As more revelations unfold about the harm of mass produced foods and with increased concerns over food borne illnesses, the popularity of organic foods and traditional farming has increased. Our generation has sacrificed health for convenience. Our grandparents quite simply did it better than we do.

With that in mind the good people at Learn Great Foods have devised a new industry — agri-culinary tours. Imagine starting your day watching the classic operation of a grist mill, harvesting shitake mushrooms by hand, then venturing to the dark rich earth of an asparagus farm, sampling an artisan cheddar at the dairy, and ending the day with an al fresco meal prepared from all of the ingredients you have sampled all while sipping a glass of wine handpicked for you by the vintner.

Tours include herb gardens in the Little Traverse Bay area of Michigan, the 2 Busy 2 Cook retreat in Mt. Carroll, IL, a cheese extravaganza in New Glarus, WI and even a visit with an organic farming guru in Sabula, Iowa.

Learn Great Foods will let you custom design you gastronomic getaway or you can attend one of the their many standard Midwestern tours.

According to Learn Great Foods, “By touring area farms, you’ll get an up-close look at the workings of a sustainable farm and also have the chance to ask local farmers and vintners questions about growing techniques. Tour destinations include organic beef and dairy farms, fruit/vegetable farms, wineries, creameries and local coffee roasters. This interactive experience will be one you won’t soon forget!”

All farm tours are followed by a hands-on cooking class, where a celebrated chef will use that day’s fresh-from-the-farm bounty to help you make innovative culinary creations.

Feeling more adventurous? They have three foreign tours scheduled this year for the Yucatan Peninsula and four in Argentina.

For more information visit their website.