Whatcom County Farm Tour an important source of new on-farm business

Media contact: Sara Southerland, Food & Farming Outreach Coordinator sara@sconnect.org, (360) 647.7093 x114
          
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         
September 13, 2011 – Bellingham, WA

Whatcom County Farm Tour an important source of new on-farm business

Bellingham, WA – The 4th Annual Whatcom County Farm Tour put on last Saturday by Sustainable Connections was a hit among Whatcom County residents and visitors alike. With 10 farms, two wineries and the Bellingham Farmers Market participating, tour-goers had the chance for culinary and agricultural adventures galore.

Under sunny skies and temperatures over 80 degrees, bicyclists and carpoolers alike made their way across county roads to see the faces of local farm animals, farmers and get to know the stories behind the food produced on those farms.

Anna Rankin toured six of the farms with a group of friends. “It was a fabulous time,” Rankin says. “We rode the train at Boxx Berry Farm, took photos with bison, tasted wine, picked vegetables at Half Acre Farm and really had a great day!” Rankin, who is a co-owner of The Table and Bellingham Pasta Company said she also found products that she plans to showcase at the restaurant in the future.

At Camelot Alpaca Ranch, owner Carol Boswell said that tour-goers seemed to come and stay a while. Offering activities such as needle felting a bookmark was a friendly addition to getting up close and personal with the alpacas themselves.

“We just so enjoyed introducing the crafted needle-felting to so many – people just loved it,” Boswell said. “We also got lots of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ about the animals and how wonderful it was to be upclose to them.”

For Farmer Ben’s, a grass-fed beef, chicken and pork farm south of Lynden run by Ben and Jessica Elenbaas, the day was busy. Their first year as a part of the Farm Tour, they saw many new faces on the farm throughout the day, and there were long lines at their farm store.

Whatcom County Farm Tour farm participants report that the Tour is a valuable source of new customers for their on-farm businesses.

“We put on the Whatcom County Farm Tour each year with the help of the farmers, and many community members. The Farm Tour is a great way to connect people with our unique place, and the source of their food,” said Laura Ridenour, Food & Farming Manager at Sustainable Connections. “It’s hands-on deliciousness.”

The Whatcom County Farm Tour is held the second Saturday in September each year.

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