Dear fellow travelers,

My wife, 10 year old son, and I are interested in staying at an agriturismo in the Tuscany or Umbria region in Italy in early summer. We are looking for a place that is an active agricultural farm (i.e. produces olive oil, wine, etc.), but not too fancy. We are looking to stay there for a week and use it to take day trips. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Nancy and Neal

I've always wanted to stay here, because I love goats:

http://www.chianticashmere.com/Tuscan-Farm-Rental/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbLDVZfgdXM

www.larasina.it/

NancyNeal,
Try La Crociona http://www.lacrociona.com/ near Montalcino.

Henry

I highly recommend Le Case Gialle in Umbria, near Bevagna and Montefalco. A working olive farm, they produce small quantities of organic olive oil. The apartments themselves are gorgeous, as our the views. It's the prefect spot for daytrips; in addition to Montefalco and Bevagna, one can easily visit Spello, Assisi, Trevi, Todi, Deruta, Perugia....

http://www.lecasegialle.it/

A second for Le Case Gialle. I've stayed with them a half dozen times.
Silvana and Mauro are great (and you get fresh bread and the Intl. Tribune at your door every morning). A pool too, if its warm enough.

All of the places listed here: http://www.bella-toscana.com/chianti_agriturismi.htm are working farms. The nearest to what you want is probably Antico Borgo di Sugame - the wife speaks English and they produce excellent wine and olive oil. The location is halfway between Florence and Siena, and is high up so it never gets too hot.

Several years ago part of our family stayed at Spannocchia http://www.spannocchia.com during our week in Tuscany.

It sounds like it would work great for you and the staff was exceptionally helpful and good with kids.

Thanks to all of you who've responded.

These are great suggestions, and it looks like our biggest problem will be narrowing down which place to stay!

I also stayed at Le Case Gialle and also recommend it. Very relaxing; olive groves and delicious olive oil; some animals (I recall a donkey?); nice pool; kid friendly; some hiking trails in the area; guitars and bikes available to borrow; plenty to do nearby as far as day trips (be aware that you will need to drive to dinner if you get tired of cooking).

Zeppole's 'goat' place looks intriguing, too!