The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages all Virginians to get outdoors during June … at a farm.
“The possibilities are almost limitless,” said Sandra J. Adams, Commissioner. “People can pick fresh berries, vegetables or flowers; ride a pony or take a trail ride; navigate a maze; pet a lamb; fish for trout or picnic in the great outdoors.”
These activities and many more take place on Virginia farms that are open to the public. Agritourism, or agricultural tourism, is a growing aspect of the Virginia farm economy and VDACS lists places to visit on its website atvdacs.virginia.gov/news/c-tourism.shtml. There visitors will find historic farms and plantations, museums, food festivals, farm vacations, geo-caching spots, farms where you can fish with a pole or a fly rod, wineries and micro-breweries that offer amenities such as picnicking or hiking, even pet-friendly locations.
Some farms offer unique experiences such as gem mining at Chesterfield Berry Farm, panning for gold at Cheese Cake Farms in Fauquier county, playing cow-pie putt-putt golf at Great Country Farms in Bluemont or visiting the butterfly house or Virginia Carousel at Back Home on the Farm in Harrisonburg. At Fair Hill Farm in Stanardsville, you can even nap in the hammocks. But all agritourism farms offer a blend of fresh air, farm-fresh food or plants and just enjoying the Great Outdoors. Be sure to call ahead to see what’s fresh in the fields, listings of special events and information about reservations if required.
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