by Sheri Leigh

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.

Name: Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute
Location: US 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.
Article: St. Croix's Caribbean Farm Stays: Mangos, Reefs, & Beer-Drinking Pigs.

Name: Shelburne Farms
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.
Article: Shelburne Farms Tradition of gracious hospitality continues on shores of Lake Champlain

Name: Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
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 bales 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.

Name: Weatherbury Farm Vacation
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.

Name: El Porvenir
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.