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Even city slickers like myself can relate
to a simpler way of life when time moved with the seasons and life
revolved around the harvest. Right now I am waiting to plant my first
veggies of the season. So imagining a farm holiday or other earth friendly
trip at this time of year is quite natural.
To visit a working farm, whether for a few
days of relaxation or to really get involved with the daily feeding of
animals or vegetables during a longer stay, is easier today than it has
ever been. More true fames are opening themselves for agritourism
regardless of the size and even the smallest country B&B's are likely to
have a garden from which dinners are created.
This month we highlight just a few of the
many agritourism opportunities available on Cultural Travels. If you are
searching for a "greener" vacation, the sky is the limit. Ecotourism and
agritourism opportunities abound on all continents. A day or a week, for
fun or education, responsibility in tourism whether eco-, agri- or
volunteer- tourism is you choice, all these provide opportunities to give
back to the earth or community in ways not previously available. Besides,
they help offset the carbon emissions it took to get there!
Have great Earth Day. and plan a "good for
the earth holiday" today.
This
month's tour hosts review:
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Virgin Islands Sustainable Institute
Pick of
the Month |
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Location: U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Specialty:
Courses in
sustainable living |
| Why
We Like Them: Offering programs that focus on the arts and
sciences of sustainable living, VISFI has something for everyone. From
field trips to their working farm for local children, to week long study
opportunities for specialists and those people wanting to learn about
protecting and enjoying their own environment. Whether you are looking to
earn collage credit, seeking an internship, or want to learn bush skills,
you can enjoy them all on St Croix. |
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Article:
St. Croix's Caribbean Farm
Stays: Mangos, Reefs, & Beer-Drinking Pigs. |
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Shelburne Farms |
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Location: Vermont, USA |
| Specialty: Working farm, dairy
and historic Inn |
| Why
We Like Them: Offering dozens of
classes for children, families and adults, as well as a host of special
events, Shelburne Farms is a great way to explore woodlands, cheese making
and daily farm life. For the passive, the Inn provides a look back into the
past and offers wonderful meals straight from the land. The Farms is also a
member of a number of sustainable practices organizations. |
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Article:
Shelburne Farms Tradition of gracious hospitality
continues on shores of Lake Champlain |
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Western Pleasure Guest Ranch |
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Location: Idaho's
Panhandle region, USA |
| Specialty:
Guest Ranch |
| Why
We Like Them: Three great
accommodation options, the Lodge, standalone Log cabins or the secluded hay
bale constructed guest house, allows the guest to experience the ranch at
one's own pace and level of involvement. Open all year round, fall winter
and spring offer skiing, sleigh rides as well as guided horse riding trips,
while summer is full of activities such as; fiddle and horsemanship camps,
trail ridding as well as a great variety of other outdoor adventures.
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Weatherbury Farm Vacation |
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Location:
Pennsylvania, USA |
| Specialty: Farm holidays for
families |
| Why
We Like Them: Offering five themed and decorated rooms in three
different locations: the livery, the summer kitchen and the
farmhouse, these suites and rooms accommodate up to 7 family
members.
Especially geared for families, the activities include helping farmer Dale
with chores such as feeding the goats or chickens, bottle feeding young
animals or hunting for guinea fowl eggs (to ensure their proper incubation).
Kids of all ages can help with the chores before enjoying the garden,
grounds or nearby sites. A special treat for the wee ones is earning
the "Official Weatherbury Farm Kid" certificate. For all family members,
Weatherbury Farm is a great way to get away from it all and imagining life
when grandma still lived on the farm. |
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El Porvenir |
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Location: Nicaragua |
| Specialty:
Work trips to Nicaragua |
| Why
We Like Them: Born in
the 1980’s during the United Nations International Drinking Water Decade, El
Porvenir began as an off-shoot of Habitat for Humanity’s self-help housing
program in Nicaragua. Its goals are to improve the standard of living of
poor people in Nicaragua through sustainable self-help water, sanitation and
reforestation projects. Each year they offer one and two week work trips, as
well as an Elderhostel work trip and educational tour. Imagine exploring a
new country and helping bring such simple, basic human needs as water and
sanitation to people less fortunate than ourselves. What a way to make a
difference in our everyday world. |
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