OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS, P.O. BOX 1163, RICHMOND, VA 23218, www.vdacs.virginia.gov
June 9, 2009
SEE THE SIGHTS AS A VIRGINIA AGRITOURIST THIS SUMMER
By Todd P. Haymore, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
If you are looking for something a little different for your summer vacation, try combining agriculture and tourism to become a Virginia agritourist. You can experience some of what I enjoyed when I was growing up and lived on my grandparents’ farm in Pittsylvania County. Today, as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), I am reminded of my carefree summers on the farm when I visit Virginia’s many agricultural operations that welcome visitors and provide them with a unique, interesting and fun experience.
These farms, orchards, wineries and plantations aim to please their guests and offer an ideal combination of delicious food, beautiful scenery, off-the-beaten-track locations, wonderful people, fascinating history and enjoyable activities for your whole family. Take it from me, as an agritourist, you will get to see a side of Virginia you may never have seen before and I think you will like it as much as my family and I do.
Consider a farm vacation and just imagine the peace and quiet, the beautiful scenery and the rural ambiance. Suddenly the term “get away” has an entirely new meaning. At www.vdacs.virginia.gov/news/c-tourism.shtml you’ll find a list of farms with accommodations that may be in a rustic setting but are definitely equipped for today. Whether you choose a cottage, guest house, cabin or farm house, it’s likely you can enjoy some fine front porch sitting, perfect for relaxing and taking in the view. Your farm vacation may also include hay rides, fishing, feeding the animals, camp fires, picnics, berry and apple picking, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, napping and observing the farm operations. And of course there is the wonderful farm fresh food.
A very popular type of agritourism in Virginia is a visit to a winery or vineyard. Virginia boasts more than 140 wineries and almost all of them provide a full range of entertainment options. Wine tastings, gourmet food, polo matches and special events of all sorts abound at Virginia wineries. The official and essential guide is at www.virginiawine.org/. I just read through a few of the events coming up in June and July, and believe me, there’s something for everyone – concerts, fine arts festivals, murder mystery dinners, film screenings, dancing under the stars, pig roasts, jazz festivals, book signings and cooking or grilling demonstrations. You can witness the Attack of the Rescued Westies at Barrel Oak at Barrel Oak Winery, Delaplane, on June 14 and bring your own West Highland white terrier along for the fun. Rebec Vineyards in Amherst offers a Summer Solstice Festival June 20, and several wineries offer film screenings or classic movies under the stars. Father’s Day events abound; one of the more unique is the Father’s Day Turkish Grill at Hillsborough Vineyards in Purcelville.
If you want to celebrate an authentic Virginian Fourth of July, then head to any number of wineries all around the state for bluegrass music, picnics and cookouts, concerts, patriotic celebrations, acoustic blues music, craft shows and more. Many Independence Day winery events are free, and with reservations, you can order a picnic or your wine and cheese basket in advance.
For history loving agritourists, Virginia boasts a wealth of agricultural attractions. Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were experienced, innovative farmers and at Mount Vernon (www.mountvernon.org/) and Monticello (www.monticello.org/ ) you can see their efforts recreated. For more samples of farm history, you could also visit Chippokes Plantation State Park (www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/chi.shtml ), one of the oldest working farms in the US (you can rent a cottage and spend a night or a week); the Virginia Frontier Culture Museum (www.frontiermuseum.org/ ) that tells the story of the pioneers in colonial America; and the Cyrus McCormick Farm (www.vaes.vt.edu/steeles/mccormick/mccormick.html ), where inventor Cyrus McCormick patented the first successful mechanical reaper in 1834.
If time is limited, start your agritourism adventure at a Farmers Market. More and more are opening so you can find them on rural rolling hillsides as well as downtown parking lots. Vendors set up stands piled high with fresh produce, flowers, meats, cheeses, seafood, baked goods, plants and homemade treats. Farmers markets are not just for shopping any more. Now people view them as gathering places for the community, and a great place to meet and greet neighbors and old friends. Markets often add to the fun with cooking demonstrations, music, kids’ activities and crafts. Be sure to put a farmers market visit on your Must Do list. Find your favorite at www.virginiagrown.com.
Even if you can’t get a taste of the farm this summer, you can still taste the best of the best agricultural products whenever you’d like. Treat yourself and your family to an outstanding selection from the Virginia’s Finest® Trademark Program and help celebrate the program’s 20th anniversary. In 1989, VDACS created Virginia’s Finest to identify and promote exceptional Virginia agricultural products. You’ll find the trademark blue check mark and red letter A on everything delicious from baked goods and beverages to peanuts, pickles and poultry, and on a variety of non food items as well. See the selections at www.vafinest.com.
No special preparation needed to be an agritourist. Just come as you are but be ready for a wonderful time down on the farm.
