Transport Options
As the MO Farm Tour is designed to minimize the need for single-occupancy vehicle trips, we've put together a multi-modal list of alternative transportation options to facilitate Volunteer transport between Farms on the Tour...
Ride-sharing
The easiest option! Typically most Farm-to-Farm links on the MO Farm Tour can be reached within an hour's car drive (two hours out-and-back ~ 120 miles) in order to pick up Volunteers from the previous Farm. At an average 20 mpg, and $4.00/gal of gas, this would cost the Farm about $24 in Volunteer transport costs - not bad for otherwise free labor! This option also can be coordinated with other trips the Farm may need to make.
* Additionally, it gives each Farm an opportunity to explore neighboring Farms along the Tour route in order to compare notes!
Bus
Greyhound - e.g. from St. Louis to Columbia => $39 one-way
Rural Transportation Alternatives (OATS)
Train
AMTRAK - e.g. from STL to KC => $40 one-way
Bicycle
The preferred mode of transport for the MO Farm Tour! A touring bicycle, a trailer for luggage, and a leisurely Sunday afternoon can allow a healthy farm worker / bicycle enthusiast to cycle between most Farms in about 8 hours. (don't believe me? check out Murrs Across America!)
Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation
Missouri Trails Network (TrailNet)
Truck
We will also be looking into the possibilty of coordinating rides with friendly, privately-owned trucking companies (preferably with dedicated routes across the state).
see also: Missouri Trucking Association
Horse & Buggy
The Amish and Mennonite communities are onto something here!
Other
Some other options include:
coordinating rides with truckers along trucking routes to local truck stops, from which the Farm can pick up Volunteers.
hitchhiking (at your own risk, of course!)
utilizing private regional airports - as some of Missouri's more adventurous farmers even get around via helicopter!
and check this out > Sail Transport Network