Farmers Bringing Rural Life to the Forefront through Agritourism
This emerging trend is paving the way for travelers to not only explore rural areas, but also engage with farmers and their way of life.
In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at how farmers are diversifying their income and bringing rural life to the forefront through agritourism. We’ll also show you how you can discover a whole new world of travel with unique and fulfilling experiences in the Yolo Countryside.
What is Agritourism?
Agritourism is a growing trend that combines agriculture and tourism, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in rural life and learn about agriculture industry. It offers a unique and interactive experience for both farmers and tourists alike.
Agritourism encompasses a wide range of activities, including farm tours, u-pick experiences, seasonal harvest events, workshops, and more. It provides an opportunity for visitors to connect with nature, learn about sustainable farming practices, and gain a deeper understanding of where their food comes from.
In Yolo County, agritourism has flourished due to the region's rich agricultural heritage. Travelers can explore the scenic countryside, visit local farms, participate in farm-to-table experiences, and even meet the farmers themselves. From harvest festivals to tours, workshops and tastings, there are endless opportunities to engage in family-friendly activities and learn about agriculture in an enjoyable and hands-on way.
Unique Yolo Offerings That Draw Visitors In
With acres of scenic drives near Sacramento, including orchards, vineyards, flower and produce fields, visitors are treated to a feast for the senses! The region offers a wide range of unique and captivating experiences that draw in travelers from near and far, but the most popular seasons that attracts visitors are sunflowers in the summer and almond blossoms in the early spring. If you want to plan your Yolo Agro-trip around these seasons, be sure to check out these Sunflower Viewing and Almond Blossom Season travel tips and activity ideas!
How To Explore Yolo County As An Agriculture Tourist
Located just outside of Winters along Road 88, Hedgerow Farms has over 300 acres of farmland filled with native grasses and wildflowers. With over 400 species of plants grown on their farm, their research and efforts in native seed production have played a vital role in native habitat restoration projects throughout California over the last 30 years! Book a farm tour with them to learn more about how they grow native plants in the Yolo Countryside.
Wander throughout The HIVE’s expansive pollinator gardens and learn about the process surrounding the production of honey, and how that relates to the full circle of plants, bees, honey, and you. You can also taste 30+ varietal honeys from all over the world as you relax in a serene outdoor courtyard with a few friends and a bottle of mead.
If you're interested in learning about lavender, consider joining one of the educational workshops offered by Capay Valley Lavender. From lavender harvesting to essential oil distillation, these workshops are a unique and educational experience. Capay Valley also offers seasonal farm tours and lavender picking.
Fullbelly Farm offers a range of activities that provide a hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of sustainable farming practices including their annual Hoe Down Harvest Festival in October. Other public events include farm dinners, pizza nights, and floral workshops. Be sure to check out their calendar of events here.
Located 12 minutes outside of the city of winters is the Park Winters Flower Farm. They offer garden and farm tours, flower picking, dried flower arranging and other creative workshops. You can also enjoy delicious farm bites and seasonal cocktails at their Farmstand. Visit their event calendar here.
If you’d rather have a local expert plan your itinerary, there’s no better way than Yolo 365 Tours. Crafted out of a passion to share the small town charm & farm-to-fork food sprinkled throughout Yolo County through curated tours and tastings, their custom curated tours consist of farms, production tours, tasting rooms, and hidden gems with flights & bites.
With more than 22,000 total acres in production, Seka Hills owns one of the most diverse farming operations in Yolo County and is one of a few tribes with expanding agriculture in California. Their olive mill and tasting room offer olive oil and wine tastings. During olive harvest season you can book a tour of their mill and learn how olive oil is harvested and processed.
Finally, don't forget to take advantage of the u-pick opportunities in the area. Whether it's flowers, fruits, or vegetables, picking your own produce is a fun and rewarding activity for the whole family. Here’s a list of farms you can visit for u-pick experiences. Be sure to call or check their websites for dates as most farms offer seasonal experiences.
Now it’s time to put on your cowboy boots and get ready to explore the Yolo Countryside as an agritourism tourist. With so many unique and engaging experiences awaiting you, it's sure to be a trip you won't soon forget!
