If you’ve never heard about geocaching and are interested in a new form of treasure-hunting, this relatively new hobby will definitely pique your interest.
This May was the official start of the Farm Art Trail GeoTour through which artists from the Wallkill River School of Art have teamed up with 15 farms that are open-to-the public to create an on-going geocaching event.
Geocahing is “like a high-tech treasure hunt,” said artist and Executive Director for the Wallkill River School, Shawn Dell Joyce. She spoke to Epoch Times about the game which, admittedly, might seem a tad complicated to those not bitten by the geocaching bug.
The idea for the Farm Art Trail came from a special meeting called a charrette hosted by the Wallkill School where artists met with Orange County farmers to generate ideas that would improve the economy of the area.
The Wallkill School has been involved in previous partnerships with farms that included a local foods cookbook, as well as hosting art classes directly out on farms. They hosted the charette in 2011 and when the farmers heard about geocaching “they responded with quizzical looks,” said Dell Joyce. “Most of the farmers had never heard of this kind of hobby.”
But they became interested once they understood the advantages of being part of the tour.
“We wanted to bring customers directly to farmers’ doors. This is a way to reach an audience that might not go to farm markets,” said Del Joyce.
A lot of the geocahers have since told Del Joyce that they didn’t even know that these farms existed, even though they live in the county. So the farms are getting exposure from a brand new audience.
