If you’ve been dreaming of ditching the city for a sprawling rural farm you’re not alone – but while the simple life sounds idyllic, many forget what hard work farming really is.
Enter agrihoods, new farm-to-table developments that let you live in a farming community without having to cultivate the land. Here, you can have your crops and eat them too.
As more and more people (millennials in particular) prioritize sustainability and healthy living, agrihoods are growing in popularity. Today, there are more than 200 of these unique neighborhoods in the U.S. alone and some developers think they could become the next golf course community.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of living in an agrihood:
- Support local farmers
A recent survey revealed that 73% of people consider access to fresh, healthy foods a top priority when looking to buy a home. Since agrihood communities are centered around working farms, living in one means getting access to farm-fresh ingredients directly from the source. This is a great selling for residents who desire a healthy lifestyle.
Purchasing local ingredients also helps revitalize local farms and put money in the pockets of farmers who tend to the land. In addition to food purchases, agrihoods allow working farms to take part in cooking workshops, demonstrations, events and more.
2. Participate in communal experiences
Agrihoods are outfitted with shared amenities so residents can enjoy the simple life together. Onsite kitchens, restaurants and shops are all popular features, as are pavilions, grill areas, community herb gardens and more.
Workshops let residents learn how to cook using the crops grown on the land. It’s all about creating shared spaces where people want to spend time together. Some agrihoods are even taking it a step further by building schools and other resources onsite.
- Live in eco-friendly housing
Since agrihoods are a fairly new concept, most of these developments are new builds. This means the amenities and residential housing can be outfitted with the latest energy efficient housing solutions, such as LEED certifications and Energy Star ratings. All of these features help the environment and lower your utility costs.
Another feature of some agrihoods is solar farms, which can power the community, farm and even surrounding town.
- Enjoy public green spaces
Living the simple life means spending time outdoors and unplugging from technology. This time spent outside is proven to increase creativity and build confidence in kids and adults alike. Shared green spaces such as parks and trails let families get outside and stay active in their neighborhoods.
Residents are also encouraged to participate in volunteer activities on the farm. Tending to the chicken coop, seeding the soil and aerating the compost piles are all examples of farm activities families can volunteer to help with.
Does living in an agrihood sound like a dream come true? Check out this visual from The Zebra below to learn more about the features of these idyllic communities and the benefits they offer to residents.
thinkingcountry.com 