Visiting a pumpkin patch every autumn has become something of a tradition in our family. I must say though, before I even thought about having kids, I was that person who would go pumpkin picking with a group of girlfriends. So it may just be that my obsession has spread by osmosis to everyone around me.
There's just something so magical about getting food directly from the source.
Of course you don't have to go to a pumpkin patch to do this, but a pumpkin patch is the perfect setting for rekindling and or establishing this connection.
Autumn is a time of re- connection on so many levels in the sense that we're called to apple orchards and pumpkin patches. We return to the great outdoors, no longer hiding behind air conditioning. The air is crisp and cool inspiring us to move and be active. It's a season of hearty flavorful foods. Deep earth toned colors. Sweaters!
It's favorite time of the year. My New Year. My reset.
Autumn Agritourism: Support Your Local Farmers-
Last weekend, Mark and I got together with some dear friends and their kiddos and hit the pumpkin patch. This year we went to Middleton's Cedar Hill Farm.
Oh, holy pumpkin! In addition to rolling acres of hearty autumn crops, there were hayrides, animals, two corn mazes (one for kids and one for adults) a general store and a several play areas for the kiddos.
Like many working farms, Middleton's Cedar Hill Farm, relies on agritourism for a great deal of their income.
I'm not sure when agritourism became a catch phrase, but I do know that I enjoy it. You can become as immersed as you want. Some farms offer week long stays, weekend stays or the more typical orchard or harvesting day experience.
Two years ago around this time, I spent an amazing weekend near Woodstock milking cows. I still remember the warmth of the cows utters, the sound of my bucket filling to the brim. It was a beautiful experience. Whatever your preference, don't be shy and give agritourism a try. It's a great way to support your local farmers. Without farmers there is no food!
And if you're in southern Maryland you must give Middleton's Cedar Hill Farm a try!