Have you ever visited a real, working farm?

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If you haven't, it might be because the quest to find one just appeared difficult.

Where do you start looking to find a working farm? Horse farm tours? A farm that encourages guests? A farm for a day visit?

In reality, there is ample information available via the internet on working farm tours, farm bed and breakfast inns, pick-your-own farms, and even farms where you can stay and actually work the farm as part of your vacation.

In all honesty, it does take a little more planning and a little more vacation "detecting" but it can be done and it will be worth the extra effort.

Thanks to State Departments of Agriculture, and the growing desire to "Know your farmer, know your food" promoted by the head of the USDA, more and more tour and vacation-seekers are choosing to head back to the land and farm as their holiday destination.

Definition: Agritourism

"Agritourism" is a style of vacation that normally takes place on a farm or ranch. It may also include the chance to help with farming and ranching tasks during the visit. Some farms provide an "all inclusive" vacation destination meaning your "bed and board" or your roof over your head and your meals, are included in the price of your visit to the farm. And some of those meals may consist only of food grown on or raised on the farm.

Agritourismworld.com has a great search feature that allows you to search by keyword, location, category, or both keyword and location. They also provide world-wide information on cool venues for farm vacations for you and your family. How about a French bed and breakfast in the Loire Valley region? Or a Safari Farm in Pradeesh, India?

Have a look at Weatherbury Farm if you'd like to treat your children to an exciting and educational vacation on a real working farm in the country. The options are as endless as your imagination...

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Here's a quick film clip you'll enjoy from Great Country Farms, Bluemont, Virginia.

Watch more Loudoun County, Virginia videos at tripfilms.com

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Tourism assistance from the government(s)...

Federal, State, and local government web sites can provide informed and valuable insight to a wide variety of country vacation activities.

The United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Marketing Service has a handy search page just for this purpose. For individual US States, go to the main page for your State of interest and look for links from that State's Department of Agriculture. Most will provide search capability down to County level.

The graphic to your left is a great example from Greene County, Pennsylvania, US.

A lot of time and effort has been spent to consolidate this information for prospective visitors - so use it to save you time finding the perfect vacation spot.

This is also a chance to take advantage of your tax dollars actually working for you!

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Get Started Now on that Country Vacation...

Here are some other very useful links to get you thinking about a farm or ranch vacation and to you assist you in planning your perfect country vacation...

Networking Association for Farm Direct Marketing and Agritourism.
Handy and comprehensive search feature.

U-Pick Farms.
Thousands of farms around the country where you can pick-your own fruits and vegetables, and even cut your own Christmas trees.

USDA - Rural Tourism in the United States
Also has links to all 50 US State Departments of Rural Tourism

WWOOF
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. Very Comprehensive - covers the planet!

Farm and Ranch Stays
This site will help you find accommodations on working farms and ranches. Some locations even handle large groups and special events.

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Still in the early planning stages of your country vacation? Then head back to things that may prove useful including a quiz to test your vacation personality, a handy starter list of things to consider about where you want to go and what you want to do, along with some luggage options and suggestions, and a thought or two about securing your main home-base property so things will remain secure there while you are on your country vacation.

Don't forget to travel safe and secure while you're at it...and have fun!

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Questions? Comments? Please email us here.

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