PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Farm Tour, now in it’s 23rd year, will take place this weekend.
Jefferson County’s agricultural community is robust and full of enthusiasm, said Danny Milholland, director of operations for the Production Alliance, which hosts the event.
The county draws young farmers both to start farms and to work on them, he said.
“There are a lot of diverse practices and exciting, enthusiastic farmers growing food in Jefferson County,” Milholland said. “It’s one of the more exciting careers and industries happening in Jefferson County.”
This year’s self-guided tour will allow participants the chance to see behind the scenes on local food production on more than a dozen farms.
Suggested donations of $10 can be made at any of the farms, and participants will receive a sticker showing they have donated.
The theme of this year’s tour is local food resilience and security.
“Our goal in general is to strengthen the culture of growing food and consuming local food as a baseline critical aspect of local culture,” Milholland said.
With food being a common denominator for people, Milholland said the tour is placing focus on access for all.
“Essentially, there’s zero barrier to consuming local food in Jefferson County,” Milholland said. “The food bank provides local food. You can get SNAP EBT. We’re really highly encouraging all county residents to invest in our local food systems and become part of the local food systems. We are all united through the food we eat, through the water we drink.”
The tour will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with some farms participating both days and others one or the other.
Saturday
Space Twins Provisions at White Lotus Farm, 3723 Beaver Valley Road, Port Ludlow.
Quimper Grange Food Bank Garden, 1219 Corona St, Port Townsend.
Taggartshire Farm, 1390 Center Road, Chimacum.
Saturday and Sunday
The Glendale Farm, 431 Center Road, Chimacum.
Compass Rose Farms, 1463 W. Uncas Road, Port Townsend.
Wilderbee Farm, 223 Cook Ave., Port Townsend.
Salish Coast Production Farm and Teaching Garden, 1637 Grant St., Port Townsend.
Kodama Farm and Food Forest, 42 Tall Tree Lane, Chimacum.
Chimacum Workhorse, 124 Center Road, Chimacum.
Sunfield Farm and School, 111 Sunfield Lane, Port Hadlock-Irondale.
Sailor Vineyards, 1673 Woodland Ave., Port Townsend.
Shy Acre Farm, San Juan Avenue and Discovery Road, Port Townsend.
Sunday
Organic Seed Alliance Demonstration Farm, 124 Center Road, Chimacum.
Eaglemount Wine and Cider, 1893 S. Jacob Miller Road, Port Townsend.
Chimacum Valley Grainery at Shorts Farm, 142 Barn Swallow Road, Chimacum.
A map of the farms can be found on the events website at theproductionalliance.org/events/farmtour.
Milholland highlighted Short’s Family Farm as a location with multiple partnerships and operations coming together on a single property.
“One of the most exciting farms to go check out is going to be the Short’s Farm, which was recently purchased by the Port of Port Townsend,” Milholland said. “It’s just a super dynamic property that’s hosting a number of different farming operations.”
Short’s Family Farm is located at 1594 Center Road, Chimacum.
One Straw Ranch is going to have a booth, and the Chimacum Granary, which has a presence on the farm, will be there for the tour.
The farm also has a Community Boat Project on the property, Milholland said.
“The Port of Port Townsend has become a foundational support for the farming industry, investing in the future of food production in Jefferson County,” Milholland said.
Events and workshops
A beekeeping workshop will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at Glendale Farm.
A wool processing workshop will allow participants to observe and partake in steps required to turn raw wool into clothing at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Taggartshire Farm.
A workshop on worms will be hosted at the Quimper Grange at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday.
A tour after party is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Finnriver, 124 Center Road, Chimacum. The event will feature live music by The Boy Howdies!
For a full list of events and workshops, visit the farm tour’s webpage.
The farm tour is a financial boost for the farms that take part, both in day of sales of produce, baked goods and value-added products and in strengthening relationships with the community, Milholland said.
“This is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, financial boost they get throughout the year at the farms,” he said.
On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Port Townsend Farmers Market will take place at 650 Tyler St.
On Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Chimacum farmers markets will take place at 9122 Rhody Drive.
Milholland said people who miss the tour can connect with local farms at the regularly scheduled markets.
Many of the farms involved do not regularly host events and available parking may vary. Milholland requested that attendees be patient and respectful as they find parking.
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Reporter Elijah Sussman can be reached by email at elijah.sussman@peninsuladailynews.com.
