CA Agrotourism: SLO’s Madonna Inn

Taylor Hillman General

Erika Schaeffer, Trail Guide

Erika Schaeffer, Trail Guide

As we head into the last holiday weekend of the summer, it’s easy in California to incorporate agriculture into your weekend fun. Sabrina Hill shows us how one popular resort has done just that.

CA Agrotourism: SLO’s Madonna Inn

The Madonna Inn is a popular and unique destination resort in San Luis Obispo. Along with the on-site restaurants, pools, tennis, and various other activities, the inn now gives guests the chance to experience life on the trail, at least for a few hours, with their guided trail rides. Mat Tornquist is the operations manager for the Madonna Inn. He tells us the Madonna family has a long history in cattle and horses.

The trail rides are not only fun for the hotel guests, but a good job for animal science majors at nearby Cal Poly. In fact, Hill took the trail ride there earlier this week, and her guide was Erica Schaeffer. Schaeffer just graduated from Cal Poly with a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences. She will soon apply for grad school and work toward a career in equine reproduction.

Listen to the full Mat Tornquist Interview

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