As travelers seek new ways to experience destinations, all-inclusive food-focused farm stays continue to grab attention. Think Blackberry Farm in Tennessee or The Milkweed Inn in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. In Arizona, one award-winning chef has transformed a historic ranch into an upscale culinary experience. Terra Farm, located in a remote section of Prescott National Forest, is a serene luxury retreat that combines an inn, farm, and cooking school.
A Bold Vision
Terra Farm was established by chef James Porter in 2019. Prior to opening the farm, he was best known for his Scottsdale eateries, Tapino and Petite Maison. Following the closings of those restaurants, Porter took a position helping restore and reopen a historic hotel in Wisconsin. But prior to leaving, he was approached by a friend who owned property northwest of Prescott and was exploring turning it into a vacation destination.
“Oddly enough, I had always wanted to create something that was truly Arizona-driven, that represents the best of the state,” he says. When his Midwest commitment ended, he jumped at the chance to develop this project. It took four years and a lot of hard work, but today, the property is recognized as one of the country’s top epicurean experiences.
Terra Farm’s Deep Roots
Located on just under 100 acres in a small valley, the land that is now Terra Farm has a long history. The area was originally inhabited by the pre-Hopi people. And artifacts, such as pottery shards, can still be found in the surrounding forest.
In the early 1900s, the site was homesteaded. The original homestead house still stands. Although the cabin is newly rebuilt, the old stone chimney that runs along the outside remains. Ruins of another settlement building rest near the entry gates. And the farm also sits at the head of one of the largest aquifers in the state. A hand-dug well from 1910 still exists next to a towering cottonwood tree in the center of the gardens.
To get to Terra Farm, guests must travel down a dirt Forest Service road, which cuts through one of the largest working cattle ranches in the country. According to Porter, this was also one of the original trade routes into Prescott. A small, unmarked access road then leads visitors through the forest and into the clearing below.
Because of its remote location, the entire farm is off the grid. Solar panels power the electricity, propane tanks offer fuel for cooking, and seven wells supported by numerous storage tanks provide water for all of the accommodations as well as the farm.
Arizona Pride
The property revolves around the five C’s of Arizona: copper, cattle, cotton, citrus and climate. From the products used throughout the buildings, to the plants and animals on the farm, to the modern temperatures of the high-desert locale, each pillar of the state can be found here.
The local experience beings in the main lodge, which was built onsite by the landowner and Porter’s business partner. It’s held together with large iron brackets that were designed and crafted by a former caretaker of the farm. He also created the showstopping iron chandelier in the dining room, which hangs above a massive mesquite table made by Tucson-based Taber & Co. Western-themed art and antique furnishings fill the large communal spaces.
In the kitchen, custom cabinetry crafted in Flagstaff is stocked with dishware by a local pottery. Locally-made ceramics and Arizona-made lavender bath products greet guests in their rooms.
Accommodations consist of seven manor rooms, one master suite and a separate cottage that sleeps six. The comfy quarters are named after indigenous trees and accessed with keys held by handcrafted leather tags. Even the bed linens are made in state.
Guests will feel as though they stepped directly into the Wild West — albeit with a touch of rustic luxury. Each manor room is uniquely decorated, but all showcase chunky dark wood furnishings, leather seating and Pima cotton bedding. There are no TVs or telephones — by design — but satellite Wi-Fi is available.
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Terra Farm: A Gourmand Destination
While Terra Farms offers an escape from the bustle of everyday life, the main attraction here is the food. Guests commit to a four-day, three-night sojourn that includes daily cooking classes in a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen, cocktail parties, multicourse meals and a plethora of activities, from hiking and fly fishing to wine tastings and yoga classes. A game room offers traditional fun with poker, darts and board games. Or, curl up in the library with a book about Western history.
Each all-inclusive stay is focused around a theme, such as the art of baking bread or exploring Arizona meats and cheeses, with classes taught by experts in each field. Between the classes, the garden, and the livestock, Terra Farm is truly “backyard-to-table,” Porter says.
The chef selected the livestock raised on-site for the quality and flavor profile of their meat, milk and eggs. There are Wagyu cattle, Iberian pigs, Icelandic sheep, Rouen ducks and French black copper maran chickens, among others.
Acres of fields and greenhouses are filled with vegetables, herbs, and a chef’s garden. A 2-acre orchard provides a variety of fresh fruit. And class participants harvest their own produce.
If You Go to Terra Farm
Terra Farm offers a select number of epicurean experiences throughout the year. It is not open on a nightly basis. Retreats run Thursday through Sunday and include accommodations, all meals, cooking classes, farm tours, and most activities. See the farm’s online calendar online calendar for upcoming events and plan accordingly. Private events and group retreats are booked separately and can be scheduled throughout the year.
A stay at Terra Farm is not for the frugal traveler. A three-night stay starts at about $1,000 per night for single occupancy and $1,850 for double occupancy. The separate ranch house runs $5,850 per night. These rates are on par with another luxurious all-inclusive Arizona resort that requires two- or three-night stays: Castle Hot Springs, located about an hour north of downtown Phoenix in the Bradshaw Mountains, starts at about $2,000 per night for double occupancy.
So if you’re looking for a place to escape and truly unwind — and farm-fresh gourmet food is at the top of your must-have list — then I suggest putting Terra Farm + Manor on your culinary bucket list.
The featured image is courtesy of Terra Farm + Manor. All other photos by Rebecca L. Rhoades.
