Bogdarnya

If you've fallen in love with farm produce, which is so fashionable right now - or if you just want to take a break from the city, get back to nature and breathe some fresh country air, why not try a taste of agritourism?

A great place to do this is at the Bogdarnya Agricultural and Touristic Complex. Located in picturesque countryside and forest about 120 kilometres east of Moscow, the 400-hectare riverside property provides the chance to experience life on a real, working farm that supplies its meat to its own farm shop in Moscow outside the MKAD in Riga Land. Providing to its own direct customers and clients in Moscow, as well as  to the LavkaLavka cooperative. Here you can learn all about meat production from paddock to plate, watch cheese making, milk the cows, pet the goats, feed Boris the boar and enrich yourself with other forms of educational 'agritainment'. Bogdarnya also provides a wide range of recreational activities, including horse riding, quad biking, fishing, canoeing, hiking, paintball, hiking and more.

The complex was founded by an Englishman, John Kopiski, and his Russian wife Nina. They continue to take a hands-on role in running the complex and are constantly developing and improving it. A 22-room on-site hotel is soon to reopen, before the New Year, in a recently renovated and extended building on the property. Accommodation options include the old school boarding house and hostel to quaint log 'izba' houses on a sandy lake's shore. A  Zepp Holzer permacultural project is not only beautifying the landscape but also laying the groundwork for broader organic farming - including plans to grow grain and make bread.  The equestrian facilities are another high priority, with a spacious manege under construction so that Bogdarnya's 25 pedigree horses can exercise year-round in state-of-the art facilities. The new stable due for completion in December will have individual places for a total of 44 horses, so if you have a horse and want it kept here - you can!  
                                
The complex also hosts children's camps, career guidance programs for school students, plus corporate events, training and seminars. Russian holidays are celebrated in fairytale folksy fashion with traditional costumes, music, dancing and much good old-fashioned merriment.  On a more romantic theme one can also arrange a ride in the forest using one of their horse drawn carriages, or sleighs in winter and have a picnic around a fire with samovar, gluxvin and shashlik.

The farm is situated in Vladimir region, near the town Petushki in Venedikt Yerofeyev's novel 'Moscow-Petushki'. Bogdarnya is an entirely wholesome retreat. The Kopiski's  are devoted Orthodox Christians with a mission to promote a healthy lifestyle, so a visit to Bogdarnya should benefit both body and soul.

You can arrive in your own transport or take one of the many trains a day that travel from Kurski Station to Petushki and there be collected by your hosts.