Dinner out is fine. So is a shopping trip. But if you’re halfway through planning the same Saturday you had last month, a farm might be worth a look. We’re Nunley Family Farm, over in Hohenwald, Tennessee. For Nashville families, couples, or work groups considering a day away, we’d like to put that option on the table.
Our family comes from military and law enforcement backgrounds. Giving back to our community is personal to us, and our farm offerings include nature-themed experiences and equine and other farm animal-assisted services. Some people will be interested in a family outing; others will have a particular service in mind. We should talk about which you’re looking for before you make the trip.
How Many Stops Is Too Many?
The trouble with a day trip is how quickly it grows. One stop becomes two. Then somebody spots another place on the map, and suddenly you’re working backward from a dinner booking to figure out how early to leave.
For this trip, we’d start with one booking. Not because there’s anything wrong with sightseeing, but because fitting a farm visit between two other appointments puts you straight back on the clock. Give the drive a bit of room, too. ‘From Nashville’ covers a lot of starting points; check the route from where you’ll actually be leaving rather than borrowing somebody else’s travel time.
Before Anybody Promises A Pony Ride
It’s an easy mix-up. You see equine in a description, your child hears horses, and the conversation in the car turns into which horse they’d like to ride. Hang on a minute. An equine experience may not involve riding at all. Let’s get the details of the offering straight before that conversation gets going.
A call is also the place to say, ‘There would be six of us,’ or ‘Our youngest is three.’ Those details give us something to work with when discussing availability and suitable activities. We need to know what you want to book, not just which Saturday you have free. A community event, a private group visit, and a particular program can have quite different arrangements.
Get the cost and reservation sorted out, including how long the activity runs and what happens in bad weather. If someone is a little afraid of animals, that’s a useful thing to mention, not an embarrassing one. Better to discuss it now than have them worrying quietly in the back seat.
It Can Just Be A Day Out
A family doesn’t have to be working through something to spend time outdoors together. Neither does a couple. Wanting a different sort of Saturday is enough. And we’d be careful about expecting a farm day to produce a particular feeling, or to fix the arguments everybody had during the week. We can’t promise that.
There’s a more important distinction here, too. A recreational outing isn’t mental-health treatment. If treatment is what you’re looking for, the question is about the exact program and the clinical license of the person providing it, not whether animals are involved. ‘Animal-assisted’ by itself doesn’t answer that question. Please don’t drop ongoing care in favor of a farm visit. They aren’t interchangeable.
The Practical Part Of The Phone Call
What about someone who can’t comfortably walk on uneven ground? Or needs to sit fairly often? We’d want that conversation before a reservation, not after you’ve driven out. The same goes for needing a step-free route. Ask about access for the activity you’re considering; a photo won’t settle those questions.
As for what to wear, this isn’t the outing for shoes you have to keep spotless. Closed-toe shoes with grip make more sense. Water for drinking, clothes for the forecast, and another look at the weather before setting off will help with the ordinary planning. You don’t need a complicated packing list.
Yes, Even If You Didn’t Pet Anything
That’s the answer to the handwashing question. CDC guidance recommends soap and water after leaving animal areas, whether or not you’ve touched an animal. Eating and drinking should wait until you’re out of those areas as well. For children under five, the CDC also advises no contact with poultry, reptiles, or amphibians.
With little ones, an adult needs to stay close around animals. A quiet animal isn’t permission to wander up and feed it. Wait for staff instructions about touching or feeding, and explain that waiting part to the children before the visit. It’s easier if they already know there will be directions to follow.
Start With A Date, Or A Question
You don’t have to have the whole outing worked out to call. Reach us at (951) 202-7727, and tell us what you’re considering at Nunley Family Farm in Hohenwald, Tennessee. We’ll discuss the farm days, nature-themed experiences, or animal-assisted offerings you’re interested in, and the arrangements to make before leaving Nashville. As for day trips, this one doesn’t need a page full of stops. Getting the farm visit settled is a good place to begin.