The first day of Spring approaches. Fresh eggs, locally sourced from Keyes Farms are a favorite. Warmer temperatures and longer days will greet special guests next week when we welcome the USDA state director and the Nevada Commission on Tourism (March 23-24). A workshop for agri-tourism will be held at the Fish Lake Valley Community Center Tuesday, March 24 from 9-12.
Shepherds bring their flocks to Fish Lake Valley each year to graze on the winter stubble and help prepare the fields for spring.
Queensland Vineyard Bed & Breakfast was the primary subject of our presentation on Agritourism at this year’s Small Farm Conference held in Reno, Nevada last week. We had the opportunity to address Nevada farmers and detail our progress in developing our alfalfa farm, vineyard and lavender garden as a tourist destination. Thanks to Ann Louhela at Western Nevada College, Nevada Department of Agriculture and the USDA for including us in this year’s conference.
Our vines are visible from the highway and one day a school administrator called us about bringing the kids for a tour. We had a couple of weeks to prepare.
The tour included viewing the alfalfa field, the lavender, the grapes, the trellis, water source, irrigation and the equipment needed to plant and harvest.