Working Farm Stays
Everybody who stays at Circle M must work, because we believe that’s the greatest gift this farm has to give: good, satisfying and truly productive work for human hands and hearts. That’s why we moved to the country – so we could do hard work that was good. Visitors have done everything from participate in steer and sheep round-ups to building and painting barns and sheds. We’ve got good work here for every age group and ability, and a farm stay here will always involve a few hours a day of appropriate labor.
Your family might enjoy wandering among the animals on pasture digging up thistle or other invasive species. Or perhaps you’ve got teens who’d enjoying clearing brush out of hedgerows and celebrating at the end of the day with a huge bonfire. Maybe you’ve got an engineering or design background and you’d like to give us some input on whatever building project is up next. Your school group might want to hand-cultivate some garden plots and plant them with seeds or transplants. There are always hooves to trim, wool fleeces to wash and card, horses to brush and perennial flower beds that need weeding.
Of course, hard work always makes for especially satisfying rest times, and above all we’d like your stay here to be renewing and, ultimately, relaxing. We have canoes available for exploring the beautiful Pecatonica River which borders our property, there is a small pond for swimming and heron-watching, and lots of lovely walks in every direction. We’ve got more swings than any family deserves and picnic tables and benches placed all over the property for breaks in varied settings.Evening activites include soaks in the fire-heated hot tub, cozy visits in front of the sitting-room woodstove and marshmallow roasts over the bonfire.
A short walk into tiny downtown Blanchardville takes you to the library, the taverns, a diner, coffee shop and River Valley Trading Company, an eclectic co-op of local art, wool products, handmade gifts and natural foods. We are just a half hour from historic Mineral Point, which boasts a number of excellent restaurants and art galleries; a half hour from Swiss-themed New Glarus; a half hour from Governor Dodge State Park in Dodgeville; a half hour from one of the few remaining drive-in theatres, the Sky View in Monroe; and only 15 minutes from Yellowstone Lake State Park. Nearby Darlington boasts ATV rentals and well-maintained trails to ride.
Accomodations here are rustic. We have eight cots that can be set up in our large barn, in an empty animal shelter, or in tents. We have two tents that can be used, and you are welcome to bring your own. We have both outdoor and indoor showers and access to a bathroom. We cannot provide linens or towels. We would love to share a farmhouse breakfast with you, and will be happy to give you some recommendations for local establishments in which to enjoy your other meals.
Our fees vary depending on your group size and activites, but you can expect to pay something like $20 a night per person.
