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Monday April 13 – Terry’s Berries, Tacoma
Recordkeeping in a Diversified Vegetable & Fruit Operation, 12:30pm-4pm
Download the Booklet on this Farm Walk
Terry’s Berries is a 20-acre diversified organic vegetable and fruit farm that markets produce through an extensive CSA, on-farm store and farmers markets. Terry will share the specific recordkeeping tools she uses to plan, stay organized and track information during her extended production and marketing season. She will share her forms, systems and ideology, including CSA planning and tracking, organic certification records, greenhouse planning and planting, capturing harvest information, and ways to use records for planning future farm improvements. (Organic)
Driving Directions: 4520 River Road, Tacoma, 98443
From I-5 north, take exit 135, at the end of the off ramp, turn left, proceed through light, and stay on this street. You will pass the Emerald Queen Casino. The road turns sharply to the right; bear left at the Y where River Road begins but there are no signs. We are 1 mile from this light at this intersection.
Coming from I-5 south, take exit 135. The exit ramp puts you on the road to River Road. See above directions.
From WA167, Auburn or other points north, you will take the exit to Tacoma, but turn left into Puyallup, cross the Puyallup River, and see Fred Meyer shopping center on your right. Turn right at the light. We are about 4.5 miles from Fred Meyer. When you see the Two Bears coffee shop and the truck driving school, get in the left hand turn lane because our driveway is right after the school. Their trucks block our sign so it is easy to miss our place from that direction.
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Monday April 27 – Lopez Island Farm, Lopez Island
Pastured Pigs and Soil Fertility,
10am-1pm
Bruce Dunlop is a grass farmer and meat producer who utilizes rotational grazing to optimize soil nutrients. Pig manure fertilizes fall-planted pasture which feeds sheep in subsequent years. A Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) farmer grant is helping Bruce compare soil fertility in plots with pigs pastured under different rotation regimes. See and discuss early results of this on-going research with Bruce and WSU faculty collaborators Tom Schultz and Craig Cogger. Sheep breeding, offal composting, meat production, processing, and marketing methods, and the Island Grown Farmers Cooperative USDA certified mobile meat processing unit will also be discussed. Special Note: Attendees should plan to board the ferry from Anacortes at 8:50 am and board return ferry from Lopez Island at 1:35 or 4:55 pm (Ferry Schedule). Roundtrip fares: passenger: $10.95; vehicle + driver: $26.60; bicycle surcharge: $2.00. See tilthproducers.org for shuttle information. (Sustainable)
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Monday, May 18 – Monteillet Fromagerie, Dayton
French Cheesemaking in the Walla Walla Valley,
12:30pm-3:30pm
(followed by optional wine & cheese tasting)
Monteillet Fromagerie was the first artisan cheese farmstead in the Walla Walla Valley of Southeastern Washington and features a Grade A dairy and cheese making facility. On 31-acres, Joan and Pierre Louis Monteillet intensively manage pasture for Alpine goats, East Freisan-Lacaune sheep, poultry and pigs. Throughout the production of traditional hand ladled chevres (goat) and brebis (sheep) milk cheeses, the Monteillets strive to foster a lifestyle that is creative physically and spiritually, as well as economically. Following the farm walk, Joan will host an optional cheese & wine tasting for an additional $15. (Transitioning to Biodynamic)
Download the Booklet on this Farm Walk
Driving Directions: 109 Ward Road, Dayton, WA 98328
From Walla Walla: Take SR12 East toward Waitsburg/Lewiston, in Waitsburg, turn right on Preston Avenue (three-way stop). Continue on SR12 for 7 miles. You will pass Dumas Winery on the left. ( they make fantastic wine! ). At Ward Road turn left. You will see a metal goat and antler sculpture on the left and a house directly in front of you. Bear left at the house and cross over the small bridge. About 1/10 of a mile turn left immediately after the second house there is a small goat sign at the intersection to point the way. The Fromagerie is at the end of the road. From Tri Cites: Traveling on SR84 East leaving Pasco, and after crossing the double span bridge, turn left onto SR 124 to Prescott/Waitsburg. In Waitsburg, turn right at Main Street and take an Immediate left onto Preston Avenue. Continue on SR12 for 7 miles. You will pass Dumas Winery on the left ( they make fantastic wine! ). At Ward Road turn left. Crossing over the railroad tracks You will see a metal goat and antler sculpture on the left and a house directly in front of you. Bear left at the house and cross over the small bridge. About 1/10 of a mile turn left immediately after the second house there is a small goat sign at the intersection to point the way. The Fromagerie is at the end of the road.
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Monday June 8 – Crown S Ranch, Winthrop
Organic Animal Husbandry,
12:30pm-4pm
Crown S Ranch is a 120-acre, pasture-based organic farm owned and operated by the Sukovaty-Argraves family. Engineers by training, Louis and Jennifer have combined innovative, modern technologies with sustainable, old-fashioned practices to create humane, economically and environmentally-sound animal husbandry systems that are "better for the animals, better for the environment, and better for you." Farm Walk participants will discuss techniques for integrating cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens and lamb using management-intensive pasture rotations. Come see their solar powered chicken train and learn about nutrient recycling to minimize off-farm inputs (closed farming system), on-farm organic hay, grain and feed production, and meat processing. (Organic)
Driving Directions: 1 Twin Lakes Road Winthrop, WA 98862
Heading either South from Winthrop or North from Twisp on HWY 20, turn West on Twin Lakes Road. We are the very first Left, just a few feet from the turn. You will see a small old fashioned looking cabin with our Crown S Ranch sign on top.
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Monday June 22 – Estrella Family Creamery, Montesano
Artisan Cheese Production,
12:30pm-4pm
Estrella Family Creamery is a 164-acre grass-based dairy located in the Wynoochee Valley of Southwest Washington. Kelli and her family make twenty different types of aged cheeses by hand, several of which have received national and international awards. Cows and goats graze in organically-maintained pastures and are fed alternative forages such as oat hay and fodder beets. Tour the farm and see the cheese making operation, including five separate cheese aging rooms, each with its own unique environment. The Estrellas sell their cheese at Seattle farmer's markets, local retail stores, and an on-farm store on Saturdays. (Organic/Sustainable)
SPECIAL NOTE: To prevent the spread of disease in Estrella’s cheese making facilities, please do not wear your normal farm boots or shoes that may have been exposed to livestock at your own or another farm.
Driving Directions: 659 Wynooche Valley Rd Montesano, WA 98563-9313
From I-5 North or South:
Merge onto US-101 N via EXIT 104 toward ABERDEEN/ PORT ANGELES. 5.9 mi
Take WA-8 W toward MONTESANO/ ABERDEEN. 21.0 mi
WA-8 W becomes US-12 W. 10.0 mi
Take the ramp toward JCT WA-107/ MONTESANO/ RAYMOND. 0.3 mi
Turn RIGHT onto S MAIN ST. 0.2 mi
Turn LEFT onto W PIONEER AVE/ OLD WA-410. 1.1 mi
Continue to follow OLD WA-410.
Turn RIGHT onto WYNOOCHEE VALLEY RD. 4.5 mi
End at 659 Wynooche Valley Rd Montesano, WA 98563-9313
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Monday July 13 – Let Us Farm, Oakville
Organic Mixed Vegetable Production and Farmer Transition,
12:30pm-4pm
Steve Hallstrom and Cecelia Boulais have converted a defunct 80-acre dairy on the Chehalis River to a productive organic mixed vegetable farm. Produce is sold through farmers markets and the Olympia Food Cooperative. Steve and Cecelia strive for sustainability through utilizing summer and winter cover crops and field rotations; conservation tree planting and habitat strips. Tour the greenhouses, hoop houses and fields. See innovative farmer housing including a converted silo, milk-tank suite and dining parlor. In partnership with Cascade Harvest Coalition’s FarmLink Program, Steve and Cecelia will share how they “grow farmers,” and discuss their plan to transition the operation to the next generation. (Organic)
Download the Let Us Farm Farm Walk Booklet HERE (PDF 1.4MB)
(This PDF recommends Adobe Acrobat Reader version 8.0 or later, however, you may open each file of the package with earlier versions. Click HERE to download the latest Adobe Reader version.)
Driving Directions: 36 Damitio Rd, Oakville, WA 98568-9700
From I-5 North or South:
Take the US-12 W exit, EXIT 88, toward ABERDEEN/ TENINO. 0.3 mi
Turn RIGHT onto US-12/ HWY 99 SW. 11.3 mi
Continue to follow US-12.
Turn LEFT onto STATE ST. 0.3 mi
STATE ST becomes GARRARD CREEK RD. 0.3 mi
GARRARD CREEK RD becomes OAKVILLE RD. 1.3 mi
OAKVILLE RD becomes S BANK RD. 4.2 mi
Turn RIGHT onto DAMITIO RD. 0.1 mi
End at 36 Damitio Rd Oakville, WA 98568-9700
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Thursday July 30 – WSU Field Day and Organic Farm, Pullman
Current University Research and Teaching in Organic Farming – Eastern Washington,
9:30am-1pm
Come discover the latest research and hands-on teaching methods being tested at the Washington State University (WSU) Organic Farm in Pullman, including a four-year study of diverse winter and summer vegetables grown in unheated, unlit field hoop houses to increase production efficiency. The farm operates a 105-member fruit and vegetable CSA, selling to the local community. Students provide the bulk of the labor as part of their academic program. Tour the farm with the farmers, researchers, and students guiding the discussions. Visitors will be introduced to current student projects and faculty research plots. (Organic)
Driving Directions:
From I-90 Eastbound, Take exit 245 for WA-23 toward Sprague/Harrington. Turn right at WA-23, and drive 43.6 mi. Turn right at Inland St/US-195, and continue on WA-195 for 9.1 mi. Take a slight left at N Main St/US-195, go 1.2 mi. Continue on E James St/WA-195, and follow WA-195 for 12.8 mi. Turn left at NW Davis Way/WA-270, bear right to stay on NW Davis Way/WA-270 for
2.2 mi. In Pullman, turn left at N Grand Ave/WA-27. Turn right at NE Stadium Way, 0.3 mi. Turn left at NE Valley Rd, 0.4 mi. Turn left at NE Merman Dr. Turn right at NE Terre View Dr, 0.3 mi. Continue on Farm Way, 1.2 mi. Turn left at Airport Rd/Airport Complex N. WSU Organic Farm is located inside Tukey Horticultural Orchard at the corner of Airport and Terre View Roads. Once inside Tukey, follow the signs to the organic farm.
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Monday August 3 – WSU Field Day and Organic Farm, Puyallup
Current University Research in Organic Farming – Western Washington,
1pm-4pm
WSU Puyallup’s experimental organic farm highlights a wide variety of organic practices, research plots, and riparian buffer management strategies. The organic farming and nutrient management research team has partnered with berry researchers to evaluate day-neutral strawberry varieties. The organic strawberry trial will run for three years and early results will be shared during the farm walk. Pastured sheep have recently been added to the system, helping researchers understand soil quality and fertility changes with the addition of pasture to a vegetable rotation. Pastured poultry have been part of the experimental farm since its inception–chickens and mobile chicken tractors will be on display. Experimental riparian buffers surround the organic farm and considerations for including buffers in your whole farm plan will be discussed. Other topics include Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for food safety and drip irrigation. (Organic)
www.puyallup.wsu.edu/soilmgmt
Driving Directions: 2601 W. Pioneer Way, Puyallup, WA
From Eastern Washington:
Take I-90 west across Snoqualmie Pass.
Exit 4 miles past North Bend on Exit 25, Hwy 18 (Auburn-Tacoma).
Take Hwy 18 past Auburn and exit on Hwy 167 South.
Take the Puyallup exit that turns into Hwy 512 West (Puyallup-Olympia).
Exit onto Pioneer Way, turn left (west) on Pioneer Way and go through Puyallup 2 miles to the WSU Puyallup Research & Extension Center on the left. (Just past the Fruitland Ave intersection.)
From the North:
Take I-5 south to exit 135 to WA-167 N (28th St). This exit will put you onto Bay Street that goes back under the freeway and connects to River Road. Get in the right lane.
Turn right onto Pioneer Way E. at the intersection where the road splits.
Continue on Pioneer Way E. This curves around and comes to the intersection at Canyon Road and Pioneer Way E. Here, Pioneer Way E turns into Pioneer Ave E.
Continue on Pioneer Av E to the next light. This is the intersection of Pioneer Way, 72nd, and Woodland Ave. Turn left at this intersection. Immediately get in the righthand lane.
The WSU entrance is just past the old gray and crimson colored Victorian house on the right.
From the South:
Take I-5 north to exit 127 (Puyallup-Mt. Rainier) onto Hwy 512 East.
Take the 4th Puyallup exit (Pioneer Way).
Turn left on Pioneer Way heading west.
Go 2 miles through Puyallup (from Meridian go through 3 stop lights). There is a sign with Washington State University Research & Extension Center on the left just past Fruitland Ave.
Alternate Route Using Hwy 512:
Take the Canyon Road-Summit exit.
Turn left at the light onto Canyon Road heading north.
Go north to 72nd St. E.
Turn right at the light. Stay in the righthand lane, and go down the hill.
Continue about a ¼ mile. The WSU entrance is just past the old Victorian house on the right.
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Monday August 17 – Alvarez Farms, Mabton
Large Scale Diversified Vegetable Row Crops,
12:30pm-4pm
The 120-acre Alvarez Farm is located in the upper Yakima Valley, with its rich volcanic soil, relatively moderate climate, and abundant irrigation water from the Yakima River. Hilario and Soledad Alvarez grow over 200 varieties of vegetables and melons, including a large diversity of peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, zucchini, peas, beets, green onions, corn, okra, garlic, summer and winter squash, peanuts and more. Produce is sold throughout the Yakima Valley and through farmers markets in the Puget Sound region. More than 120 varieties of peppers and 50 varieties of tomatoes are grown from seeds harvested from their own crop. By taking soil tests every three years, the Alvarez family carefully monitors key soil indicators and organic matter content to ensure the long-term health of their farmland. Farm Walk attendees will see the entire operation, learn about soil monitoring and improvement, and how to make water-based pest spray using garlic cloves. (Organic)
Driving Directions: Alvarez Farm Driving Directions: The Farm is in Mabton, WA, SE of Yakima on Hwy 82. The farm address is 300 Murray Road.
From I-90 East or West, take the I-82 S exit at Ellensburg (exit #110). Proceed past Yakima, and at exit 67, turn Right onto Midvale Road and go 2.2 miles. Make a right onto Murray Rd and drive 0.3 miles to the farm on the left at 300 Murray Rd.
From Wenatchee, follow WA-28 past the Rock Island Dam through Quincy and George. Proceed on I-90 West from George for 11.5 miles, and take exit #137/Othello (WA-243)/Richland onto WA-26, go 1.7 mi. Turn right on WA-243 - go 28.3 mi (through Mattawa). Continue on WA-24 - go 5.4 mi. Turn right on WA-24 - go 8.1 mi. Turn left on WA-241 - go 17.6 mi. Turn right to take ramp onto I-82 W - go 1.7 mi. Take exit #67/Sunnyside - go 0.3 mi. Turn Left on Midvale Road - go 2.4 mi. Turn right onto Murray Rd - go 0.3 mi. Arrive at the farm 300 Murray Rd, on the left.
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Monday September 28th – Blue Dog Farm, Carnation
Berry Production, Static Composting, and Raising Children while Farming,
12:30pm-4pm
Owners Amy and Scott Turner will share information and host discussions on a wide range of topics while we tour their dynamic community-rich farm. These farmers will share how they are changing Blue Dog Farm into a more diverse and integrated farm by combining vegetable and fruit production with animal and feed production. With berries as the main crop, attendees will see a variety of weed and disease control practices for small acreage fresh market blueberries and raspberries. Another main highlight at Blue Dog Farm is the static aerated pile method for composted mulch. Learn about the benefits of different compost ingredients, equipment, recordkeeping, testing, and best final use. Amy and Scott will also talk about the challenges and benefits of raising children while actively farming. (Organic)
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