The accommodations, surrounded by white-faced Hereford and shaggy Scottish Highland cattle and a mixed flock of sheep, some friendly goats and a parade of guinea fowl -- as well as a swimming pool -- are steadily booked throughout the year.
Every day, Dale, who retired from corporate marketing in 2001 to farm full time, takes Weatherbury Farm guests on a tour after they've had a big country breakfast prepared by Nigel. Kids can reach under fluffy hens to gather eggs and hold a chick. They pump water for goats and bottle-feed lambs, all in a space of about an hour.
The farming part of the Tudor business breaks even, he said. The hospitality portion provides the majority of the family's income.
Like Pennsylvania, Ohio used to have a farm vacation association, but it disbanded long ago, Marcy Tudor said. Ohio agriculture experts don't remember the state ever having one...."
