Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/331109
M ike and Nori Naylor educate urban folks about agriculture and stone fruit one family at a time. At their farm stay, located in the heart of California's stone fruit growing region, guests can pick their own fruit, learn about life on a small family farm, or just unwind from the demands of city living. Naylor's Organic Family Farm Stay is a California ranch-style home located near Dinuba, where the Naylors grow about 25 varieties of organic peaches and nectarines for wholesale markets and run a U-pick operation on their 80-acre farm. The husband-and-wife team remodeled the Naylor homestead in 2009 and turned it into a farm stay. Mike and Nori are high-school sweet- hearts, and both have ties to farming. Mike is a third-generation family farmer; both Nori's grandparents were small fam- ily farmers, and she spent many summers helping on their farms. The Naylors' farm stay, like others cropping up across the country, is similar to a bed and breakfast. They rent two bedrooms, each with private bath- room and entry, and include a hearty, country-style breakfast as part of the stay. But that's where the B and B similarities end. "Ours is different because the focus is on the farm," said Nori, who manages the farm stay. Under California business codes, their business is defi ned as an agri- cultural homestay. Licensing and regulations are a little less stringent than those for bed and breakfast businesses, she said, though kitchens are inspected and other codes and standards must be met. Each county in California has its own interpretation of state regulations, but gener- ally, the farm stay must be located on a working farm or ranch and the stay cannot be the primary source of income. "Our main purpose is not fi nancial," said Mike. "It's educational. Most people nowadays have never been on a farm or are two to three generations removed from farming. This is a way to invite them to come and meet a farmer up close. It's all about education and building relationships." This is their fourth year operating the farm stay. On average, they have houseguests about every other weekend from February through Sep- tember, though summer months are the busiest. Their home is open for guests four nights a week, with at least two days' notice needed. Appoint- ments are needed from October through December, and they are closed in January. Rates range from $139 to $199 per night. 22 JULY 2014 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com Stone fruit FARM STAY Rocking chairs beckon guests at Naylor's Organic Family Farm Stay in Dinuba, California. Guests learn about stone fruit farming while staying with the Naylors. by Melissa Hansen Call Blueline Equipment Today . . . 509 248-8411 Great Values on New & Used Grape Harvesters Checkout our excellent selection of Used Harvesters Checkout our excellent selection of Used Harvesters Special Deals on Grape Harvesters . . . Korvan 312 self propelled harvester - 3 wheel drive, RH unload conveyor, JD diesel engine, 1033 hrs, good condition . . . . . . . $74,900 Gregoire G117 self propelled harvester 4wd, cab AC, RH unload conveyor and LH side bin, Deutz diesel engine, 1550 picking hrs. 3222 engine hrs. Good condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $85,000 Gregoire G60 tractor towed harvester, wheel drive system, RH unload conveyer and LH side bin, great condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $82,000 *requires 75 PTO HP and 4wd tractor to operate Gregoire G65 tractor towed harvester, wheel drive system, RH unload conveyor, hydraulic head pinch, excellent condition . . . . . . . . $84,000 Braud 524 RH tractor towed harvester, wheel drive system, low volume machine for light crops R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,500 *requires about 50 PTO HP tractor to operate Gregoire G2 tractor towed harvester w/wheel drive system, auto steering, cameras, newest picking head design RH unload conveyor and LH side bin - Delivered to your vineyard . . . . $176,000 New GREGOIRE Inventory r G2 Pull Type with Clean Tech+Vario r G8 Self propelled See GREGOIRE'S New Full Cleaning System CLEAN TECH = VARIO available now on all new machines