Taking the Kids: And staying on a farm

The Cassertas, unlike many of the farmers I met while working as a reporter in Iowa, never started out to raise chickens, cows and pigs, though they grew up here -- Jackie worked for a state agency, Chris in finance and his wife taught French.

Their parents bought the property when they got word that developers were eying the dilapidated dairy farm, and the rest, as they say, is history, with the farm growing every year. Finally, after six years and a lot of hard work, the farm began to show a profit. "This certainly wasn't in my life plan," laughed Caitlin Casserta, the mom of two young sons. But she couldn't be happier.

The website www.farmstayus.com lists some 950 farms, ranches and vineyards where you can visit and stay, sometimes paying under $100 a night for the privilege. (Rates here start at $195.) Even a stop at a farmer's market can encourage kids to try new foods and appreciate where their food comes from, first lady Michelle Obama said in a recent interview with TakingtheKids. (Find a farmer's market to visit at www.localharvest.org.)

The Inn at Valley Farms, though, offers a much richer experience whether you come in summer or another time of year. Not only does it offer a variety of animals and the chance to learn about sustainable farming, but it is idyllically kid-friendly, especially if you choose one of the cottages with a swing set and sandbox just outside, a kitchen to cook what you picked from the garden and the big brightly-painted playhouse next door where the kids can put on shows with farm animal puppets and learn a little about chickens, too.

"This is really great for kids growing up in the city who are cut off from the natural world," said Lisa Sack, visiting with her family from Brooklyn while her son attended a music camp nearby. "It's one thing to read about farms but to see it and walk through the fields and see the cows and chickens is a lot different."

"The piglets were pretty cool," agreed 13-year-old Gemma Sack.

If you're worried your kids will get bored -- or you will, don't be. One morning, we went across the road to pick blueberries and raspberries at Alyson's 500-acre Orchard http://www.alysonsorchard.com/alyson-orchards/).

There's hiking and biking -- even nearby Mt. Monadnock to climb, dairy farms and cheese makers to visit, and nearby farmer's markets like the large one in Brattleboro, Vt., with some 50 vendors. There are nearby swimming holes to explore in summer and places to snowshoe and cross-country ski in winter.

When we left, we packed our cooler with meat, chickens and eggs from the farm store.

"Come back soon," Jackie Casserta said, hugging us goodbye.

Enesi can't wait.

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It's not too late to plan a summer getaway. Check out the TakingtheKIds 51 Great Ideas For Your Summer Vacation. (http://www.takingthekids.com/travel-topics/summer-guide-to-fun) and also follow "taking the kids" on www.twitter.com, where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments.