Embrace the farm life on vacation

Farm life has always been a bit romanticized in the U.S. It combines history and a sense of place with the culture of American individualism and homesteading. Now, urban and suburban

dwellers can find proverbial greener pastures on vacation at working farms across America. Visitors can milk cows or sheep, collect (and cook) eggs from resident hens, explore trails on

horseback or simply kick back on a porch and let their minds wander along with the roaming sheep. If this sounds appealing to you, you’re not alone. A recent trend report from Grand View

Research found an increased interest in agritourism, or engaging in activities on a farm, among older adults on both sides of the barn. In 2022, the average age of U.S. farm producers was

58. Nearly 30,000 farms are involved in agritourism, according to the latest census from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Here are a few working farms to consider for inspiration to turn

some of that romance into reality. Travelers can see a traditional red barn and ride horses at Wegmueller Farm in Wisconsin. Courtesy Wegmueller Farms WEGMUELLER FARM, MONROE, WISCONSIN A

fourth-generation working dairy operation in southern Wisconsin’s cheese country, Wegmueller Farm sets the tone for a traditional experience, including a red barn and white farmhouse. Just

listen for the cowbells on some of the Brown Swiss that live here. The farm is open to the public for tours. The interactive tour offers the opportunity to milk cows, bottle-feed calves,

laugh at the comical miniature pigs and meet the rest of the farm animals. Horses are a highlight, and with a stable of 23, Dan Wegmueller takes pride in matching each rider with the perfect

horse. Visitors can book long or short trail rides or an introductory lesson with tips on grooming, tacking and building a relationship with the horse. The on-site farmhouse, with its big

front porch, fireplace and fully equipped kitchen, sleeps up to 12 people. Rates are $350 per night, two-night minimum. The cottages at Mar Vista Farm boast full kitchens, gas fireplaces and

different views of the property and surrounding area. Courtesy Mar Vista Farm MAR VISTA FARM + COTTAGES, GUALALA, CALIFORNIA This 9-acre property across Highway 1 from the Pacific Ocean

offers water and forest settings, along with bunnies, goats and chickens. In 1929, Louis Kovacs, a Hungarian immigrant, purchased the land and set it up as a chicken ranch. He added

Scandinavian-style cottages to rent to sport fishermen. Each of Mar Vista’s 11 cottages has a fireplace and full kitchen with a sweet retro style. Some cottages have ocean views; all are

close to the forest. One has an outdoor space with an arbor swing and hammock facing the sea.