Three nights of agri-tourism through Harvest Hosts gave us new insights into professional pollinators, the benefits of goat milk, and the anti-oxidant power of blueberry wine.
The Bee Barn
We sampled honey and picked up luscious lotions to combat the dry winter air. We learned that the Peace River Bees travel the country to pollinate commercial crops like almonds and citrus in California, apples and cranberries in Maine, and even an assortment of crops in the prairies. Molly made friends with the neighbor’s cows.
Proctor’s Goat Farm and Goat Life
Curious and intelligent goats invited us to walk the twelve acres of pastures and woodland trails with them. They seemed eager to show us their favorite edibles (Spanish moss and palmetto were both popular choices!) and the eldest of the herd adopted Joe and never left his side. In the morning, we were invited to watch the milking and Sarah even got in the parlor and milked one of the gentle girls. We left with a fridge full of fresh fromage de chèvre and goat milk fudge!
Whispering Oaks Winery
This bustling estate introduced us to eight new wines all made from blueberries. Because it was Friday night, we were able to have a steak dinner served outside with a live blues band on the ample patio. A traveling circus was set up in one of the adjoining pastures and on Saturday morning, a 5K race challenged fitness buffs to run the perimeter of the blueberry fields to the “Finish Wine” with the promise of a glass of blueberry wine.
Where in the world are the Gills? 