The bountiful pumpkin patch, the ripe apple orchard, the crisp country air—a rural outing in the fall can be so invigorating. And if you are a parent living in an urban (or suburban) setting there’s nothing quite like seeing your young children make a connection with nature—whether it’s a walk in the woods, an afternoon at a nature reserve or, particularly at this time of year, a visit to a nearby farm. For the very young, it’s the thrill of seeing and even petting the animals. It’s also fun for the older kids, as well as a first-hand opportunity to discover more about where our food comes from. And for adults interested in making a more meaningful connection with their food supply than supermarket shopping, the harvest farm visit is incomparable.

Lots to do
Agritourism has been growing in popularity in recent years and is probably closer to home than you may think. Right across the U.S. farmers and ranchers are diversifying their working properties to augment profitability. There are many different types of farms open to the public, with a full range of sights, entertainment and experiences that can be classified into three basic agritourism types:

Direct-market agritourism: If you’ve ever pulled your car over and visited a roadside fresh-food stand, you’ve participated in direct-market agritourism. Products sold here are similar to the items you’ll find in the grocery store labeled organic or local, but this fare has the added distinction of clocking zero miles from the farm, which is likely providing the visual backdrop to the stand. It doesn’t get any fresher than that!

Educational agritourism: This is the operational farm marketed as a tourist destination—everything from pick-your-own fruit set-ups to a guided farm tours to accommodation packages that offer guests a comprehensive, around-the-clock education in farm or ranch life. (Think City Slickers.) Whether, as an agritourist, you pay to pick your own strawberries, attend wine tastings at a vineyard or simply soak up a dairy farm atmosphere, the draw is the immersion of the experience. The added benefit to the farmer? Visitors acquainted with the farm and its practices may become more inclined to buy its products on a regular basis (if it’s practical to do so).

Recreational agritourism: This is the type of agritourism you’ll likely seek as an outing for the whole family. Savvy farmers create extensive corn mazes, build hay-bale launchers, set-up haunted hayrides or throw open their gates to the public for a range of activities from harvest festivals to less agriculturally based attractions such as horseback riding, archery or even fall camping.

Chances are, the farm visit will mean you’re away from home for the better part of a day. While most agritourism is built on eating (or at least sampling) homegrown fare, every road trip presents the temptation of fast-food stops along the way. Avoid defeating the purpose of the outing: complete what should be a wholesome and inexpensive day by bringing refreshments from home with the help of Rubbermaid. Homemade goodies—sandwiches and healthy snacks—can be transported in Take-Alongs containers; beverages can be brought in On-the-go Bottles or Portable Jugs; and all of your supplies can make the trip in Rubbermaid Coolers.

Where are these fun farms? The link below to the outdoor world directory is a start, but if there’s very little in here that’s within reasonable proximity to where you live, try your local listings: http://www.agsites.net/links/farmvisits.html.