Agritourism: defined most broadly, involves any agriculturally based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch.
Can you believe it? Here in Arizona? Yes, Agritourism is popping up all over Arizona.
FARM RICH COUNTRY that’s what they call Mesa. With its bountiful harvest, fresh experiences and a treasured heritage of family farms and long-standing festivals make for lasting memories. It’s like a culinary gateway to Phoenix and Scottsdale, the neighboring farms in and around Mesa are providing a bounty of seasonal goods for visitors to enjoy year-round. Citrus in January, Peaches in May, Olives in October. Travelers can time their visits to experience most romantic of settings and even meet Arizona winemakers.
- True Garden: True Garden is the first high-tech greenhouse in the U.S. capable of producing most cool-season food crops year-round even in the scorching desert. The temperatures reach 120 degrees during the day and 90 degrees at night during peak months, it uses little energy by utilizing smart and efficient technology to keep it at optimal temps affordable, day and night.
- Agritopia: This planned community offers a modern village life surrounding 11 acres of urban farmland, where a “tree-lined sidewalk leads you to a chef-driven restaurant, where creative spaces encourage craftsmanship, and where charming homes nestle close. Here, people live, work, eat, shop, create, and come together. This is home, however, you choose to define it.” It’s absolutely amazing.
- Queen Creek Olive Mill: Arizona’s only working olive farm and mill. Family owned and operated, our 100-acre farm with over 7000 olive trees is a true blossom to bottle experience. Visitors are able to learn first-hand how olives are pressed into fresh extra virgin olive oil, there are tours conducted daily. Tons of fun for the family.
- Schnepf Farms: A really fun place. Everything from “pick your own fruit” to Glamping, to Weddings and buying from the bakery, this is a fun farm. Don’t miss out on pretty much every holiday they are celebrating, and celebrating big.
- Hayden Flour Mill: It’s all about the flour. Hayden Flour Mills was started by a father-daughter and is run by a team to mill some of the world’s oldest ancient heritage grains using sustainable methods. They incorporate this method throughout the process, from seed to table. The mill is located on the farm where most of their grains are grown.
- The Windmill Winery: Not far from Phoenix and Tucson, the Windmill Winery is naturally beautiful and a historic setting for a wedding, or a night out with family and friends. It overlooks the Superstition Mountains, and you can sip a glass of Arizona-made wine from their breathtaking property. It sounds like a fun day trip to me.
Many of these farms and ranches offer tours and events. Check each website for availability and dates.
Related: Agritopia Farm Night