
Frequently Asked Questions
As a prospective member of Harvest Hosts, we know you are excited about this unique RV experience and that you may have a question or two. We hope these will answer your inquiries. Just click on the question to read the answer.
- How much is membership and how long does membership last?
- What do I get when I join?
- What kind of vehicles are allowed?
- How do I know if my RV is "self-contained"?
- What is included in the "Host Directory"?
- Where can I view the general locations of the Hosts?
- What types of farms and businesses are included as Hosts?
- Before joining, can I see a list of Hosts in the area where I am planning to travel?
- Must I buy something from the Host where I spend the night?
- If I don't drink wine, can I still stay at a winery?
- I will be traveling with a friend in a second vehicle, do they need to be a member of Harvest Hosts?
- Do I have to agree to a Code of Conduct?
- I'm on the road or leaving soon, how do I get my membership card?
- Do I have to work?
- Can I volunteer?
- Can I just show up or do I have to make a reservation?
- What do I do when I arrive?
- Do I receive a printed Host Directory?
- What is the percentage of farms to wineries?
- Do the Hosts offer electricity, water or sewer hook-ups?
- Can I use a generator?
- What are the parking areas like?
- Can I use leveling devices to level my RV?
- Are my pets allowed on the Hosts' property?
- Can I arrive after business hours?
- Can I stay longer than 24 hours?
- I have a very large RV, will I be able to find a spot to park?
- Do you have a Forum to post and read about Host visits by other members?
- What do Hosts get out of the program?
- Take a look at photos submitted by members of their Host visits.
How much is membership
and how long does membership last?
Membership is $40.00/year, and it lasts for 12 months
from the date you join.
What do I get when I join?
Harvest Hosts is an online program. When you join you receive a username and password that gives you unlimited access to the Members website where you will find the:
- Host Directory - downloadable/printable listings that include the size and number of vehicles accepted at each Host along with contact information, GPS coordinates, business hours and type of operation.
- Maps - detailed and interactive
- Host Locator - finds Hosts within 100 miles of any location
- Forum - share information with other members
- Member Photo Page
- Monthly Newsletter Updates
- Monthly New Hosts Updates
What kind of
vehicles are allowed?
Self-contained
motorhomes (class A, B and C), fifth-wheels, travel trailers
and truck campers. Sorry, but tent-type/canvas RVs or
trailers are not allowed.
How do I know if my RV is
"self-contained"?
Self-contained means that your RV must have a toilet
(porta-potties are OK but must be dumped elsewhere) and built-in
holding tanks for waste water. You must be able to supply
your own electricity and water.
What information is
included in the
"Host Directory"?
The
Host Directory is divided into six (6) US regions and three (3) Canadian
regions for easy downloading and/or printing. Each
regional directory has state or province maps
and Host listings that include the size and number of vehicles
accepted at each Host along with contact information, GPS
coordinates, business hours and type of operation. View a
sample Host
Directory listing.
Where can I see the general locations of
the Hosts?
Non-members can view the general locations on the
public
Host Maps page.
Members have access to detailed, interactive maps.
What types of farms and
businesses are included as Hosts?
Types
of Business:
Farms
Wineries
Orchards
U-pick operations
Cider mills
Wildlife rescue facilities
Open air museums
Exotic animal parks
Breweries and distilleries
Types of Farms:
Organic farms
Flower & herb gardens
Corn farms with fall corn mazes
Dairy farms
Sugarhouses, maple sugar farms
Lavender farms
Alpaca, Buffalo and Yak ranches
Pumpkin festivals
Farm markets w/fresh vegetables
Berry farms
Creameries – fresh cheeses & ice-cream
Greenhouses
Can I see a list of Hosts in the area where I am planning
to travel?
We understand that some of you would like to see the
list of Hosts before joining, but we know you will understand
why the Hosts do not want to have their information posted on
the public portion of the website. However if you have a
specific question regarding an area, we will be happy to answer
it. Please
email
or call us at 928-277-1661.
Do I have to buy something from the Host where I spend the
night?
We request that you make a purchase to show your
appreciation to your Host. You'll enjoy
buying locally grown or produced products right from the source
and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you're helping
a small business to grow and thrive. If you don't see anything for yourself,
please consider purchasing a gift for a loved one or friend.
If I don't drink wine, can I
still stay at a winery?
You may want to consider not visiting wineries if you
don’t drink wine. That said, most wineries have gift shops with
lots of interesting items and local products available for
purchase to show your appreciation for the overnight stop.
I will be traveling with a friend in a second vehicle, do
they need to be a member of Harvest Hosts?
Yes, all overnight visitors in their own vehicle must be Harvest Hosts
members.
Do you have a Code
of Conduct?
Yes, all Harvest Hosts members must agree to a common
sense Code of
Conduct.
I'm on the road or leaving soon, how do I get my membership card?No problem, you'll be able to print your Membership Card and a Vehicle Badge right from the Members' website .
Do I have to work
at the winery or farm?
Not at all. Hosts are offering you an overnight stay
as an opportunity to
meet new customers and have fun, new experiences.
Can I volunteer?
Absolutely! Most of the Hosts are small "mom &
pop" operations and would gladly welcome some extra help.
If you are interested, ask when calling to schedule your visit.
Do I have to make a
reservation or can I just show up?
The Hosts appreciate advance notice and we
request that you try to call 24 hours ahead. This is so they
can make sure a parking space is available and ready for your
visit. Also, by calling ahead, you can make sure that the
Host (1) is open and can accomodate you, (2) can
tell you if there is a special entrance and (3) can be specific
about where you should park when you arrive.
What do I do when I arrive?
After you have arrived, please introduce yourself to
your Host and present your Harvest Hosts
Membership Card. Then enjoy your Host's hospitality -
taste some wine, sample some products, make a purchase, take a
tour or order a meal!
Will I receive a printed
Host Directory?
To keep membership cost down,
the Host Directory is available for free as a download in PDF
format. You can print pages as you need them or you can
save the Directory to your computer or smart phone to have
available whenever you want to find a Host. Should you
desire one, a printed copy of
the Host Directory is available from our publisher for an
additional fee.
What is the percentage of
farms to wineries?
We strive to be as close to 50/50 as possible. For a
more precise percentage and the current number of Hosts please
visit the For the RV
Owner page
Do the Hosts offer electricity, water or sewer
hook-ups?
A small number of the Hosts do offer electricity or
water. But the Hosts are, first and foremost, farms and
are not likely to provide the services that you would find at a
campground.
Can I use a generator?
Yes, but please be courteous and ask beforehand so that the Host can
park you where no one will be disturbed by the sound of the
generator.
What are the parking areas
like?
The parking surface might be concrete, asphalt, gravel, grass or dirt. You may be in the Host's
parking lot or right in the fields, orchards or vineyards.
Can I use leveling devices
to level my RV?
Yes, but please use jack pads on asphalt as heavy
weight can cause damage.
Are my pets allowed on the Hosts'
property?
Nearly all of the Hosts permit pets on a leash on their
property. Please note that farm dogs may be present, so if
a pet is accompanying you, please check with your Host before
bringing them out.
Please be a responsible pet owner and clean up after your pets.
Pets may only be allowed in parking areas.
Can I arrive after business
hours?
Out of consideration for your Host's hospitality,
please arrive during the Host's normal business
hours. Arrive early enough in the
day so that you can enjoy meeting your Host and learning about
their lifestyle. Enjoy the opportunity to buy locally
grown or produced items directly from the source and know that
you have contributed to the local economy.
Can I stay longer than 24 hours?
Harvest Hosts is set up as an overnight program with stays
of a maximum of 24 hours. However, if you are enjoying
your visit and you've supported your Hosts with a purchase or you would like to volunteer around the farm or
winery, ask if you can stay longer. The decision is up to your Host.
I have a very large RV, will I be able to find a spot to
park?
Approximately 80 percent of the Hosts are able to
accommodate any length RV. Vehicle size accepted is shown on
each Host's directory listing.
Do you have a Forum where I can post and read
about Host visits by other members?
Yes, all members are encouraged to
post trip reports about their experiences and to upload photos
of their visits to the Harvest Hosts forum. We will also
post your photos on the website!
What do the Hosts get out of the
program?
The Hosts are inviting
you to their properties to introduce you to their way of life.
They are very proud of what they do and of what they produce.
They hope that you will appreciate what they have created and
will make a purchase either for yourself or as a gift for a
friend.
Email and Telephone Support
Can't find the answer to your question? Feel free to contact us,
we are always ready to assist you with any questions you may
have in mind. Contact Us.
