In many rural parts of America there’s a new trend growing. It’s called “haycations” and it’s a seed of an idea planted by the blooming agritourism business. Haycations encourage families, schools and youth groups to take field trips to actual fields. Haycations offer great learning experiences for kids and adults who may not have the opportunity to experience life on the farm or understand the economics of agriculture.
“Kids are often four or five generations away from the farm,” says Carolyn Rausch, owner of Carolyn’s Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch in rural Missouri. “Some urban kids are scared at first of the wide open spaces, and they’ll call the pigs “doggie” because they’ve never seen one before.”
As an industry, farming is big business. According to recent statistics quoted by the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association in Choices Magazine, in 2010, U.S. agricultural exports reached a record high $115.8 billion. This represents more than nine percent of all U.S. exports. Further data shows that every $1 billion of U.S. agricultural export generates 15,811 jobs.
More than 50,000 farms across the country welcome visitors during all or part of the year. Besides taking hayrides, you can see how maple syrup is made in Vermont, learn how cheese is made in Wisconsin or join in harvesting apples in Washington.
Other activities commonly found at haycation destinations, include:
Amazing Mazes – Explore a corn or hay-bale maze. It’s fun seeing how long it takes to wind through the maze and find your way out.
Animal Magnetism – Children are naturally drawn to animals, and love getting to see and touch the hogs, goats, sheep and cows. On some ranches, they can go horseback riding, and if you time it right they can see animals being born.
Getting Physical – Doing farm chores such as milking cows and feeding livestock gives city-dwellers a hands-on experience of farm life. Many farms offer hiking trails and some let kids to climb the walls of silos.
Easy Pickin’ – Many farms and orchards invite you to pick berries, plums and other fruits and vegetables. Your kids can also pick their own plump pumpkins from the vine to decorate for Halloween.
Living History – Learning about butter churning, weaving, cotton picking and blacksmithing gives your kids a glimpse into America’s pioneer days.