tips14

Farming Basics16

Farm Safety20

Why Stay in Northern New England21

Lodging Tax22

Maine Farm Stays23

Map of Maine24

Before You Go25

Fern Hill Farm26

Home Nest Farm30

Maple Hill Farm35

Morrill Farm39

Nonesuch Farm43

Pleasant Bay B&B46

Tides End Farm49

New Hampshire Farm Stays53

Map of New Hampshire54

Before You Go55

Blueberry Farm56

D-Acres60

Inn at East Hill Farm64

Inn at Valley Farm67

Peep Willow Farm72

Shaker Woods Farm75

Take it for Granite B&B78

Vermont Farm Stays81

Map of Vermont82

Before You Go83

Berkson Farms84

Emergo Farm B&B87

Four Springs Farm90

Hill Farm94

Hollister Hill Farm97

Liberty Hill Farm100

Shearer Hill Farm103

Shepherd’s Hill Farm106

Sweet Retreat109

Farm Stays Beyond New England113

Farm Stays Recipes116

About the Author125

What’s in this Book

This book will give you tips on what to expect on your farm vacation, and lists 23 working farms in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont that cater to guests. Each listing includes photos of the farm, links to the Web site, travel distance from major metropolitan areas in the Northeast (Boston, New York City and Montreal, Canada), if kids and/or pets are welcome, costs, and what you can expect on your farm vacation.

This book was written specifically for travelers to the more rural New England states (Maine, New HampshireVermont) who are looking for a one-of-a-kind vacation experience. Northern New England has traditionally been a popular vacation getaway for individuals and families from Northeast metropolitan areas who visit our seashores and lakes in the summer, our idyllic towns during foliage, and our mountains in the winter. However, you’ll find that staying at a farm offers an experience that can’t be duplicated anywhere else.

Why Stay at a Farm?

As you plan your next vacation, do you get sticker shock from the cost of staying at a resort? Are you tired of the usual resorts or theme-parks where you are passively entertained (and constantly opening your wallet)? Are you searching for a vacation that will be relaxing for you and an unforgettable experience for the kids? Do you want to be at a place that is real and not manufactured?

What you need is a good old fashioned farm vacation.

Staying at a farm – even if you just stay a weekend – is an experience your family will never forget. If you have kids, it is a chance for them to experience firsthand where food comes from and even help with farm chores, such as feeding baby lambs and collecting eggs. It is a way out of the hustle and bustle of modern life – a retreat that brings you and your family back to America’s farm roots and a calmer, simpler way of life.

Farm vacations are not new. In fact, 50 years ago city dwellers who needed a break would call their country cousins for a respite from urban life. However, today, with less than 2% of the U.S. population now living on working farms, having a relative with a farm is unlikely for most people. But now more than ever — with the frenetic pace of suburban & urban life at full tilt — we all desperately need a vacation “away from it all.”

Luckily there still many farmers who, in addition to farming, love to play host to their urban “cousins.” These farmers are part of an ever-growing trend of agri-tourism. According to a recent article in the Boston Globe, the farm vacation is increasingly becoming a popular

getaway among suburban families; this trend is being fueled by a surging interest in environmentally conscious tourism and the increased enthusiasm for local organic food among suburbanites and urban dwellers – who rightly believe that children ought to know and understand where food comes from.

What’s it like to stay on a farm?

Imagine for a moment waking to the sound of the rooster crowing and chickens clucking. How about rolling out of bed and collectingfresh eggs for breakfast with your kids? You can then stroll around the farm, go fishing, milk a cow, sip lemonade on the rocking chair on the porch, feed a baby lamb out of a bottle or go for a hayride.

The pace and pressures of everyday life slip away. This is a place you can really “let go” on vacation, participate in some real down-to-earth activities, eat wholesome home-grown & cooked meals, and probably have the best sleep you’ve had in years.

Now this is what you can call a vacation.

Many parents who have taken a farm vacation report it is more relaxing than a Club Med or Disney vacation – and it promotes simpler values they want to instill in their children – like hard work and respect for nature.

A farm vacation is not only relaxing, but it is a true bargain. The average middle income American family spends hundreds of dollars annually in its two weeks' pursuit of pleasure and relaxation. Youprobably lay out even more money on camping equipment, special vehicles, boats, motorcycles, gasoline, motels, restaurants, camping fees, portable TVs, movies, liquor, repair bills and more. Sometimes you need a vacation after your vacation to recover from the stress of spending all that money and not really having a relaxing time.

Your farm vacation helps not only your family, but small family farms.

It is no secret that family farms and their way of life are at risk of being lost to large factory farms and development. But being resourceful people, farmers today are looking for new income streams. Hosting farm stays is one of those ways.

For farmers the influx of guests who are willing to pay for lodging and the “farm experience” is becoming vital to their economic survival and preserving the rural landscape. In fact, farms that include some kind of “agri-tourism” (such as farm stays) are managing to stay afloat and even thrive.

With many independent farms on the verge of extinction, cash-strapped farmers are finding a good stream of income hosting urban/suburban guests — who actually want to milk their cows and gather eggs.

Before You Book Your Vacation

on a Working Farm

Farm vacations are as varied as the farmers who run them. There is a wide variety of “farm experiences” you and your family can have: from the full-fledged dairy farm to a “gentleman” farm with a few sheep and chickens.

Before you book your farm vacation read the descriptions of the farms carefully. Visit the Web sites, and call the farmer hosts if you have any questions or concerns. You will find the farmer hosts are very eager and willing to make sure that their farms are the right fit for you and your family. Also ask yourself these questions:

What kind of farm experience do I want? Do you really want to be on a working farm? It is not always mandatory that you work – but it is part of the fun. Check out what kind of farm you want to stay at. There are farms with animals and farms that have vegetables or maple sugaring. Some have guest houses separate from the farmers’ living quarters; others have rooms right in the farm house. It all depends on what kind of experience you’d like your family to have during your stay.

What time of year do I want to take my vacation? How does this correspond with the farming season? If you want a maple syrup experience, don’t book in the summer (sap runs in February and March). If you want to see spring lambs, book your vacation in the spring or early summer (by fall they are pretty much all grown up.) If apple picking is your thing, book in the late summer.

So check beforehand with the farmer about what is available – and don’t be embarrassed about your lack of knowledge of the farm seasons. These farmers are all too willing to help you plan a farm vacation that is perfect for your family. They are also experts in the rural life and local places you’ll want to visit while staying at the farm.

How will my children react to farm life? Many farms welcome children and allow them to participate in farm life: from collecting eggs to milking cows. These working farms will give your children a chance to experience events – such as a calf being born – which are impossible to duplicate on any other vacation. But be aware that not all children will like being on the farm and some toddlers can be frightened of animals (such as cows which are very large in real life.). You will also need to keep your eye on your children since some farms are not toddler-friendly.

How will I react to farm life? While you may feel relief being away from the stress of the modern world, some may find the break too jarring. Some farm stays guest rooms have no phones or TVs, and bathrooms may have to be shared. You may be in an area where there is no cell phone service or high speed Internet access (or any Internet at all). Make sure when you book your vacation that you are aware of what you can (and cannot) tolerate as far as being disconnected from the “real” world.

Tips for Your Farm Vacation

Bring clothing appropriate for farm life. Working farms are alive with sounds, smells (not always pleasant), character and a daily routine that is very different from life in the city or the suburbs. Since much of a farm is outdoors, prepare for all weather conditions. Make sure you bring rain boots, a coat, vest, and an extra layer of clothing. You (or your kids) will certainly get into mud or manure, so dress yourself and kids appropriately. Leave your fancy clothes and white tennis shoes at home. Remember to wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 every day, even on cloudy days. If the temperature drops, always dress in warm layers to protect yourself.

If there are farm animals around, ask your children to use some restraint in approaching them. While the farm animals are probably used to having guests – particularly children – around, explain to your children that they do still need to give the animals time to explore the new people (look at you, sniff you, etc.) before they are touched. (See Farm Safety, page 20)

Don’t be shy and take this opportunity to learn more about farm life. Remember that farmers who elect to open their houses to guests are doing this not only as an income stream but because theygenuinely love having people around. Don’t be shy about asking questions about the farm or talking about what you do in the suburbs or city.

Take in what is in the surrounding area. While the farm might occupy your entire stay, make sure you schedule some time to visit

the surrounding area. I’ve suggested day trips in each of the farm stays listed.

Don’t forget to support the farm in any way you can. Farmers work very long hours for relatively low pay because they love the land. If a farm you are visiting has a gift shop or farm stand, make an effort to support the farm with your purchases. You and others will make the difference in whether many small farms continue for another generation, so buy their local produce and locally crafted products. Even if you can get the item cheaper somewhere else, choose to help the farms you visit, so they will be there when your kids have kids.

Farming Basics

Before you embark on your farm vacation, here are some facts about farm animals that you (and your children) might be interested in learning:

About Milking Cows

Cows are milked at least twice a day.
It used to take a person one hour to milk 6 cows by hand. Today, modern machines can milk 100 cows in an hour.
A good milk cow gives 80-100 glasses of milk a day.
A cow produces milk for her calf and the actual milk production begins with the calf’s birth.
A cow produces milk approximately 10 months before “drying up” for a two-month rest period, prior to her next delivery.
With artificial insemination and advanced technology, a few hundred bulls serve millions of cows.
A calf drinks milk for six to eight weeks, then is gradually weaned to solid foods like grain and hay.
Cows are ruminant animals – they have a four-compartment stomach that enables them to consume foods not digestible in humans.
Most calves would grow horns, however, farmers remove early growth for their safety.
Corn silage is an entire corn plant, chopped and fermented or pickled. This increases the protein and energy available to the cow (the “silage” is what you will see stored in farm “silos”)

Haylage is slightly dried grass that is chopped and fermented.

Other common dairy feeds include: hay, soybean meal, cornmeal, brewer’s grain (a waste product of beer production) and minerals.

About Sheep & Goats