PORT TOWNSEND — Local farms have their gates and doors open this weekend to visitors, allowing them to get up close and personal with East Jefferson County’s agricultural success.
“At the farmers market, you get to meet the people who grow the food and shake the hand that feeds you,” said Will O’Donnell, Jefferson County Farmers Market director.
“On the farm tour, you get to walk the field in their shoes and see where the good comes from.”
The free self-guided tour began Saturday and continues today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It includes 18 farms in and around Port Townsend, Marrowstone Island, Discovery Bay, Chimacum, Port Ludlow and Quilcene.
The Fiber Farm Tour, a subset of the Jefferson County Farm Tour, includes five farms where visitors can browse through fiber products.
For a full schedule, go to http://tinyurl.com/PDN-Farm-Tour.
Farm Tour Central will be open in a tent at the Chimacum Corner Farmstand, 9122 Rhody Drive. Visitors can get maps, ask questions and get directions.
Farming changing
O’Donnell said the face of farming in Jefferson County is changing and the tour is a good place to witness those changes.
“In the past, a lot of farming [in the Chimacum Valley] was going against nature, but the new crops introduce a healthier relationship with the environment,” he said.
“There are fewer hay fields and more places growing organic, fresh vegetables.”
The Jefferson County Farm Tour is organized by the Washington State University Jefferson County Extension Service.
Organizers say it draws several thousand visitors each year.
The goals of the tour are to educate the community about sound agricultural practices; foster beneficial relationships between community members and local farmers; promote positive impacts of locally grown food, fiber and other farm-made products; and assist local farmers with marketing efforts.
The farms span many production systems including wine, dairy, meat, lavender, fiber, fruit, cider, vegetable and shellfish.
WSU Extension Director Laura Lewis said the number of participants makes the tour special.
“Places like Clallam County only have six or eight farms on their farm tour, and we have a real hard time limiting it to 20,” she said.
“We are fortunate that we have so many farmers who are willing to open their farms to the public and show off what they do.”
Lewis said the tour is an opportunity to meet the farmers, see what they do and learn about the farming process.
“Many people don’t have the financial assets to purchase local food because it can be more expensive, but the farm tour can help them to understand its potential without them having to spend any money,” she said.
“By talking to the farmers, they can discover what it’s like to undertake that occupation, which can be difficult and not very financially rewarding.”
Fiber farms
The fiber farms will feature spinning and weaving demonstrations as well as wool products for sale.
Those who visit four of the five fiber farms will receive a free raffle ticket for a chance to win a basket filled with fiber goodies.
A Pie Party was set for Saturday evening at H.J. Carroll Park, 9884 state Highway 19, and included music, a Pie Walk, local commercial pies and slices for sale.
Lewis called the Pie Party the “beta test” of what she hopes will be a yearly event.
O’Donnell said the farm tour is “a really fun event” that includes activities, music and games to keep children engaged.
One example is Serendipity Farm, 141 Cemetery Road in Quilcene, where farm children will be giving visiting children tours of their favorite places on the farm, including animals and their gourd house, according to farm owner Chris Llewelyn.
The farm plans a potluck for all who want to enjoy it today at the end of the tour.
“Serendipity is your home away from home for supper” this evening “and is a great way to celebrate Quilcene,” Llewelyn said.
Animals blessed today
To celebrate the end of the tour, the Ministerial Association of East Jefferson County will host a countywide “Blessing of the Animals” celebration at 3 p.m. today at Sunfield Farm, 111 Sunfield Lane in Port Hadlock.
Participants are encouraged to bring household pets on leashes or in appropriate carriers or something to represent the pet in their absence to receive a blessing from a member of the local clergy.
Donations of both pet and human food will be accepted and taken to the food bank.
The 19th annual Clallam County Farm Tour will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. The cost will be $10 per carload.
For more information, see http://tinyurl.com/PDN-clallamfarmtour.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
