Family Farms and Fun Weekend suggestion
Our food grows in little Styrofoam containers and “sprouts” on grocery shelves, right? In a time when most people have never set foot on a farm, there is a new movement to learn where food comes from and experience rural ways of life.
Natural North Florida is full of great agri-tourism venues that let "City folk" experience life in real rural farms and agricultural settings.
Day 1:
Start at any of the area farmer's markets. Open seasonally, most have great produce, baked goods and live music.
Admission to Mill Creek Farm (Retirement Home for Horses) is 2 carrots, but you may want to bring a bunch and stroll the beautiful equine sanctuary between Alachua and High Springs. Then head to Floyd's Diner on 441 in High Springs.
For the afternoon head to either the Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville or the Greathouse Butterfly Farm in Earlton, or both if you're feeling adventuresome!
Day 2: Next head over to Dudley Farms Historic State Park on State Road 26 west of Gainesville to see how life on an 18th century farm was lived. The family can shuck corn, feed chickens and help out with farm chores.
Head just a little more west and have a late lunch at Newberry's Backyard Barbecue for some down home cookin'. Depending on the time of year, there are several U-Pick Farms to try that afternoon, to take home a bit of local food.
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