Here in Nebraska, most of us grew up on or near farms. But as fewer and fewer families are involved in the agricultural way of life, the younger generations are missing out on some of those incomparable family-farm experiences. This fabulous farm in Pierce County is a place to grow, connect with the earth and with other people, and let your knowledge truly bloom.

Sitting just outside the tiny town of Randolph in northeastern Nebraska, Pfanny's Farm has been home to the Pfanstiel family for more than 30 years.

The farm housed dairy cattle for years, but since 2011 it has been a sustainable farm providing fruits, veggies, and so much more to the people of Nebraska (and beyond).

In the farm's early days, it provided real food and real-world farming experiences for the Pfanstiel family. Now that the family's four kids are grown and starting their own families, the farm provides the same nourishment to others.

During the growing season, a weekly market takes place on the farm every Thursday. Find everything from tomatoes and cucumbers to hyper-local honey, plus some tasty prepared foods and other treats when available.

Invest in the farm's CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program for a share of the fresh produce. You can buy as few as four or as many as 31 share pickups for each growing season. This option lets you enjoy all of the fruits (and vegetables!) of the Pfanstiel family's labor without doing any of the hard work yourself.

Membership also gets you weekly access to the certified kitchen and its commercial oven.

Pfanny's Farm also welcomes visitors to come learn about sustainable agriculture, wellness, nutrition, and nature. There are a number of planned activities and events throughout the year that will engage the minds of visitors of all ages.

The "Little Sprouts" events seek to instill an early love of nature and agriculture in young visitors. Kids can learn all about how the farm operates, from the garden beds to the greenhouses to the chicken coops.

Grownups love the educational offerings, too. The geothermal greenhouse is a popular destination on the farm thanks to its tropical feel. This is one of the few places where lemons, limes, pineapples, and even bananas grow in Nebraska!

Workshops on the farm lead participants through learning about a wide variety of topics. Whether you're into growing and making your own kitchen staples, harnessing foods as medicine, or simply understanding how a farm business operates, you can find guidance here.

Events like garden-side yoga, nature journaling, and nature-inspired painting classes allow visitors to experience even more of this farm's beautiful, serene setting. Although many of the planned 2020 events have been canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these special happenings will hopefully return in future years.

To get the most out of a visit to Pfanny's Farm, spend a night or weekend having a true agritourism experience. Make a reservation through HipCamp (link below) and set up camp on the property, or book an Airbnb Experience (link below) to schedule a farm tour complete with a light meal made of local foods.

Even if you can't stay over for a night or weekend, any visit to Pfanny's Farm is bound to leave you feeling a little healthier and closer to nature. Walk the well-established half-mile trail, gaze over the gardens, chat with the chickens, and get to know the wonders of the geothermal greenhouse. There are endless ways to enjoy this beautiful Nebraska farm.

Book your own stay on Pfanny's Farm through HipCamp, or sign up for the Garden Tour adventure through Airbnb. Learn even more about this delightful northeastern Nebraska gem on its website or Facebook page. (Please note that the 2020 offerings are limited due to the ongoing pandemic.)

While you're staying at Pfanny's Farm, why not take a couple of hours to experience one of Nebraska's premier waterparks in nearby Norfolk? Read all about AquaVenture here.