California Agritourism Offers Great Farm Tours!
Many might wonder what actually defines; “Agritourism” Is it a trend or just a catch phrase that is becoming more and more prevalent in agricultural communities? Agritourism is widespread in America. Agritourists can choose from a wide range of activities that include picking fruits and vegetables, riding horses, tasting honey, learning about wine and cheesemaking, or shopping in farm gift shops and farm stands for local and regional produce or hand-crafted gifts. People have become more interested in how their food is produced. They want to meet farmers and processors and talk with them about what goes into food production. For many people who visit farms, especially children, the visit marks the first time they see the source of their food, be it a dairy cow, an ear of corn growing in a field, or an apple they can pick right off a tree.
Northern California is growing their Agritourism and several tour companies offer great options in the form of tours and events in which participants are taken directly to the farms, the cheesemakers, the winemakers and bakers. So many options to choose from……are you ready to go?
1. Local Roots Farm & Wine Tours in Sacramento Valley
http://www.localrootsfoodtours.com 1-800-407-8918
Sierra Foothills Farm & Wine Bus Tours take participants on a 4 hour bus journey through the beautiful hills and valleys of Placer County visiting local olive groves, mandarin orchards, organic farms, beautiful vineyards and an indoor produce market and bakery. The opportunity to meet passionate farmers and vintners on each tour stop. Tours include a gourmet lunch which includes farm to fork ingredients from placer county farms and wine tasting at local vineyard. Tours are offered Saturdays and Sundays year round. Custom group tours for private parties are offered 7 days a week.
2. Ag Venture Tours in Salinas Valley
http://www.agventuretours.com 831-761-8463
Van tours planned around the Monterey Bay Region stopping at several chosen organic farms in the prosperous Salinas Valley. Different tour options. Advanced ticketing required.
3. Bay Area Green Tours – San Francisco Bay Areas
http://www.bayareagreentours.org – 510-704-0379
Custom educational farm, food and wine tours focusing on sustainable agriculture. Two fun options: Moveable Feast and Wine & Cheese tours. Advanced ticketing required.
4. Malt’s Hikes, Tours & Talks – Marin County
http://www.malt.org – 415-663-1158
MALT’s Hikes, Tours & Talks programs take you places most people never get to go, because farms and ranches are private property. Many tours take participants on to protected farm and ranch land – truly behind the scenes experience. Tours and events offered throughout their touring season which ends October 31st each year.
5. West Marin Food & Farm Tours – West Marin County
http://www.foodandfarmtours.com – 415-599-9222
West Marin Food & Farm Tours leads exclusive tasting tours to the best foodie destinations in West Marin. Savor the natural beauty and culinary excellence of this wonderful area. Advanced bookings required. Several tour options to highlight West Marin’s bountiful agriculture.