ALSEA, Ore. - Farm Stay U.S. today named the top states
for farm travel and tourism, finding that Pennsylvania, California
and Vermont lead the nation in "haycation" destinations with the
largest number of farm vacation listings in its FarmStayUS.com
database.
The FarmStayUS.com searchable website has grown within a year to
become the largest online source for farm vacations in the U.S.,
having expanded rapidly to 721 listings in all 50 states. The
number of farms, ranches and vineyards has more than doubled from
the original 320 listings in 46 states when FarmStayUS.com launched
in June 2010, and it will continue to grow as farm tourism and
consumer interest in sustainable and local agriculture expands in
the U.S.
Farm Stay U.S. found that Pennsylvania, California and Vermont lead the way in farm and ranch stay
listings: Pennsylvania has 73 farm and ranch listings; California
has 52 and Vermont 45.
Rounding out the top ten states are ranch-heavy Wyoming at 42, Virginia at 38, North Carolina at 34, Montana at 33, Colorado at 31, Oregon at 26 and New York at 25. All 50
states' farm and ranch stay listings can be viewed at /map. Other
state-specific numbers are below.
Farm vacations benefit both guests and hosts, providing needed
income to small family farms and memorable, fun experiences for
guests. Increasingly people are longing to eat and support the
growing of truly fresh food and to teach their kids that eggs come
from chickens not cartons, " said (Ms.) Scottie Jones, an Alsea,
Ore. farmer and founder of Farm Stay U.S.
"Our vision is
to help restore America's family farm heritage," Jones said. "Call
it a farm stay or haycation, agritourism is increasingly important
to small farmers trying to stay afloat when competing with
industrial farming and increasingly important to city dwellers
seeking an escape and connection to a grounded way of life."
Farm Stay U.S. identifies vacation options ranging from rustic
cabins to four-star lodging, where activities range from feeding
animals and picking fruit to spinning wool, horseback riding,
skiing and even yoga. Farm Stay U.S. also is building the tools,
resources and community for farmers to start or grow their farm
stay offerings alongside their working operations.
The FarmStayUS.com website is free to travelers, and free to
farmers for basic listings. The vision is for premium listings,
sponsorship and advertising to support the website.
Hatching an Idea
FarmStayUS.com was launched in June 2010 by Jones who operates
her own farm stay, Leaping Lamb Farm, with her husband, Greg, in
Alsea, Ore. They have hosted American and international guests
since 2006. Visitors report being refreshed by the farm vacation
experience, often returning to their lives with a greater
appreciation for farming and a greater likelihood of supporting
local food and farms through farmers' markets and their other
everyday purchases.
"We were regularly booked at our farm stay and wanted to help
our guests and other farmers by creating an easy referral network.
That idea grew into Farm Stay U.S.," Jones said. "We hope it grows
further into a robust network of farmers helping farmers and guests
who continue to connect and support a healthier food and farm
system."
Visitors can search each state via the "Farms Map" tab. The
number changes every day as new farms add their information, but as
of March 14, 2011, the number of farm or ranch stays per state are:
Alabama 6, Alaska 5, Arizona 13, Arkansas 7, California 52,
Colorado 31, Connecticut 6, Delaware 1, Florida 12, Georgia 13,
Hawaii 5, Idaho 12, Illinois 7, Indiana 4, Iowa 8, Kansas 7,
Kentucky 12, Louisiana 4, Maine 15, Maryland 6, Massachusetts 17,
Michigan 7, Minnesota 6, Mississippi 2, Missouri 10, Montana 33,
Nebraska 19, Nevada 7, New Hampshire 6, New Jersey 3, New Mexico 5,
New York 24, North Carolina 34, North Dakota 1, Ohio 10, Oklahoma
15, Oregon 26, Pennsylvania 73, Rhode Island 5, South Carolina 4,
South Dakota 13, Tennessee 3, Texas 15, Utah 2, Vermont 45,
Virginia 38, Washington 9, West Virginia 4, Wisconsin 17, Wyoming
42.
Photo credits: top - SallyLundburg / Keolamauloa Farm,
middle - K. Fritz / Leaping Lamb Farm, bottom - KimGoodling /
Vermont Grandview Farm