Vermont third in “haycation” destinations

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Want to till the soil, pick some fruit or spin a little wool this summer on vacation? Check out Farm Stay U.S., a new venture that ranks “haycation” destinations and lists Vermont as the nation’s number-three spot to get away from it all while lending an agricultural hand. The site lists states and the number of farm-vacation listings they have. Topping the list was Pennsylvania with 73, followed by California with 52 and Vermont at 45.

“Farm vacations benefit both guests and hosts, providing needed income to small family farms and memorable, fun experiences for guests,” says Scottie Jones, a farmer in Alsea, Oregon, a farmer and founder of Farm Stay U.S. “Increasingly, people are longing to eat and support the growing of truly fresh foods and teach their kids that eggs come from chickens, not cartons.”

Farm Stay U.S. was founded in June 2010 and, Jones says, has become the largest online source for farm vacations in America, expanding to 721 listings. The number of farms, ranches and vineyards has more than doubled from the original 320 listings in 46 states when the site launched. The site identifies vacation options ranging from rustic cabins to four-star lodging, where activities range from feeding animals and picking fruit to spinning wool, riding horses, skiing and yoga.

Rounding out the top-10 list, with number of farm-vacation offerings in each, are: Wyoming, 42; Virginia, 38; North Carolina, 34; Montana, 33; Colorado, 31; Oregon, 26; and New York, 25. The rest of New England’s numbers are: Massachusetts, 17; Maine, 15; New Hampshire and Connecticut, six each; and Rhode Island, five.

A few New England offerings: Colonial Hill Alpaca Farm in Petersham, Mass., Simmons Organic Farm in Middletown, R.I., 7C Herb Garden B&B in Preston, Conn., Troika Drafts in Hebron, Maine, and Amazing Planet in Williamsville, Vermont.

For more information and complete list of states, visit www.farmstayus.com