Washington State University’s annual Local Food and Farm Tour returns to Jefferson County this weekend, with more farms opening their doors to visitors than ever before.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, the free, self-guided tour takes place throughout the county at participating farms.
Maps of the tour locations are available online at jefferson.wsu.edu, at the Port Townsend Food Co-Op, at the WSU Extension Center in Port Hadlock on Sunday or at WSU’s booth at the Port Townsend Farmers Market on Saturday.
Kate Dean, coordinator of the farm tour, said last year’s event drew more than 1,000 visitors to local farms, and she expects this year to be even bigger.
“Local food is hot right now,” Dean said.
“People are hungry for more information about where their food comes from and how it was grown.
“The Farm Tour provides them with this, as well as free family fun.”
Participating farms are:
• Short’s Family Farm and its grass-fed cattle.
• Bishop Dairy, the only remaining dairy in Jefferson County.
• Mystery Bay Farm and goat dairy.
• Wild Harvest Creamery, which produces heritage breeds and goat cheese.
• Gunning Family Farm and its 30,000 pounds of potatoes.
• Finnriver Farm, with mixed berries and ciders.
• Red Dog Farm, featuring 9 acres of vegetables.
• Colinwood Farm with its “in town” farm stand.
• Froghill Farm, featuring seed growing research.
• Sunfield Farm, demonstrating biodynamic techniques.
• Fairwinds Winery and Farm, with free wine tasting.
• Whiskey Hill Goat Dairy.
• Wild Fire Cidery, featuring new hard cider vintages.
• Old Tarboo Farm with zucchini races.
“It’s exciting to see the involvement and showcase how the local farm movement is moving beyond just vegetables,” Dean said.
As an example of that movement, a “Fiber Loop” has been added on the tour this year to feature four county farms that raise animals purely for their coats.
Ananda Hills, Jacob’s Fleece, Spring Hill and Taylored Fibers will all open their gates to those wanting to learn more about wool, processing and crafting through demonstrations of shearing, carding, spinning, weaving and knitting.
The Farm Tour is not the only way to celebrate local food this week.
Community gardens
This Saturday, WSU is introducing a Grow Your Own Tour of local community gardens from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Grow Your Own Tour will give people the opportunity to peek behind the fences at small, local farms such as the Dryland Wheat Project, Rosewind, New Song, Jackman Street, Olycap Food Bank and Patch 22 community gardens.
More information on the Grow Your Own Tour is available at WSU’s booth at the Port Townsend Farmers Market on Saturday.
For information regarding locations, times and participants in all Farm Tour events visit WSU’s Web site at http://jefferson.wsu.edu or phone 360-379-5610.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
