The 2009 Harvest Celebration Farm Tour in King County includes four Redmond-based farms and several more in nearby Woodinville, Duvall and Carnation. Participating farms are open to the public from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
The tour allows visitors to celebrate the vitality of local agriculture, learn about the importance of supporting farmers and realize the value and joy of eating locally-grown produce. Many of the farms feature live music, corn or bamboo mazes, hay rides, demonstrations of cider-pressing or other activities.
Redmond tour sites are:
• Farrel-McWhirter Farm, 19545 Redmond Rd., www.redmond.gov.
• The Root Connection, 13607 Woodinville-Redmond Rd., www.rootllc.com.
• Serres Farm, 20306 NE 50th St., web site.
• South 47 Farm, 15410 NE 124th St., www.south47farm.com.
Organized by Washington State University (WSU) King County Extension, the tour’s sponsors include King County, King Conservation District, 4Culture, PCC Natural Markets, Puget Sound Fresh and Full Circle Farm.
Between more than two dozen participating farms in East King County, South King County and Vashon Island, volunteers counted nearly 9,000 visitors during last year’s event, said Karen Holt Luetjen of WSU King County Extension.
“Family fun is a big motivation for people to go on the tour, but people learn a great deal about where their food comes from, so more than half of the people we surveyed planned to shop at farmers’ markets more often and give preference to buying locally grown food,” she remarked.
“New this year is an emphasis on how many farmers are also improving the environment on their farms by using natural alternatives to chemicals, controlling erosion, protecting stream banks and taking other important measures. We are also highlighting the farms that are included in King County’s Farmland Preservation Program.”
As another fun aspect of the farm tour, “We are excited about the Cascade Bicycle Club organizing bike tours for each of the loops of the tour,” said Luetjen.
For a full listing of locations on the 2009 Harvest Celebration Farm Tour, click here. Maps will be distributed at many farmers’ markets, libraries and community centers throughout King County.
