kezele rural tourism estate

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Seoski turizam Kezele – Kezele tourist farm by Janko & Drago Kezele; Croatia

Meeting place of good people, great food and fine wine.

A place where Kezele family safeguarded rural architecture, antiquities and recipes of their ancestors. A place where great food is produced and served at the same spot.

The Kezele family founded this farm tourism based on the family tradition of winemaking and preparing traditional dishes of Croatia’s countryside. The estate showcases 8 traditional wooden houses and stables around 100 years old which form a small picturesque village. The experience of a true rural farm is rounded off by a scenic view of vineyards, a barn with domestic animals and an ethnographic collection with amazing antiquities.

This estate has something for every visitor. Wine lovers will visit the cellar and meet the indigenous Moslavina grape variety Škrlet, children will fall in love with the playground and the regional breed of horses, while active visitors will walk or cycle through the woods to the lake.

The farm has been a perfect setup for many unique experiences such as children summer camps, music videos, business events, live broadcasts etc. Kezele Farm Tourism is a place designed to be an oasis of countryside beauties adjusted to a modern traveller.

SEOSKI TURIZAM KEZELE – KEZELE TOURIST FARM Authors of the story/idea: Janko & Drago Kezele Investors/owners: Janko & Drago Kezele Location: Šumećani, Ivanić-Grad, Moslavina, Zagreb County, Croatia Project start: 2019

Zagreb County Tourist Board

Homepage » Kezele

• Excursion sites , Accommodation

One of the first rural households in these parts is a fairytale Moslavina estate that leaves no one indifferent. The main asset is excellent local food, wines and brandies from our production, and there is also a spacious yard and a children's playground, as well as creative content such as rides in country wagons.

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Let's Go to the Kezele Farm: A Place That Will Awaken all Your Senses!

WRITTEN BY:

Luxury Living Croatia

Kazele Farm is located in the beautiful green Moslavina. A place that gathers good people and aims to preserve old customs and recipes. A place where the scent of homemade food spreads around and delicious wine is being tasted. A place where  Moslavina  tells its rich story.

The Kezele family founded their farm in the small village of Šumećani in Moslavina . The name of this region originates from the time of the Croatian kingdom, from the Mons Claudius mountain, today known as the Moslavačka Gora. This mountain range merges with the southern wetlands of Lonsko Polje, creating a very distinctive region, rich in biodiversity and cultural and historical heritage. The moment you enter  Kezele Farm , you will understand why this is the ideal place for a carefree vacation with children. Horse riding, playground, barn, and pastures with domestic animals... can't get any better, right? But that's not all; Kezele Farm is perfect for the whole family !

On Kezele Farm, you get to enjoy their 100-year-old authentic wooden houses . In these adorable homes, you can try several types of fine wines and dishes inspired by local gastronomy. Also, in addition to the gastronomic offer, you can relax and enjoy the peaceful view of seductive vineyards. There is a total of five houses, all ideal for families. They consist of a large living room with a beautiful fireplace, and three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, kitchen, and terrace with a view of the beautiful Moslavina mountains.

Photo credit:

Kezele Family Farm

Wine and Rakijas

Moslavina is home to a fantastic wine called Škrlet , which is, you guessed it, grown at Kezele Farm . Apart from Škrlet, you can enjoy tasting Graševina, Chardonnay, Yellow Muscat, Rhine Riesling, Merlot, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon . When approaching the estate, a magical view of the vineyards captures your attention and going to see the cellar is a cherry on top. In addition to wine, you can try various brandies and liqueurs made with fruits from Moslavina orchards. Plum brandy, Travarica or Klekovača, and liqueurs made of strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, and honey all sound fantastic!

Homemade Cuisine That Nourishes Your Body and Soul

We often hear the phrase "food for the soul," and this is precisely what can be felt and experienced at Kezele Farm. Food is prepared from local ingredients characteristic of this region. For appetizers, you can try mushroom, chicken, and beef soups or various kinds of cheese, hams, garlic, and blood sausages. For the main course, it will be really hard for you to choose. Kotlovina (meat, sausages and vegetables are slowly simmered for hours in a big metal plate over an open fire), various dishes under the peka, Moslavina style venison, or carp on forks .

Marča Forest Educational Path

If you're a fan of long strolls through the forest, we definitely recommend the Marča forest educational path . This path is located on the western slopes of the Moslavina mountain range, right next to Kezele Farm . The length of the trail is 3km, and the starting point is 180m above sea level with a gentle descent of 100m to the swamp and lake Sudarice. A slightly hilly path, it is very easy to walk, and you can fully enjoy the sightseeing. Surrounded by beautiful trees, it offers information boards that introduces you to flora and fauna. This walk will be an exceptional experience for children as well. We would like to mention lake Sudarice, where two forest streams flow into it. If you want to sit down, relax and absorb this beauty, you can! The trail has four resting spots next to the lake and the swamp. Here you can enjoy the chirping of birds and enjoy the sights of beaver dams, wild ducks, fish, and swans.

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Rural tourism Kezele

Kezele family farm is located on the edge of the woods and tame brežulkjaste Marco. The property is surrounded by beautiful nature: forests, meadows, fields, orchards and vineyards, and is particularly nice view of the mountain Moslavačka.

Kezele family farm is located on the edge of the woods and tame brežulkjaste Marco. The property is surrounded by beautiful nature: forests, meadows, fields, orchards and vineyards, and is particularly nice view of the mountain Moslavačka. Moslavačke up on the slopes where the vineyards are planted in Roman times to process 5.5 hectares of vineyards, producing home-made wine, brandy and liqueurs. We have a cellar with a capacity 40.000 liters, which is equipped with high-end technology for the production of wine.

On our property we have a great old barn in which breed horses, goats, sheep, pigs, ducks, geese, turkeys and chickens. There is an old wooden house which is located ethnological collection of old objects and artifacts. On the property there are two old houses decorated like a restaurant in selska style in which the guests prepare local dishes and we serve our wines.

From dishes that are made with only the domestic preparations we recommend:

• homemade appetizers: cookies, gibanica, pumpkin cake, cheese (especially goat), ham, bacon, sausages (especially the garlic-sausages), greaves, pate and spreads.
• homemade mushroom soup, vegetables, chicken, chicken and beef
• family baking (kotlovina) kare, chicken fillet, garlic-sausages and krvavica with scalloped potatoes, beans, mushrooms and vegetables. (a traditional family meal - the family owns pečenjarski plate from the 1800-ies!)
• food under the lid
• kid, veal and pork shank with potatoes and vegetables
• dishes with roasted goose and raca with mlinci, local lamb and chicken
• grilled dishes neck, brisket, sausage and barbecue loin with peppers, mushrooms grilled and boiled potatoes.
• turkey cutlet stuffed with cheese, ham and mushrooms with mashed potatoes and Riza-bizijem
• venison in a sauce of mushrooms with Žganca, hajdenom dumplings and mash.
• carp and carp cooked in wine with potatoes and vegetables
• Vegetarian roast all the vegetables from the family garden (zdarava food on the way gazdaričin)

Wine Cellar

In its own and very well equipped facility for the production and storage of wine can produce more kinds of wines - from dry, to polusuhih barique.

Moslavačka produce wines:

• Skrlet (moslavačka autochthonous species)
• Frankovka barique

For customers organize tour of the winery and wine tasting.

Tropic manufacture of brandy, plum brandy, and travarica, and prepare them fully natural walnut liqueur, cherries, blackberries, pears, grapes, hawthorn, drain, honey, wormwood, fruit trees and other plants.

Recreation and entertainment

Arranged on the lawn can play football, volleyball, basketball, badminton and frontiersman. On a separate space can play table tennis. Children can swing, swing, climb and play games. With the tourist map organize walking and bicycle paths through the landscaped hilly woods, vineyards and meadows. Our native horses posavci carriage ride through the forest and village. We offer you riders horses for recreational riding.

Lovers can enjoy shooting with bow and arrow or hanging bowling alley.Organize a balloon flight at an altitude of 500 to 1000 meters with the first flight ceremony of baptism.

Guests can have fun with music and dance tamburaše.

Accommodation

After a pleasant day, good food and even better drinks, long run times is not an option. We have prepared a total of 9 rooms with 22 beds. We offer you the choice of single, double, triple and quadruple rooms are furnished and equipped for your maximum enjoyment and relaxation.

The rooms are categorized with three stars and some are furnished with furniture older than 100 years.

Recreational riding

Riding in the manege on our economy for beginners to advanced riding a beautiful hilly nature through forests, meadows and vineyards, is a unique opportunity to meet Moslavina in a different way! Organized accommodation (hotel for horses), and care for horses.

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Zagreb Day Trips: Discover Moslavina at Kezele Farm

• by croatiaweek
• June 11, 2022

Drago Kezele and his son, Janko Kezele

By Kaja Korbar Olcott

For many years, the Dalmatian coast was the gem of Croatia’s tourism industry. In the past decade, visitors have spent more time exploring various parts of Croatia’s mainland. Luckily for those who are visiting or living in Zagreb, there are many exciting destinations that can be experienced during a short day trip.

Just 45 minutes away from the capital lies Kezele Farm—a family-run restaurant, farm, vineyard, and guesthouse. Kezele serves both as a relic and a living celebration of the tastes and traditions of the Moslavina region.  

Most notably, Kezele grows an indigenous wine varietal—Škrlet—and is known for a hearty countryside dish called kotlovina. The name derives from the unique vessel in which the foods are prepared, resembling an upside-down, broad-brimmed hat providing all the benefits of a grill and a cauldron in one. Cooks patiently stand for hours over the hot coals, watching for the exact moment to add or remove various meats and vegetables.  

We spoke with the current owner, Janko Kezele, about this unique agritourism destination and what it offers visitors looking to escape from fast-paced city life into a more bucolic setting.  

Kotlovina dish in preparation

Share with us the history of Kezele. When was it founded? Who runs the business today?

Kezele Farm was founded on a family tradition of cooking a local dish called kotlovina. My grandparents used to prepare this dish in the 1960s and 1970s every Saturday morning at the local market. Some 20 years ago, my parents opened a restaurant and built a winery.

Today I run the farm, and my parents are still active in wine-making, gardening, and pottery-making. On the farm, we’ve preserved ten traditional country houses and stables in which we can accommodate almost 50 guests. There is also a big souvenir shop where we sell local products, a walking trail to the lake through the forest, and a stable with horses and other animals.

Some of the animals at Kezele

What is it about the culture and cuisine of the Moslavina region that set it apart from the rest of Croatia?

Moslavina is a small region, it is not famous, but I believe it has great potential. In the middle of the region, there is Moslavina hill, probably the oldest hill in Croatia. We have a unique indigenous grape variety called Škrlet, the biggest protected swamp in Europe, and beautiful wooden architecture.

The cuisine is mostly influenced by Austro-Hungarian traditions and local countryside customs. The people of Moslavina are very active in farming. I think it has a strong effect on local cuisine.

How has agritourism evolved over the years?

Agritourism in Croatia started some twenty years ago mostly on farms surrounding Zagreb and in Istria. In the beginning, these farms were considered day-trip destinations, but recently the number of people interested in spending their holidays on the farm is growing.

The quality of service is improving and tourists are more oriented towards experiences connecting nature, health, and unique local traditions.

The seasons and the climate are changing. How has that affected Kezele? What sustainable practices do you employ?  

Climate change is affecting our wine production. Summers are hotter and drier. Extreme weather conditions are more   frequent—frost, ice, and longer periods of wet or dry weather. Our harvest is at least two weeks earlier than before. Generally, we have less water which also leaves our meadows dry in some parts of the year.  

We try to be efficient and sustainable, but there is still a lot to do. We do sort our waste and partly use water from our wells. We don’t use fertilizers in our farming, but horse manure instead. We raise our animals free-range. In the future, we have plans for installing solar panels for electricity.

Tell us about your vineyard and the wine that you grow. How would you describe Škrlet to people who are not familiar with the variety?  

In our vineyard, we have planted 21,000 vines. We not only produce wines for our guests, but we also sell our wine in Zagreb and on the coast. White grapes are more common in this part of Croatia, so we mostly produce white wine. Škrlet is the star of the whole Moslavina region and it has become a trendy wine in the Croatian wine market. It is a light wine with flowery and fruity aromas. People enjoy it on their first try. It’s a gentle and well-balanced wine for many occasions.

Janko and his parents Dobrila and Drago with IVE singing group in traditional attire

What other products come directly from your property that visitors can enjoy?

Wine is our main product, but we also make our own brandies and liqueurs, pasta, sausages, jam, bread, and pottery. We raise horses, pigs, sheep, and goats on our farm.

What is your Moslovački Stol?  

Moslavački stol is a special regional style of buffet service. It is moslavački because of three reasons: the food is served on kotlovina plates, ingredients come from Moslavina and dishes served are traditionally prepared in Moslavina. We serve it for lunch every Saturday, Sunday and on national holidays. It includes two types of soup, some 15 main courses, and a dessert. The price is 135 kn per person.

What are your most popular dishes?  

The most popular dish is kotlovina, then wild boar, duck, and of course our buffet, Moslavački stol. People also ask for carp roasted on sticks and pork from a special type of black pig that we raise on the farm.

Do you offer any vegan or vegetarian options?

We always try to make our guests happy, so we are ready for all different diets. There are many vegetarian and a few vegan dishes on our menu. Our most popular vegetarian dishes are buckwheat burgers with dill sauce, local pasta with mushrooms, zucchini polpettes, roasted sweet potato, and more.

View out to the vineyards

Aside from dining, what activities do you offer on your property?

The most popular activity is not so “active”–it’s wine tasting. We also offer cooking and pottery workshops. Guests can go horseback riding, rent bicycles, or go for a treasure hunt throughout our property. On the farm, we preserved many old countryside items that we present in our small museum. We try to preserve tradition and keep it alive for our guests to enjoy firsthand!

Tourists visiting Kezele

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Etnographic Exibit Kezele

Description

Every visitor to Ivanić Grad and rural tourism Kezele must not miss the ethno collection of the Kezele family with about 4000 antiques!

The Kezele family has preserved family antiquities, and since it began to engage in rural tourism, the collection has been constantly increasing. Today, the farm houses five old houses from 1880, 1910, 1922, 1930, and 1936, as well as two old barns from the 1930s and a cornfield. Among the agricultural tools on the farm there are old plows, plows, harrows, wine presses, etc., and many household items such as chips, mills, lamps, etc. About 5,000 valuable old items are exhibited in the barn, barn, parma, restaurant, in the yard and in the rooms where you can see them. The family is constantly paying attention to increasing the choice and number of rural items.

Every visitor to Ivanić Grad and rural tourism Kezele must not miss the ethno collection of the Kezele family with about 4000 antiques! The Kezele family has preserved family antiquities, and since it began to engage in rural tourism, the collection has been constantly increasing. Today, the farm houses five old houses from 1880, 1910, 1922, 1930, and 1936, as well as two old barns from the 1930s and a cornfield. Among the agricultural tools on the farm there are old plows, plows, harrows, wine... Read more

Vinogradska ulica 6, Šumećani, Croatia

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TOP 10 places for a family vacation

The desire to get away from the city for a while is a perfectly natural feeling. Especially if you have a family. In choosing an excursion site to spend the day with the family, several different criteria need to be met. Above all, peace, greenery and an idyllic landscape. Not too isolated, and not too wild. Somewhere for children to play and explore, somewhere for parents to rest and socialize, and somewhere to stop for a great bite to eat and something to drink. Everyone wants a great experience to end the week, without having to go very far. Zagreb’s “green ring” offers an abundance of areas that are perfect for comfortable family moments, from passive to active.

Mirnovec Ethno farm

At the very entrance to the town of Samobor a new estate has been developed where it looks as though time has stood still. Authentic wooden houses have been carefully transported, restored and fitted, to create the pleasant appearance of quiet village life. There is a traditional restaurant and equestrian club, and many spots to enjoy a get away from the buzz of city life.

Stari mlin wine hut

On this peaceful estate just outside of Ivanić-Grad, surrounded by vineyards and hills, the mill is no longer in function though there are more than enough activities for guests to enjoy. From walks, sport, fishing, visiting the animals and participating in rural tasks. Be sure to enjoy the flavours of the homestyle cuisine prepared on site.

Divlje vode (Wild Waters) bio park

The Bregana stream flows gently through this spacious family excursion area situated within Žumberak Nature Park, giving this area a special feeling. Fresh brook trout are farmed here, which you can try for yourself at the fish ponds. Let the children run loose and play on the meadows, playgrounds or visit the small zoo.The Bregana stream flows gently through this spacious family excursion area situated within Žumberak Nature Park, giving this area a special feeling. Fresh brook trout are farmed here, which you can try for yourself at the fish ponds. Let the children run loose and play on the meadows, playgrounds or visit the small zoo.

Kezele rural tourism

One of the first rural estates to open to the public is this magical estate in the Moslavina hills, which is sure to leave an impression on you. This estate stands out for its excellent homemade dishes, wines and spirits produced on site. Children can enjoy the vast grounds and playground, or enjoy some of the activities offered such as carriage rides. The atmosphere is rustic, and the estate has been equipped with a great dose of style and charm.

Cowboy excursion estate

Imagine a grand ranch surrounded by nature, in the Cowboys and Indians style. Here children can let their imagination run wild as they ride on horseback, and the barbeque delicacies are sure to round out the successful transposition of the Wild West onto the gentle slopes of the Vukomerička Gorica hills.

Kršlinov mill

This remote rural estate in the Žumberak foothills literally stands on a stream, at the site of an old watermill. The silence is broken only by the sounds of the farm animals and the burbling water, while the trout – a local delicacy that the hosts prepare in a number of ways – literally jump from the spring onto the plate.

Kraš Ecopark

This large park with a lake, pool and numerous playgrounds is heaven for children wanting to enjoy activities outdoors, though adults will also find many things to do here. The restaurant and bungalows for accommodations round out the offer of this true rural estate near Pisarovina.

Dva potoka (Two Streams) excursion area

In a relaxed atmosphere, at this large rural estate near the town of Zaprešić, children can spend time with farm animals and play on the playground, while parents recharge and enjoy traditional meals. The burbling brooks additionally relax all the senses.

Stara preša (Old press) rural estate

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Repro eco farm

This would be just another idyllic rural estate if it were not focused only on the vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. In addition to getting closer to nature in the best possible way, at the Repar family farm near the centre of Jastrebarsko, you can also learn first hand about how food is grown according to organic principles. And try it, of course.

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Celebrating St Vincent and Wine in Great Zagreb Day Trip at Kezele Rural Tourism

Total Croatia News

Updated on: May 15, 2023

The traditional blessing of St. Vincent took part in vineyards all over Croatia on January 21, 2017. TCN spent the day at one of the most hospitable day trips from Zagreb, at Kezele Rural Tourism near Ivanic Grad. 

Many of Croatia’s vineyards remain under snow, but that did not deter the annual celebration of St. Vinent in many vineyards all over Croatia, a symbolic blessing to mark the start of the new agricultural cycle in the vineyards, and while the weather may have been a little too cold for that, there was nothing cold about the festivities themselves. Having kindly received several invites from wineries in different parts of Croatia, TCN accepted the first invitation which came our way – Kezele Rural Tourism, a 45-minute drive east of Zagreb, for a weekend of wine tradition and a LOT of family fun.  

Flanked by the Kezele owners and a huntsman ready to fire a shot in the air, the bishop gave a short speech before blessing the young vines.

According to tradtion, the vineyards hang certain types of charcutterie (either air-dried sausages or in Slavonia more often a kulen, similarly tasting but larger in size product made from ground meat and paprika) on one of the vines, in order to help the vines produce large grapes when time comes. The idea with kulen is that they ask St. Vincent to make their grapes as large as the kulen on that year. 

The bishop liberally throws some of last year’s wine over the pieces of meat and young vines, before some vines are pruned.

These are then put in water and monitored for signs of early budding, and indications that it will be a bumper year.

The occasion was marked by the huntsman firing off a volley into the chilly January sky. And he was kind enough to give TCN a two-second perfomance of his hunting horn in action.

But the real music belonged to the Tamburasi quartet, who livened up proceedings considerably, first in the snow outside, and later through the entire day and into the night inside the resaurant.

His official dutied completed, the bishop was happy to pose for photos with Kezele’s very impressive snowman. And it was time to head inside and learn more about the legendary Kezele hospitality.  

It may have been sub-zero temperatures outside (and the excellent mulled wine helped keep the cold at bay), but there was no doubting the warmth inside, as it was time to eat.  

But not before an aperitif or three. The Kezele range of home-made products and locally sourced goods is impressive indeed. 

And there was little chance of going hungry, with the signature Moslovacki Stol (a hot buffet offering of the region’s specialities, playing centre stage. 

And while the adults relaxed inside, there was an opportunity for the little ones to play, child and child beast alike. 

What started out as one man’s idea to make and sell a little wine has mushroomed over the decades into arguably Croatia’s top rural tourism destination, a combination of great traditional food, authentic accommodation, and a range of activities and exhibits accompanied by pristine nature which truly takes one out of the modern world and into a time long gone. Kezele has proved popular with incentive groups to school trips (and has an important educational function to perform to the modern child about how life once was, and not very long ago), and is an ideal family destination, with something for everyone. Typically over an average weekend, there will be 200 people a day for lunch.  

A place where the kids can be at one with animals.  

Some of whom are happy to join in the fun and play.  

Not content with having built such an outstanding business, the Kezele team has also invested in the destination by adding additional attractions in the surrounding areas, including the creation of a lake in the nearby woods.  

An ideal way to burn off a few calories after a little overindulgence, and a great way for the kids to explore a little more of natural Croatia. 

Kezele has produced a very nice two kilometre walking trail around the lake, offering a different experience according to the season, and one lined with educational info boards on the wildlife to be found around. It certainly caught the attention of these two little explorers… 

Alone with nature in Croatia in January. The lake, like much of the country, was frozen over.  

If there is one thing that characterises the Kezele experience, it is hard work, the realisation of one man’s dream (ably assisted by his family) to build such an impressive facility, and it was heartening to see that diligence and determination has trickled down the generations – above, the grandson of the Kezele founder, trudging through the snow with some prized firewood for Grandpa.  

And, after a busy day of nature, sledding and all round fun, what better way to finish than pancakes by the fire?

To learn more about Kezele Rural Tourism, visit the official website .

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Krulčić, T. (2022). Ruralni turizam Zagrebačke županije s posebnim osvrtom na Seoski turizam Kezele (Specijalistički diplomski stručni). Zagreb: Poslovno veleučilište Zagreb. Preuzeto s https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:180:543788

Krulčić, Tea. "Ruralni turizam Zagrebačke županije s posebnim osvrtom na Seoski turizam Kezele." Specijalistički diplomski stručni, Poslovno veleučilište Zagreb, 2022. https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:180:543788

Krulčić, T. (2022). 'Ruralni turizam Zagrebačke županije s posebnim osvrtom na Seoski turizam Kezele', Specijalistički diplomski stručni, Poslovno veleučilište Zagreb, citirano: 26.05.2024., https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:180:543788

Krulčić T. Ruralni turizam Zagrebačke županije s posebnim osvrtom na Seoski turizam Kezele [Specijalistički diplomski stručni]. Zagreb: Poslovno veleučilište Zagreb; 2022 [pristupljeno 26.05.2024.] Dostupno na: https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:180:543788

T. Krulčić, "Ruralni turizam Zagrebačke županije s posebnim osvrtom na Seoski turizam Kezele", Specijalistički diplomski stručni, Poslovno veleučilište Zagreb, Zagreb, 2022. Dostupno na: https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:180:543788

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Residential, international, buyers & sellers, join our team, transforming rural farmland into agritourism destinations: a closer look at innovative land use.

Unlock the potential of rural farmland with agritourism, boosting land value and community engagement.

All signs indicate farmland to be one of the best real estate ventures, given current markets. Significant investment funds are  hedging their bets against rising inflation  by purchasing U.S. farm real estate in massive volumes.

Given that the average value of all land and buildings on farms was around  $4,080 per acre  in 2023 (a 7.4% increase over 2022), it makes sense that these properties are looking more attractive to buyers. People want the peace of the small town, but also the possibility of building wealth.

While investment firms and small families may be browsing rural real estate for future ventures, an often-overlooked industry is equally on the rise – agritourism. The ability to create multi-faceted businesses using farmland is appealing to a broad range of owners and entrepreneurs and could mark a renaissance in U.S. farming.

What is Agritourism?

A farm, by any other name, is still a farm. However, when you add diversified pursuits like wineries, hayrides, hunting vacations, or even a locally grown farm stand, you enter the realm of agritourism. This is where tourism and agriculture combine into a commercial enterprise designed to attract people to your farm without sacrificing the ability to grow or cultivate crops, cattle, or other commodities.

Landowners love agritourism because it adds a lot of extra funding to property values. In 2022 alone, the national agritourism industry was valued at  $58.8 billion  and is expected to reach $100 billion by 2028.

Unique Ways to Integrate Agritourism into Farm Real Estate

As you can imagine, there are endless ways to bring agritourism into a community. This style of rural real estate cultivation and investing follows the same basic premise as the famous line from  Field of Dreams  – “if you build it, they will come.” 

Let’s look closer at some of the trends in agritourism already taking hold in the industry.

Eco-Friendly Farming Experiences

Agritourism already focuses on the safe, effective, and natural processes of food production. Many in the sustainable and regenerative tourism field want to learn more about lowering their carbon footprint through promoting such eco-friendly activities.

An excellent example is having rental properties or land available for RV/Campers to board overnight for free as long as the tourist completes some essential farmwork. You are trading time for services, lowering your labor requirement.

Another way to incorporate regenerative tourism is setting aside parts of your rural farmland for community gardens. You can charge a small amount per segment to earn income while helping your community foster greater food independence and an appreciation for the land.

Wellness & Health Tourism

Here is probably where you’ll find the most agritourism happening right now. Imagine an extraordinarily long table under a canopy weighed down by farm-to-table food, drinks, and centerpieces. Hosting these dinners is a wonderful way for farms to increase income, utilize grown assets, and connect with more people through viral social media posts.

The goal of wellness and health tourism is to focus on relaxation while boosting sensory pleasure and natural environment integration. That is why you see so many farms with Goat Yoga, Wine & Art nights, or retreat spaces for meditation experiences. These allow people living in fast-paced urban environments to reconnect with the land while filling the pockets of landowners.

Leisure & Recreation

The broadest category of agritourism falls into all those engaging activities that “make sense” for the farm real estate. This could be anything from horseback sled rides in the winter to corn mazes in the fall.

The goal here is to infuse your farmland with tours, restaurants, stays, markets, and attractions that bring in more tourism and infuse the agricultural purist with much-needed funds. Popular options often include:

• Pick your own harvest
• Petting farms
• Education programs for local schools
• Glamping experiences and day camps
• Wine and brewery tours
• Agricultural festivals and fairs
• Cooking and food preservation classes
• Workshops (beekeeping, organic gardening, etc.)
• Fishing, hunting, and aquaculture tours
• And so much more

There is even a call for some farms to incorporate environmental protection activities. Given that the current Farm Bill offers  voluntary incentive programs  for landowners to preserve and restore wildlife habitat, there could be a move toward preservation as part of agritourism.

Event Spaces

If you are already investing in farm real estate, it may be beneficial to proactively set aside certain areas and buildings for event spaces. Wedding venues, community dances, and even pop-up concerts are all popular opportunities for farm owners.

There was even a  farm in Vermont  that hosts a massive sunflower maze during the summer months. This brought in $15 a head across 2 ½ manicured acres. The farm went a step further and created special booking sessions for photoshoots (engagement, wedding, graduation, family, etc.) that charged hundreds of dollars.

Run the numbers for a moment. Let’s say 200 people a day visit the maze or about $3,000 in revenue. Then, the average farm stand purchase is $10 per family of four, which would be about another $250 (and that is on the low side). Then, you have two scheduled photoshoots at $50 each for a single day. In total, that is $3,350 on an average  day  for that farm.

If only half of the 121 days from June 1st to September 30th are sunny, that is over $200,000 in additional revenue to a farm. That is life changing income for a rural community.  

When you combine this attraction with event spaces, a farm stand, and land set aside for camping/glamping, that small town farm suddenly becomes a lucrative agritourism business with high potential revenue.

Wrapping Up

Agritourism is a useful method of increasing the potential value of a given rural real estate property. It expands the ability of landowners and operators to reach the community, engage with more consumers, and double or triple annual profits.

The industry is growing so rapidly that even the  USDA has included a resource page  on its website to help those interested in agritourism achieve greater success. Considering the growing number of  younger generations wanting to get out of the city  and reconnect with the land, agritourism is a viable way to breathe new life into rural communities.

You never know when that 5-acre piece of land in Montana, Idaho, or Ohio could suddenly become a community mainstay filled with fresh foods, welcome housing, and annual activities that fuel economic growth.

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The British have been entranced by the Italian countryside for centuries – remember the scene in A Room With A View when Lucy Honeychurch falls in love in a field of violets in Tuscany? Suppose you could both live there and make a living from it? If that sounds like paradise, you need to think about “agritourism”, where a working farm offers holiday accommodation.

You can find farms that offer cooking classes, where you can learn how to cook classic Italian cuisine.

What is agritourism?

In layman’s terms it is where holidays are offered on a working farm to generate additional income. The types of farms can vary, but most are set in gorgeous scenery of olive groves, vineyards, orchards, or even fields of violets. Guest rooms are usually found in the farm house, or converted farm buildings close by.

In 2015 a survey from Istat.it found that 22,238 farms have been registered to provide accommodation, an increase of 2.3 percent on the previous year. More than 1,600 new farms were licensed as rural tourism businesses last year. With well over 4,000 properties, Tuscany has a long tradition of offering agritourism breaks, as does the province of Bolzano in the north with over 3,000 farms.

Rooms with views of the Italian countryside. DiegoMariottini / Shutterstock.com

With the men often working the traditional farming operation, one in three such businesses are managed by the female members of the family. Traditional Italian cooking is often part of the charm, especially if using eggs, vegetables, meat, cheese, wine and olive oil from the farm. You can even find farms that offer cooking classes, where you can learn how to cook classic Italian cuisine.

Visitors may be invited to experience life working on the farm, by helping to pick grapes, olives, fruit and vegetables, or collect the eggs from the chickens. Your host may also organise tastings of typical products local to the area, such as cheese and wine.

Other activities on offer

Over 10,000 farms offer extra activities, often linked to the territory in which they are located; giving tourists an authentic Italian experience, while enhancing the cultural heritage of the region. You may be introduced to local music, art, traditions and festivals; as well being offered outdoor activities such as cycling, horse riding, hiking, quad biking and painting – allowing you to fully enjoy your rural surroundings.

Holidays in Italian farms are particularly popular with families wanting to enjoy the outdoors together, far from the stresses of home

Rural holidays are particularly popular with families wanting to enjoy the outdoors together, away from the stresses of life back home – swapping schools and offices for nature. Even on an off-season autumn break you can go on walks and bicycle rides together; looking for mushrooms, autumn leaves, pine cones and chestnuts.

Most people hire a car and explore the local villages, markets and food fairs, such as the International Fair of White Truffles in Alba – 8th October to 27th November – which attracts thousands of tourists from Italy and abroad every year.

Starting an agritourism business

To be registered as an agritourism farm you need to demonstrate that you are a farmer cultivating the land, conducting forestry or animal husbandry. The next steps require you to obtain authorisation from the local city authorities – the procedures and documents can vary from region to region.

If you are planning to buy an Italian farm in Tuscany, Umbria or Veneto it won’t simply do to purchase any old farm.

Much like the UK you are also required to complete a number of standard procedures prior to establishing a tourism operation: such as registering for VAT, opening a Tax account, registering with the Chamber of Commerce as a rural tourism operator, obtaining permission from the mayor to install road signs, receive approval from the fire department, adhering to health and safety legislation, payment of waste tax and seeking membership of a trade association.

If you are planning to buy an Italian farm in Tuscany, Umbria or Veneto it won’t simply do to purchase any old farm. You will need to conduct extensive research and find a property with “agritourism potential” that will generate an income. Consider whether a property has the character and features that tourists love and a location that offers activities such as walking and cycling trails, national parks, wineries, pretty villages, restaurants and markets.

Finally, checkout how many agritourism farms are in the area and what they are offer by visiting them. Don’t forget to find out how full their rental calendars are. Once you have found a property that ticks all the boxes, you could be set for a rewarding outdoors lifestyle that you can share with your enthusiastic guests.

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What Can Small Town America Offer Homebuyers?

Seeking both affordability and a sense of purpose? A small town may be the best option for your next home.

What Can a Small Town Offer Homebuyers?

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From reasonable prices to a greater sense of community, there's a lot to discover in many of America's small towns.

Do you dream of buying a home in one of those little towns from the Hallmark movies? Trading the chaos of urban living for something calmer, timeless and, most importantly, less expensive? If you do, you’re not alone.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, the population of small-town America is growing once again. From 2010 to 2016, rural net migration, the number that shakes out when you combine the number of people leaving with the number of people coming into a place, was negative. But in 2017, something changed – it approached zero, meaning small towns weren’t hemorrhaging citizens anymore. Much to everyone’s surprise, by 2020, rural net migration had gone positive.  

Living in a Small Town Brings a Sense of Community

Since the pandemic, housing prices have changed dramatically, and this is driving a lot of people to move from urban centers to rural towns within reasonable commuting distance of their jobs. But these newly minted small-town occupants aren’t just there for the lower real estate prices.

“I think we’re more aware of the importance of community,” says Matt Wagner, chief program officer at Main Street America, an organization focused on strengthening downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. “When we weren't coming out of our homes in early 2020, and we weren't connected with our neighbors and our fellow citizens, that was a big eye-opener for folks. In urban areas, when the stores and businesses were closed, it became pretty obvious that connection to our community was a missing part of the quality of life there. I think that has helped to accelerate interest in passion for our rural downtowns.”

So what happens in the downtown of a small town? A lot more than you might think. Along with special events, revitalized rural downtowns have become places where you can meet your neighbors on neutral ground.

“Our community has really put an intentional focus in the last three years on the downtown district, making it more of a destination and making it more of an inclusive space,” says Sarah Angst, executive director of the nonprofit Downtown Lebanon in Lebanon, Missouri. “Downtown allows people of all age ranges and all belief systems to come together in a neutral space where we can all enjoy what makes us a community.”

This is not the small town you grew up in in the 20th century. Small towns across the country are working hard to get people involved in starting up new traditions and purposefully creating an environment that is special and important to everyone who lives there.

In four short years, Ashland, Ohio, has created a wealth of new traditions for the holiday season, as well as other community celebrations. Every St. Patrick’s Day, the city dyes the creek that runs through downtown green for the town’s yearly spring kickoff. But that’s not all, according to Ashland Mayor Matt Miller.

“During the summer, we have our Big Splash Pool Party at our big community pool,” says Miller. “The pool is full of 3,500 rubber ducks of every size, beach balls that are 10 to 12 feet in diameter and giant blow-up creations all over the countryside in our park.”

Small Towns Make Excellent Test Beds for Entrepreneurs

Along with being able to afford your first home in a small town, a lot of people find that small towns are excellent test beds for their first businesses. Real estate affordability extends to the commercial space, and some small towns even offer grants and incentives for people to start businesses . If you’ve dreamed of opening a hardware store or a bakery, a small town might be the right place to do it.

“Entrepreneurial spirit is something that this city attracts,” says Amber Keener, a city councilwoman in Mount Vernon, Ohio. “When people move here, they view this as a land of opportunity, because rent for a brick and mortar store in our little downtown area, which is hopping, is a decent price. And so I think that they are able to pursue something that they might not be able to pursue in a town that's bigger.”

But it’s not just that you can start the business you’ve been dreaming of – it’s that your business is actually important and makes a difference to the community.

“There's more of a feeling of being involved,” says Angst. “When you're in a smaller community, you feel like your contribution is valuable. People will care if you leave. People care that you came.”

Choosing the Small Town of Your Dreams

Moving to a small town for the first time means learning to live life differently. The pace of a small town tends to be much slower, and the things you can expect from them are different than most urban and suburban communities. You might discover that your neighbors keep chickens or work on their cars in the driveway, and you may not find a Starbucks anywhere remotely handy.

If you buy a rural property, you might find yourself next door to a farm that produces aromas both new and diverse, or that you have to take special precautions during hunting season.

Even so, small towns are certainly not a monolith. These communities are each small enough that what happens in them and the spirit of the place is tied closely to the people who live there, so much so that each town has its own personality. There’s no one-size-fits-all community, but there is a community for everyone.

“I think that smaller communities have held on to some of their history, their architecture, their local beauty,” says Keener. “And I think that it just creates a spark of joy in people. You know, there is a vibe in each community that is different, so you just have to find the one that jives with your soul. That's where you land.”

When looking for a small town to call your own, you should consider all the same things you would if you were considering a move from one suburban or urban area to another: What are the schools like? How is the infrastructure? What kinds of nightlife and job opportunities are available? But that’s only the beginning of the list.

“Factors to consider also include whether the community is growing and at what pace and whether or not you want a town that’s up and coming or one that’s been population stable,” says Angst. “Also consider the dominant industry in the area. Many small communities have an identity based on industry such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and so forth.”

Angst agrees that a house in a small town is much more than just a place to live. You’re also choosing a lifestyle and a place where you can add your own essence to the mix.

“The place is one thing; you can fall in love with the house," she says. "But really, you should fall in love with your community. And the place you fit in is where you should go.”

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