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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
www.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)
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)
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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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