By Marianna Spence, CFSA Membership Coordinator

Farm stays are a popular component of agritourism, which encompasses any agriculturally-focused activity that brings visitors out to the farm – from u-pick fruit operations to on-farm wedding venues. Within its category, “farm stay” can mean quite a bit, too. You might find cabins, rustic accommodations, RV accommodations, camping, full service bed and breakfasts, retreat centers, or guest houses. All can offer exceptional opportunities to connect with the land, the agrarian lifestyle, and a little R&R.

Farm owners list their farm stays on vacation rental websites like Airbnb, VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner), Farm Stays US, and even on Craigslist. But to help narrow your search for the perfect fall vacation spot, here are a few statewide search engines and a sampling of CFSA Member farm stays:

North and South Carolina Agritourism Directories (hint: you can find farm stays and MUCH MORE using these great search engines!)

South Carolina Department of Agriculture recently launched its Agritourism Passport Program database. You can sort by county or search by keyword: http://agriculture.sc.gov/divisions/agency-services/agritourism/agritourism-farms/

North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services hosts a database of farm stays sortable by county: http://www.ncagr.gov/NCproducts/Directory.asp?CatNum=1011&SubCatNum=11

People-First Tourism, a project of NC State University, is a marketplace for buying and selling genuine tourism experiences, including some farms in North Carolina: https://www.peoplefirsttourism.com/

Jackson Farm

Tom and Jan Jackson
13902 Dunn Road
Godwin, NC
http://www.jacksonfarm.com/
910-567-2978

Our two-bedroom guest house on a 10-acre, gated wildlife preserve faces a private fishing pond (boat furnished) and adjoins our 100-acre sustainable farm which offers two miles of nature trails. It has a fireplace (wood furnished), central heat and air, bathroom with claw-foot soaking tub (herbs and salts furnished), coffee, tea, herb tea, condiments, popcorn included, grill/smoker (charcoal furnished), full power microwave, refrigerator with ice, and is so private that the shower is on the screened porch. We guarantee NO tv, radio, phone, newspaper, or internet connection, but do provide a library. This is a perfect hideaway for couples or for a family with children seeking quiet and privacy. Our website tells all, and includes a 360 degree tour of the guest house.

Back to Earth Farm

Tom and Janice Henslee
3175 Trotter Rd.
Asheboro, NC
http://www.backtoearthfarm.com/
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6883053?s=wNaVjpne

If you are looking to get away in nature, relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with wholeness, come stay at The Cabin at Back To Earth Farm. Learn about sustainable agriculture and living, or just lay in the hammock on the handcrafted cabin porch by the river listening to the sound of water falling over rocks, and soak up the peace and tranquility. Once you get here and take a deep breath, you will never want to leave!

The Inn at Celebrity Dairy

Brit and Fleming Pfann
144 Celebrity Dairy Way
Siler City, NC
http://www.celebritydairy.com/

A B&B Inn and gathering place for weddings and family gatherings on North Carolina’s pioneer goat dairy. Guests are welcome to visit the goat barn – especially at milking time, and play with the baby goats during birthing season.  We feature local seasonal products (and goat cheese!) at our breakfast table, and when catering events.

Fickle Creek Farm

Noah Ranells
211 Fickle Creek Crossing
Efland, NC
http://www.ficklecreekfarm.com/

Since the early 2003, Fickle Creek Farm has been offering accommodations to folks seeking to understand and experience farm life on a more personal level. Initially a full bed and breakfast, Fickle Creek Farm now offers a farmstay through Airbnb and welcomes tour groups each month. Visitors and guests can walk through the farm alleys and arrange to go on morning or afternoon chores collecting eggs from pastured hens and checking pigs, sheep, and cattle.

Coon Rock Farm

Richard Holcomb and Jamie DeMent
1021 Dimmocks Mill Road
Hillsborough, NC
http://coonrockfarm.com/
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/12603074?preview

Beautiful fully equipped log cabin in the woods on an organic family farm on the banks of the Eno River. Minutes away from Historic Downtown Hillsborough with its shops, galleries and restaurants and adjacent to Occaneechi Mountain State Park. Lovely log cabin with charming details and tons of space! Fully equipped kitchen with organic supplies. For an extra fee, we can stock the kitchen with breakfast and dinner supplies straight from the farm.

Old McCaskill’s Farm

Kathy and Lee McCaskill
377 Cantey Lane
Rembert, SC
http://www.oldmccaskillfarm.com/B-B.html

In 2008 we built the current house with inspiration from the old plantation houses: four over four with a long central hall. Each of our guest rooms has a unique hardwood floor, walk in closet, complimentary wifi access, and cable television.  All rooms have private bathrooms. A comfortable communal lounge area is shared by all rooms and features a walk-out balcony. If it’s historical sites you’re looking for, we are centrally located, 6 miles, between historic Camden and Boykin. Camden is the oldest inland city and has many local sites for those interested in history or just interested in the South. After a well-rested night in one of our four beautifully decorated rooms, your simple, fresh breakfast can be taken in the antique-laden, country kitchen or on the pergola-covered porch that overlooks the pond and the barn.

Windy Hill Farm

Chiara Gledhill
1319 Carr Store Rd.
Cedar Grove, NC
www.cedargrovewindyhillfarm.com
(919) 619-2494 or (919) 357-7908

Windy Hill Farm is a family farm in Cedar Grove, NC, welcoming farm stays, weddings, and farm-to-table events. We are committed to preserving farmland for future generations of farmers and inspiring others to live simply and sustainably. Our 1820s farmhouse is surrounded by lush, rolling fields and acres of forest. Spend a night or a weekend and enjoy a farm-fresh breakfast made with local ingredients. Come visit us and feel at home at Windy Hill.

Turtle Mist Farm

Bob and Ginger Sykes
221 Suitt Road
Franklinton, NC 27525
www.turtlemistfarm.com/farm-stay

A stay at Turtle Mist Farm will provide a quiet and wonderfully relaxing get-away in our 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath guest house overlooking the larger of our two stocked ponds. Guests are welcome to accompany and/or assist the owners with the daily farm chores or simply relax in the rocking chairs on the front porch or sit under the shade umbrella on the back deck.

You can visit Turtle Mist Farm on the Eastern Triangle Farm Tour, Sept. 17-18. Get your car pass today!

The kitchen has all appliances and basic cooking utensils. A washer, dryer and iron is available in the laundry room. Housekeeping and meals are up to the guest. The guest house accommodates a maximum of 6 adults. Turtle Mist Farm has an unusual array of animals including, sheep, beef cattle, pigs, dairy goats, chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, quail, partridges and pheasant. Plus rabbits, a donkey, peacocks and a horse, a Belgian.

Woodland Harvest Mountain Farm

Lisa Redman and Elizabeth West
Edwards Rd
West Jefferson, NC
http://www.woodlandharvest.org/

Woodland Harvest Mountain Farm hosts visitors, students and work-traders seasonally through wwoofusa.org, breakaway.org, colleges, and community groups. We offer tours, internships, workshops, gatherings, camping & cabins. We implement sustainable agricultural practices, restorative forestry practices for materials and forest health all based around permaculture systems. We heat, cook & clean with wood & micro-hydro & two solar panels produce our electric. Our farm borders 5, 500 acres of protected forest located about 25 minutes from Boone, NC.