Photo credit: Telegraph (UK)

President Barack Obama and his family will vacation this month - on a farm.

The First Family has rented the Blue Heron Farm near Chilmark on Martha's Vineyard for the last week of August, according to the Vineyard Gazette.

Of course, it isn't a farm the way you and I think of a farm. But it does come with an apple orchard and flower and vegetable gardens, not to mention a golf practice tee and a small basketball court.

The property is said to be near West Tisbury's town center, including a library, general store and farmers' market.

The 28.5-acre farm has four dwellings - apparently enough room for the family, the Secret Service and the press corps and White House staff that has to travel with the president.

The Vineyard Gazette also reports that the rent being paid for the property isn't known, but similar properties go for $30,000 to $50,000 a week. The property sold in 2005 for more than $20 million.

According to the Gazette, the search for a vacation spot began in the spring and more than 20 Vineyard properties were check and rejected.

Mrs. Obama, the Gardener in Chief, may head to the Vineyard early with her daughters and stay with other friends there, with the president to follow.

Of course, this news did not pass without comment. Several readers of the Gazette Web site posted complaints that it was a waste of money in these difficult economic times.