'Slow Movement' AgriTour: Our First AgriTourism Community Ride!
For the sake of health and local, Robin Hills Farm has begun to host a series of bimonthly community bicycle rides that tour the beautiful agricultural landscapes of the region. Farms of all types serve as stops along the way, and local farmers give brief introductions to their farms and what they do. Organic farms, conventional farms, dairy farms, stables, creameries, maple syrup farms, bee farms, and more will be featured on these community rides. These rides present an opportunity to meet your local farmers, learn the importance of buying local, renew your admiration for the beautiful natural world, and get some exercise in the process!
Our first ride was held on November 14th, a near-perfect fall day (say what?! in the middle of November?? No way! Yes way...). The morning was a bit chilly, but once we got those legs pumping on the bicycle and the sun rose higher in the sky, the temperature was quite pleasant.
The first ride explored the southwest section of the greater Chelsea area, and our main destination was Tantre Farm, a remarkable certified organic farm located on 115 acres of wetland, woodland, and sandy-loam fields. The farm has been in operation since 1993.
Before we reached our destination, however, we needed to get there from Robin Hills Farm, a good 9 miles northeast of Tantre. The beginning of the ride was quite pleasant, as it lasted just over a mile before our first pit stop at Zou Zous Cafe and Coffee Shop. We indulged in coffees and coconut macaroons before heading out with newly discovered energy. At this point, the sun was beginning to penetrate our bones, and the ride was spectacular along dirt roads and through the stunning agricultural landscape that surrounds Chelsea.
Before long we arrived at Tantre Farm, where we met Deb, co-owner of Tantre Farm with her husband, Richard. She graciously donated a good hour of her busy day to showing us around the farm. Some of the highlights were the Berkshire pigs during feed time (brussel sprouts and other farm scraps!!) as well as her overly affectionate cows, one of which had a unique taste for human clothing! Deb's love for farming was infectious as we toured the vegetable area, each of us leaving with a bagful of root crops (rutabaga, radish, and turnip!). We finished the tour with a peek at the mushroom forest, an incredible sight unto itself, hundreds of feet of latticed logs, inoculated with a variety of mushroom spores, and a unique offering to CSA members of Tantre Farm.
We said our goodbyes to Deb and her wonderful dog, and we continued along the dirt roads under a beautiful canopy of trees with a sedge of Sandhill cranes flocking and calling above.
We followed the route through beautiful rolling hills passing classic red barns and farm houses, all unique in their own way and evoking a sense of nostalgia for country living. We had intended to continue on the Community Farm of Ann Arbor, but scheduling didn't work out and we'll save that destination for another trip!
We headed back early afternoon for a total trip of nearly 24 miles. Not a bad start for our first 'Slow Movement' AgriTour. We look forward to our second ride, which may be a cold one, in January. Hope you can join us!:)