10 Direct From the Farm Shopping Opportunities

Many seek to give a more personal gift and stimulate small rural economies at the same. The same solution - purchasing direct from farm and hand crafters - can solve both solutions. It's a way to spread the giving even further than your gift, as the purchase from small places also helps *their* holidays. Why not give more than once?!

High on the list for many is art or jewelry. Cow Art and More is a place you can find farm related charms, artwork and a variety of gift ideas at reasonable prices. Where art and agriculture meet isn't just a slogan...artist Kathy McComb Swift is a practicing veterinarian with a passion for cattle and artwork. The two blend beautifully in a unique gift line that offers a touch of rural life to your holiday gift giving.

Wayne's Custom Leather offers leather collars for your four legged household members as well as saddles, gun holsters and other leather goods. A farm that raises good horses and working dogs, they know good quality leather lasts. Whether an all leather collar for a good working dog or a saddle, this is a place to find practical gifts that last.

For a little different farm check out the Smoky Hill Bison Company - all things bison from toys to shirts, art, even meats and hides. If you like the animals, or just want something different, or have an attachment to buffalo images and art this is a must-stop site.

Dickinson Cattle Company is a name that has been associated with Longhorn cattle for many years. Because of the horns they are not a commercially accepted breed, so the family operation learned to market. The "everything but the moo" is evident on their website, from western skulls and hides to coasters and western décor you won't find just anywhere!

Shoup's Country Foods is another direct-from-the-farm offering. You can support the Indiana farm from anywhere through mail order. Some tasty seasonings, barbecue sauce and other gifts on up to meats are easily available online for a personal touch to your gift giving.

Love spinning or knitting? Hand dyed rovings from a variety of fibers are featured at Crown Mountain Farms' gift offering. Fiber and accessories are featured as well as other gift ideas.

Love beautiful original photography? SlowMoneyFarm offers country photograph images that go towards farm expansion with a four photo set or individual photos. These, like the other offerings, allow support of smaller places and rural communities from anywhere, even if you live in the city.

Love fruit gifts? Consider Rasmussen Farms fruit assortment for gift giving. Established in 1945, this is a great place to get fruit direct from the orchards.

John's Custom Meats is worth a trip for outstanding meats grown right in the community in Kentucky. Nestled in the Kentucky farmland between Nashville and Louisville, this is worth a trip for USDA Kentucky grown and processed meats. Whether it's prime beef, outstanding lamb, wonderful pork and chicken or trying domestic rabbit the meats are outstanding and "a thousand miles fresher".

Love goats? Khimaira Farm is the place to go for soaps, goat related items and jewelry. Whether you like goats from a hands on point of view or just seek hand made soaps or other gifts you can find many ideas here!

The holiday season in the past has often been thought of as homemade things. Some still practice this, but through the support of small farms for your holiday gift buying it stimulates the economy in a way the government can't. It keeps Americans working on the farm, essential to food production, and it allows a variety of gifts for those you love. Spread the Christmas joy, or for any other occasion, with direct from the farm gifts.