Issuu

Saturday, Sept. 15 & Sunday, Sept. 16 â€˘ 10 am to 4 pm

Whidbey Island

Farm Tour Guide a supplement created by

Experience Whidbey Island’s deep agricultural roots L ong recognized for its beauty and abundant recreational opportunities, Whidbey Island is also a Mecca for agriculture. The Whidbey Island Farm Tour is a great way to experience that part of island life by connecting with the farmers responsible for providing locally grown food, fiber and other products. This year’s seventh annual Farm Tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 and 16 at 18 different farms all over Whidbey Island. The event is free and participants can take in as many or as few farms as they like, enjoying everything from horses, cows, alpacas, llamas, chickens, turkeys and ducks to herbs and produce such as lavender, strawberries, blueberries, apples, honey, wine grapes and wine. “One of the reasons we started this was to provide an educational opportunity so the general public could get an understanding of the really good things happening on local farms,” said Karen Bishop, Whidbey Island Conservation District manager. “All the farms are really diverse,” Bishop said. “We try to get a good mix of animal agriculture and crop agriculture.” Bishop said the 18 farms participating in the tour this year are a good representation of best farming practices all over the island. Over the course of the weekend, farms will be open to visitors for tours, demonstrations, children’s activities and handson experiences at some locations. The wide variety of farms means everyone should find something they enjoy.

Examiner file photo

Wilbur Purdue of Prairie Bottom Farm grabs a handful of soil from his field in the midst of Ebey’s Prairie near Coupeville as he talks to visitors during last year’s Whidbey Island Farm Tour. His farm is on the tour again this year. “We ask farms to come up with as many different activities as they feel comfortable with,” Bishop said. “This year we have a lot more activities for people to engage in,” said Judy Feldman, director of Greenbank Farm. “We’re having an information scavenger hunt, where people will have to go to various spots on

Where will you . . . plant your roots? If home is where the heart is, then community is where you’ll find your soul. We can help you find your next neighborhood or introduce new neighbors to yours. Stop by our office or visit Windermere.com to learn more.

Coupeville 5 S. Main Street 360/678-5858 Oak Harbor 32785 SR 20, Suite 4 360/675-5953 Freeland 5531 Freeland Ave. 360/331-6006

Windermere Real Estate/Whidbey Island

Langley 223 Second St. 360/221-8898

the farm in order to collect their prize.” Feldman said having something tangible for people to do draws bigger crowds to the farm. Greenbank Farm will also be having a u-pick radish extravaganza for families with children, just one example of what the participating farms put together for families and children to enjoy.

Activities aside, the event draws people not only from Whidbey Island, but regionally as well. Organizers have made a push to draw off-islanders to Whidbey to promote local farms. Last year a large percentage of visitors were not from Whidbey Island. “A lot of people are coming out of urban areas and they’re just excited to have a chance to be on an active farm,” Bishop said. “And there are a lot of local people who might buy their produce at farmers markets every week and this gives them the chance to get out to the farm and see where their food is coming from.” “I think there’s more regional interest around farm food, healthy eating, knowing your farmer,” said Feldman. “I think that interest is cropping up in every county because people see it as a healthy alternative.” All the farms are open for the Farm Tour on Saturday, but some will be closed on Sunday. Bishop recommends those attending check the Farm Tour map and the website (whidbeyfarmtour.com) for any last minute updates or changes before they begin their tour. While the Farm Tour is a family-friendly event all about experiencing what Whidbey Island farms have to offer, it’s also about community. “We’re always about community, that’s the nature of Greenbank Farm,” Feldman said. “It’s nice to be able to cross-promote with other farms and talk with people about what each farm brings to our community to strengthen it.”

LB Construction of Whidbey Island, Inc.

Barns • arenas • staBles • shops • GaraGes storaGe spaces • special projects

(360) 678-5470

Coupeville, Wa • www.lbconstructionofwhidbey.com LIC#LBCONW19680W

EXPERIENCE

• Enjoy Walking Tours • Family Activities • Pick Veggies • Pet Our Goats • Meet Our Farmers Hwy 525 & Wonn Rd. • 360-678-7700 • greenbankfarm.com

Page 2 A special publication of The Whidbey Examiner • The Whidbey Island 2012 Farm Tour Guide

Enjoy Whidbey Island’s ever-evolving farms By Kathy Reed Staff Reporter

Whidbey Island farming by the numbers:

ust as the landscape on Whidbey Island changes with the seasons, so too has the face of farming changed over the course of many seasons. There was a time on Whidbey Island when sheep outnumbered cattle and wheat and potatoes were the cash crops. The fertile soil and natural prairies on the northern half of the island and the timber on the southern half, along with natural harbors such as Penn Cove on Central Whidbey, were appealing to settlers in the mid 1800s, according to information from the Island County Historical Society. The island’s main industry, however, was logging, and many of the first settlers worked in the forests and mills. Many cleared the land, making way for livestock and crops. According to the historical society, there were more than 13 logging camps on South Whidbey alone. By about 1900, most of the timber operations had moved to Camano Island, leaving Whidbey Islanders free to develop their farms. Wheat and potato farming gave way to egg and dairy production in the early 1900s. But our local farms could not compete with mainland production, although there are still several small dairy farms on Whidbey. Wilbur and Karen Bishop of Ebey Road Farm operated a dairy farm in the heart of Ebey’s Prairie until 2007, when the sale of their cows marked the end of traditional dairy farming on Whidbey – at least for awhile. Since then, several small micro-dairies have spring up, producing value-added products made from goat and sheep milk. And plans are in the works for a new dairy to open at the site of the shuttered Engle dairy farm just outside Coupeville. “There are a number of dairy farms operating on the island,” said Karen Bishop, who is manager of the Whidbey Island Conservation District and a member of the Farm Tour planning committee. “Even though we still have larger farms, we’re seeing smaller, one-to-five acre or one-to-ten acre farms sprouting up.” Bishop said the farming community on Whidbey Island is more diverse than ever,

• Island County is home to 7,000 head of cattle, up from 4,000 in 2007 • 1,200 acres of hay were harvested in 2010 • 3,000 acres of other hay, such as onecutting grass hay, harvested in 2010 • 1,300 acres of barley harvested in Island County in 2010 (Second highest yield per acre in the state.)

– Compiled by USDA/National Agricultural Statistics Service, Wash. field office

Examiner file photo

Despite the influx of organic farms, wineries, alpaca farms and specialty crops like lavender and other herbs, traditional farming – such as growing barley – remains a familiar sight on Ebey’s Prairie, in the heart of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. so visitors participating in this year’s Farm Tour will see a wide variety of produce and products offered by island farms. From cattle to carrots, apples to alpacas, grapes to goats, there will be no shortage of interesting agricultural operations to see. Participating farms are happy to share what they do with visitors as well. “It’s fun to be able to open our farm up for people to see what we do and for the exposure as well,” said Rita Comfort of Comfort Farm and Vineyard, one of two wineries

on this year’s tour. The Whidbey Island Farm Tour is now the island’s most prominent agri-tourism event of the year. Scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15 and Sunday, Sept. 16, the event is also a good economic boost for the end of the growing season. Individual farms had as many as 500 visitors in the two-day period last year, Bishop said. Some farms had sales of more than $3,500 in products and produce. “I take pride that I can give people some-

thing I made by hand,” said Mary Donaty of Paradise Found Fiber Farm, one of several farms on the tour offering fiber from alpacas, llamas and goats. The “eat local” movement is strong on Whidbey, as well. “People are interested in eating locally grown, locally produced items and I think that’s the trend everywhere,” said Gretchen Schlomann of Fern Ridge Alpacas. This year’s 18 farms are a perfect example of the change that’s taken place on Whidbey Island over the past 160 years. “We’ve always seen an evolution in farming on Whidbey Island, and this is just part of that evolution,” Bishop said. Many farms on this year’s tour offer special activities for children. As always, the Whidbey Island Farm tour is free. Enjoy all our local farms have to offer!

Your Farmers Market for the other six days a week! Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Your community natural market since 1973

Open daily in downtown Mount Vernon Examiner file photo

Hogs are among the livestock raised at the Muzzall family farm, also known as 3 Sisters.

Friday

skagitfoodcoop.com

The Whidbey Island 2012 Farm Tour Guide • A special publication of The Whidbey Examiner

360-336-9777 Page 3

Wineries welcome visitors for a taste of Whidbey By Kathy Reed Staff Reporter

There’s a “growing” trend in Western Washington that has found its way to Whidbey Island. While it isn’t the new Napa Valley, there are several vineyards on Whidbey and winemakers are producing excellent quality wines from local grapes. “The soil is great for grapes,” said Greg Osenbach, who runs Whidbey Island Vineyard and Winery with his wife, Elizabeth. “It drains well and we’re able to use varieties that ripen in a small amount of heat.” The Langley winery is one of two vineyards and wineries on this year’s Farm Tour. The Osenbach’s vineyards feature two varieties originally from the Loire Valley in France and one German variety. That was about all that was available when they planted their vineyard in 1986, but that’s not the case now. “Now there are lots of new varieties — obscure varieties no one’s ever heard of,” chuckled Osenbach. “We know a lot more about grape growing than when we started.” In fact, growing grapes was not really considered a good bet when the Osenbachs came to Whidbey Island. “We moved here with a winery in mind,” Osenbach said. “But the extension agent told us we should grow gooseberries.” Whidbey Island Winery started its own wine production in 1991 and today produces more than 3,000 cases of wine each year. About a third of that is estate wine and the rest is produced from grapes grown in Eastern Washington. The Osenbachs produce

Kathy Reed photo

Leah Waaramaki, assistant wine maker at Whidbey Island winery, laughs as she pours a taste of wine for customers Letitia Letson from Miami, Okla. and Sherry Birt, from Tulsa, Okla. about 16 different varieties, which is “far more than we should,” Osenbach said with a laugh. The winery’s best seller is Island White, made from estate grapes. They produce about 800 cases each year. “I like the Island White but it’s all good,” said Sherry Birt, from Tulsa Okla., who was sampling the wines on a recent sunny summer afternoon.

A tough crop

“The easy part of the process is making wines. The toughest part is growing the grapes,” said Carl Comfort, who owns Comforts of Whidbey Winery and Tasting Room with his wife, Rita. “It’s a ton of work to grow grapes.” Comfort Farm and Vineyard is the other vineyard on this year’s tour. Carl and Rita have owned the property about six years.

Kathy Reed photo

Greg Osenbach of Whidbey Island Winery looks at this year’s crop at his vineyard just outside Langley.

They bought the 22-acre farm simply because they loved it. The property came with four acres of wine grapes, which helped them grow into winemakers. They now pro-

See WINERIES, page 9

Eat Healthy, Eat Local! Cabbage seed produced by Whidbey Island farmers

Alf Christianson, a subsidiary of Sakata America Holding, honors Whidbey Island’s farming community and invites them to join us in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Sakata.

Burlington WA. • 360-336-9727

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables can contribute to lifelong health. That’s why Whidbey General supports the Whidbey Island Farm Tour. Preventive medicine is the best medicine.

101 North Main Street, Coupeville, WA 98239 360-678-5151 www.whidbeygen.org

Page 4 A special publication of The Whidbey Examiner • The Whidbey Island 2012 Farm Tour Guide

Where to go, what to do No matter what you’re looking for, there’s probably a Whidbey Island farm that has it. Find a wide variety of products, local produce and fun activities for adults and children alike. 1) Hunters Moon Blueberry Farm Joe & Pennie Janousek 935 Bunch Lane, Oak Harbor 360-279-2804 facebook.com/HuntersMoonBlueberryFarm

Hunters Moon Farm is a 10-acre, lateseason, organic blueberry farm. The farm grows Legacy, Aurora and Elliott blueberries using sustainable agricultural practices, with respect and stewardship for the environment. The goal is to produce the finest tasting fruit and processed products. Items for sale at the farm will include: plants; preserves; syrup; scone, pancake, and muffin mixes; white chocolate blueberry bark; dark chocolate covered blueberries; blueberry taffy; fresh blueberries; blueberry honey; and unique blueberry teas. Fresh-baked blueberry goods and sorbet can be purchased and eaten at the farm or taken to go. Guests can u-pick, get a tour of the farm, or learn about biochar, compost tea, organic weed control, and all things blueberry. Neighbor Farms will be invited to be on hand. Directions: From Oak Harbor – travel north on Hwy. 20 and turn right onto Fakkema. Turn right onto Taylor, turn left onto Silver Lake, turn left onto DeVries. At the bottom of the hill, turn right onto Bunch Lane. The farm is first house on the left.

court, picnic areas and kids’ activities such as nature-themed puppet shows, puzzles and games. Craig and Joy Johnson will be on site to sign their nature photography books. Directions: From Hwy. 20, turn west onto Swantown Road, then turn left on Fort Nugent Road. Go 2 miles west and watch for the blue barn at Zylstra Road.

2) Wildwood Farm Heather Carder 2326 Happy Valley Road, Oak Harbor 360-679-3474 • wildwoodfarm.com

Wildwood Farm is an 80-acre breeding, training, and educational facility focusing on the complete care and education of our horses and students. The farm will be showcasing and demonstrating saddle seat riding, dressage, and hunter/jumper. The facility has three riding arenas, a covered round pen and race track and 25 acres of wooded riding trails. The farm produces prospects for the Sport Horse disciplines and the Arabian English Pleasure disciplines. Children can enjoy pony rides for $5 (fundraiser), along with hay-ride tours of the farm property. Directions: From Hwy. 20 in Oak Harbor, turn east on Whidbey Ave. Turn left onto Regatta and follow to a right on Crescent Harbor, which becomes Reservation Road after a sharp turn to the right. Farm entrance (Happy Valley Road) is on your left. Follow the drive up the hill and through the gates.

3) Hummingbird Farm Nursery & Garden Lee & Lori Spear 2319 Zylstra Road, Oak Harbor 360-679-5044 • hummingbirdfarmnursery.com This destination farm features display

File photo

Fuzzy, friendly alpacas are among many interesting farm animals that can be seen on this year’s Whidbey Island Farm Tour. gardens, a certified backyard wildlife sanctuary and garden gift shop which carries botanical products, re-tooled yard art and garden furnishings. The specialty nursery offers farm-grown vegetable starts, fresh and dried flowers and herbs, small trees, vines, shrubs, and fresh-brewed compost tea. Also on hand are educational displays and demonstrations about bats, bees and birds; small-space, vertical, and edible gardening; theme gardens; rain gardens; Plant-A-Row for The Hungry; compost tea; worm bins and composting; home canning and beer brewing. Enjoy live music, local food, a bocce ball

4) 3 Sisters Family Farms Ron, Shelly, Jennifer, Jessica & Roshel Muzzall 938 Scenic Heights Road, Oak Harbor 360-914-7058 • 360-675-2136 3sistersfamilyfarms.com

Raising USDA inspected grass-fed beef for local retail and 3 Farmers Markets, the Three Sisters are the fifth generation to work this 800-acre farm. They raise all natural pork, free range eggs, hay, and seasonal produce for their small retail store. They believe in sustainability and supporting local to its fullest on Whidbey Island. Directions: From Hwy. 20, take Monroe Landing Road toward the water (right if northbound, left if southbound). Go to the end of Monroe Landing Road. Turn left onto Scenic Heights Road. Go up the hill one mile, and the farm will be on the left with parking in the pasture on the right.

See Farms, page 5

We Our Local Farmers! Northwest Farm Credit Services Northwest Farm Credit Services

is proud to support the is proud to support the Whidbey Island Farm Tour. Whidbey Island Farm Tour. Helping farmers, ranchers, and rural residents forranchers, more than 90rural years. Helpingthrive farmers, and residents thrive for more than 90 years.

Gifts from the Heart Food Bank would like to thank our local farmers who donate thousands of pounds of fresh, healthy, locally grown produce to the food bank each year.

Thank you!

Gifts from the Heart Food Bank 800.548.2699 | farm-credit.com 800.548.2699 | farm-credit.com

The Whidbey Island 2012 Farm Tour Guide • A special publication of The Whidbey Examiner

P.O. Box 155 Coupeville, WA 98239 360-678-8312 giftsfromtheheartfoodbank.com

Page 5

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Clinton Ferry to Mukilteo, I-5

15. Paradise Found Fiber Farm

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13. Whidbey Island Vineyard & Winery

NEIL’S CLOVER PATCH

Working hard to keep eating locally affordable. Try our Whidbey Island pasture-raised beef burger! 14485 Hwy. 525, Bayview (just outside Langley) 360-321-4120

WHIDBEY PIES CAFÉ

At the Greenbank Farm, offering handmade pies, hearty soups, quiche, seasonal salads and artisan breads. Open daily. 765 Wonn Road, Greenbank 360-678-1288

TOBY’S

Fresh steamed mussels, seafood, great burgers, clam chowder daily. Open 7 days a week. 8 NW Front St., Coupeville 360-678-4222

MOSQUITO FLEET GALLEY

Specializing in chili featuring 3 Sisters grass-fed beef, gumbo, sandwiches and quiche. Open for breakfast and lunch. 12 NW Front St., Coupeville 360-678-2900

KIM’S CAFÉ

Located on Coupeville’s historic wharf. Pho, stir-fry dishes, soups, burgers and more. Eat in or take out. 26th Front St., Coupeville 360-678-4924

KEYSTONE CAFÉ

Across from the Keystone Ferry. Fish & chips, espresso, soups, salads, Cascade Glacier ice cream, sandwiches and chowder. 12981 Hwy. 20, Coupeville 360-678-5396

Authentic Thai food in a historic Victorian home. 11am-9 pm daily except Monday. 602 N. Main St., Coupeville 360-678-6963

THE COVE THAI CUISINE

Rustic Italian cuisine. All local ingredients. We support local growers! Open 11am-8pm daily. 701 N. Main St. , Coupeville 360-678 -0800

CIAO

CHRISTOPHER’S

Featuring fresh, creative Northwest cuisine and a variety of local wines. Lunch: M-F 11:30-2 pm, Sat 12-2:30 pm. Dinner nightly at 5 pm. 103 NW Coveland St., Coupeville 360-678-5480 • christophersonwhidbey.com

BAYLEAF

Your local spot for artisan cheeses, fine foods and wines! An excellent selection of delicious deli items and fresh local breads. 10X NW Coveland St., Coupeville 360-678-6603 • www.bayleaf.us

ISLAND CAFÉ

We’re the place for family dining - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Fresh, delicious and affordable. Hours Sun-Thurs 6am-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 6am-10pm . 32070 Hwy. 20, Oak Harbor 360-279-2838

SWEET RICE THAI CUISINE

Serving authentic Thai cuisine. Open 7 days a week. Happy Hour 4:30-6:30 pm. 885 SE Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor 360-679-8268

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The Whidbey Island Farm Tour Guide is a special supplement to The Whidbey Examiner. On-Island subscriptions are $19.50/year; off-Island, $23/year. To subscribe, call 360-678-8060. Read the Whidbey Island Farm Tour Guide online at www.whidbeyexaminer.com.

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News from the Heart of Whidbey Island

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10. Greenbank Farm & Ag Training Center

FLYERS RESTAURANT & BREWERY

Steak, burgers, seafood, pasta, pub fare. Always fresh. Always local. Featuring fresh, local produce. 32295 Hwy. 20, Oak Harbor 360-675-5858

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ciao

THE PITA PIT

“Fresh Thinking, Healthy Eating” light and tasty pitas stuffed with your choice of ingredients. Everything made to order, also serving salads, soups and all the extras to make a meal. 32650 Hwy. 20 #B104, Oak Harbor 360-675-5111

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The Whidbey

11. Pronkin’ Pastures Alpaca Ranch

“Riley,” an original painting by Whidbey artist Stacey Neumiller, is the 2012 Whidbey Island Farm Tour mascot. Available as a notecard or print. Go to staceyneumiller.com.

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There is truly something for everyone, from tasting locally made cheese, jam and produce to watching yarn being spun to knit a soft alpaca scarf.

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The tour is free and you can start anywhere and take in as many farms as you’d like. Please note that some farms offer activities at specific times, and some are open for one day only.

Enjoy the chance to visit with the farmers, purchase locally grown food, fiber and other products and soak up the rural character of our island home.

The 18 farms selected for this two-day event will provide you with a glimpse of the variety of agricultural endeavors on Whidbey Island.

Welcome to the seventh annual Whidbey Island Farm Tour!

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The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, February 28, 2012

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Page 6 Thursday, February 28, 2012 • The Whidbey Examiner Page 7

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15. Paradise Found Fiber Farm

14. Comfort Farm & Vineyard (Saturday Only)

13. Whidbey Island Vineyard & Winery

NEIL’S CLOVER PATCH

Working hard to keep eating locally affordable. Try our Whidbey Island pasture-raised beef burger! 14485 Hwy. 525, Bayview (just outside Langley) 360-321-4120

WHIDBEY PIES CAFÉ

At the Greenbank Farm, offering handmade pies, hearty soups, quiche, seasonal salads and artisan breads. Open daily. 765 Wonn Road, Greenbank 360-678-1288

TOBY’S

Fresh steamed mussels, seafood, great burgers, clam chowder daily. Open 7 days a week. 8 NW Front St., Coupeville 360-678-4222

MOSQUITO FLEET GALLEY

Specializing in chili featuring 3 Sisters grass-fed beef, gumbo, sandwiches and quiche. Open for breakfast and lunch. 12 NW Front St., Coupeville 360-678-2900

KIM’S CAFÉ

Located on Coupeville’s historic wharf. Pho, stir-fry dishes, soups, burgers and more. Eat in or take out. 26th Front St., Coupeville 360-678-4924

KEYSTONE CAFÉ

Across from the Keystone Ferry. Fish & chips, espresso, soups, salads, Cascade Glacier ice cream, sandwiches and chowder. 12981 Hwy. 20, Coupeville 360-678-5396

Authentic Thai food in a historic Victorian home. 11am-9 pm daily except Monday. 602 N. Main St., Coupeville 360-678-6963

THE COVE THAI CUISINE

Rustic Italian cuisine. All local ingredients. We support local growers! Open 11am-8pm daily. 701 N. Main St. , Coupeville 360-678 -0800

CIAO

CHRISTOPHER’S

BAYLEAF

Your local spot for artisan cheeses, fine foods and wines! An excellent selection of delicious deli items and fresh local breads. 10X NW Coveland St., Coupeville 360-678-6603 • www.bayleaf.us

ISLAND CAFÉ

We’re the place for family dining - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Fresh, delicious and affordable. Hours Sun-Thurs 6am-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 6am-10pm . 32070 Hwy. 20, Oak Harbor 360-279-2838

SWEET RICE THAI CUISINE

Serving authentic Thai cuisine. Open 7 days a week. Happy Hour 4:30-6:30 pm. 885 SE Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor 360-679-8268

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10. Greenbank Farm & Ag Training Center

FLYERS RESTAURANT & BREWERY

Steak, burgers, seafood, pasta, pub fare. Always fresh. Always local. Featuring fresh, local produce. 32295 Hwy. 20, Oak Harbor 360-675-5858

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11. Pronkin’ Pastures Alpaca Ranch

“Riley,” an original painting by Whidbey artist Stacey Neumiller, is the 2012 Whidbey Island Farm Tour mascot. Available as a notecard or print. Go to staceyneumiller.com.

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There is truly something for everyone, from tasting locally made cheese, jam and produce to watching yarn being spun to knit a soft alpaca scarf.

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The tour is free and you can start anywhere and take in as many farms as you’d like. Please note that some farms offer activities at specific times, and some are open for one day only.

Enjoy the chance to visit with the farmers, purchase locally grown food, fiber and other products and soak up the rural character of our island home.

The 18 farms selected for this two-day event will provide you with a glimpse of the variety of agricultural endeavors on Whidbey Island.

Welcome to the seventh annual Whidbey Island Farm Tour!

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The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, February 28, 2012

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Fiber farms merge agriculture with arts and crafts By Kathy Reed Staff Reporter

here is a growing interest in a different kind of farming on Whidbey Island: Fiber. Several of the locations on this year’s Farm Tour are fiber farms. The owners raise or rescue llamas, alpacas and goats and then shear them, converting the fleece and fiber from the animals into yarns, felted fabrics and hand-crafted items such as clothing and art. At Paradise Found Fiber Farm near Clinton, owners Mary and Lou Donaty started raising llamas more than 26 years ago and have been on Whidbey Island for 13 years. They’ve added Pygora goats and alpacas to the mix since they moved here. Mary is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to llamas and alpacas and is happy to share some of that history with visitors. “I guess I’m a teacher at heart,” she said. “I like to educate people and help them understand and appreciate what’s involved and the beauty of it.” While many feel there’s been a resurgence of interest in farms of all kinds there has also been a steady growth in the popularity of fiber and yarns. Whidbey Island has a large community of people interested in the fiber arts. “There are a tremendous amount of fiber artists on the island. It’s amazing the beautiful things people are making,” said Gretchen Schlomann of Fern Ridge Alpacas in Clinton, which she owns with her husband, Hal. “People are tired of everything coming from China.” Alpaca fleece in particular has become very popular, although the fleece from llamas and goats is lovely as well. Many choose to concentrate on alpacas because they are relatively easy to raise. “The animals are gentle, easy to care for and great with kids,” Schlomann said. “They’re mild-mannered and calm,” agreed LeeAnna Jorgenson, from Pronkin’ Pastures in Greenbank. “They’re just peaceful by nature. It’s easy to come out and sit with them and read a book.” Obviously the animals are a great draw for the Farm Tour. But each of the farms has a retail shop as well, where the owners display their wares. Each boasts yarns in a beautiful array of natural colors and some that have been dyed. Feather-soft and luxurious, it’s easy to understand how it could be more popular than sheep’s wool.

Kathy Reed photo

Loki, a two-week old alpaca, gets to know Christoph Schuster in one of the pastures at Fern Ridge Alpacas near Clinton. Alpacas are very curious animals that are popular for their fleece. “The fleece is finer and the scale is different than a sheep’s,” Jorgenson said. “The scales are finer, so it feels smoother. There are a lot of people who are sensitive to wool but not to alpaca fleece.” What also appeals to people is that they know exactly which animal a particular yarn comes from. Most of the farms will process each “blanket” individually, to keep track. “No two animals give the same thing,” Donaty said. “I have customers who ask for roving or yarn from a particular animal.” Some of the farms keep their fleece pure and don’t alter it, while others experiment by blending the fleece with other fibers, such as silk, bamboo or angora. “I try to be creative with my blends so I have something that’s truly unique and different,” Jorgenson said. “I’m constantly trying to learn. I’m interested in trying new things.” While harvesting the fleece is the mainstay of fiber farmers, they say taking the process from beginning to end is what is ultimately the most satisfying. “There’s a lot of satisfaction in creating something people can wear,” said Schlomann. “People really appreciate these things and learning them anew.” “It’s a labor of love,” Donaty said. “I always hope to break even. To make a profit at this would be lovely.”

We Love Whidbey Farms. Thank you for supporting our farm!

Visit our new shop in downtown Coupeville, open all year.

www.lavenderwind.com | 15 Coveland St., Coupeville | 360.544-4132

Kathy Reed photo

LeeAnna Jorgenson sifts through the fleece from one of her alpacas at Pronkin’ Pastures Alpaca Farm in Greenbank. Jorgenson removes any pieces of grass or other material that may have been on the animal when it was shorn. The fleece is also sorted for color and length before it is sent to a mini mill to be processed.

The Whidbey Island Conservation District

Free, non-regulatory technical assistance for all Whidbey Island landowners! • • • • •

Farm & Forest Planning Water Quality Improvements Rain Garden Consultation Engineering Services Workshops and Tours

360-678-4708 • 888-678-4922 • www.whidbeycd.org

Page 8 A special publication of The Whidbey Examiner • The Whidbey Island 2012 Farm Tour Guide

Wineries: Summertime warmth; from page 4 duce about 500 cases of wine each year. The Comforts sell four estate whites through their tasting room and the wine shop at Greenbank Farm. They also produce two red wines in Woodinville with grapes they purchase in Eastern Washington that are their Samaritan series. The Comforts donate $1,000 from every barrel of the Samaritan wines to local charities. Even with great soil, Whidbey’s vineyards are at the mercy of Mother Nature. The past two years have been tough, but growers are hopeful this year. “The last two years we didn’t really have much of what you could call summer,” Osenbach said. “It’s rather rude of Mother Nature to give us two back-to-back bad years. “But this year looks better,” he continued. “We’re still behind historical averages, but it’s looking pretty good.” “I think it’s going to be a good crop, although it might be a little late,” agreed Rita Comfort. “You can’t rush the grapes, or you’ll pay the price in the quality of the wine,” Osenbach said. But there are still dangers if the crop ripens late. “The later it hangs into the fall, the more you have to worry about fruit rot, etc.,” Osenbach said. “And the longer the fruit hangs on the vines, the more the birds try to eat them.” Anyone who thinks owning a vineyard is a seasonal occupation would be mistaken, local growers say. “The only way to grow grapes is through

Kathy Reed photo

Light shines through bottles of Rosato at Whidbey Island Winery.

Kathy Reed photo

Carl Comfort chats with Oak Harbor resident John Decker in the tasting room of Comforts of Whidbey Winery in Langley. hard work,” Rita Comfort said with a grin. Rita tends the vineyard and Carl makes the wine. “It’s very time consuming to care for the vines. We start pruning in February and spend six weeks doing it in cold, rainy weather.”

“It’s tough to convey how much work it really is,” agreed Osenbach. “Managing the growth of the vine takes constant work.” Both vineyards use volunteers from the community when harvest time rolls around. “People appreciate being able to get involved,” Osenbach said.

“With 16 tons of grapes to pick, you need a lot of help,” Rita said. “But I try to provide homemade goodies and make it a special event.” Osenbach said his favorite part of the process is the “crush,” or extracting the juice from the grapes to turn into wine. “We work as hard as we can for as long as we can,” he said. “It’s both exhilarating and exhausting.” The hours may be long and the work may be hard, but those who grow grapes on Whidbey love what they do. “Growing grapes and producing wine is why we got into this,” Osenbach said. “It’s satisfying to be involved in something that’s tied to the seasons of the year. To see all the changes up close – there’s a deep satisfaction in that.” “It’s wonderful to be able to offer a product we produce all on our own,” Rita said. “It’s time intensive but it’s a good life.”

TIRES • WHEELS • BATTERIES • ALIGNMENT • SHOCKS • BRAKES

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In The Market For Local News? Keep up with what’s happening all over Whidbey Island with a subscription to your community newspaper.

Call 360-675-6611 and Subscribe Today! North, Central and South, we’ve got it covered every week.

RECORD SOUTH WHIDBEY

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107 S. Main Street, Suite E101 • Coupeville, WA 98239 The Whidbey Island 2012 Farm Tour Guide • A special publication of The Whidbey Examiner

Les Schwab Proudly Supports Whidbey’s Farming Community 360-679-1535

360-341-3313

OAK HARBOR

CLINTON Page 9

5) Frosen Acres Alpacas Susan Frosolone – 1340 Penn Cove Road, Oak Harbor 360-969-5714 • frosenacresalpacas.com

Visit this family-run alpaca farm and learn how easy these soft, gentle animals are to care for. Feed the alpacas, chickens, ducks, and peacocks. Try your hand at wet felting, needle felting, or lavender wandmaking. Demonstrations will include fiber processing, manure magic, and intensive gardening. Alpaca yarns, rovings, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, baby sets, needle felting kits, soaps, and gifts will be for sale in our farm store. Relax and enjoy the views of Coupeville and Penn Cove. Directions: From Hwy. 20, take Monroe Landing Road toward the water (right if northbound, left if southbound). Right onto Penn Cove Road, turn right at the orca mailbox.

6) Lavender Wind Shop & Kitchen NOTE: THIS DESTINATION HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS YEAR’S FARM TOUR BECAUSE THE SITE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. Sarah Richards 15 N.W. Coveland St., Coupeville 360-678-0919 • lavenderwind.com

Preparing food from a farm requires several steps. At Lavender Wind’s manufacturing kitchen, you’ll see what some farms do to prepare their fresh produce. The facility will be used to dry herbs, fruits, and vegetables, and combine various ingredients into dry mixes and preserved products. Learn how farms use kitchens like these to make truly local food, and why it costs

more to produce locally made shelf-stable foods. Lavender Wind produces jams, teas, dried herbs, baking mixes and baked goods. Directions: At the traffic light on Hwy. 20, turn north on Main Street in Coupeville. Continue for .6 miles, then turn left onto NW Coveland. The shop is on the left at the corner of Coveland and Alexander streets.

8) Rosehip Farm and Garden Linda Bartlett & Valerie Reuther 338 Fort Casey Road, Coupeville 360-678-3577 • localharvest.org, rosehip@whidbey.net

File photo

Rockwell beans grown on historic farmland in the midst of Ebey’s Prairie are a highlight at Prairie Bottom Farm.

7) Prairie Bottom Farm Wilbur & Julieanna Purdue 293 Engle Road, Coupeville 360-632-5762 • prairiebottomfarm.com

Prairie Bottom Farm is a small, familyrun, market garden in the heart of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. The Purdues’ produce is free from pesticides and herbicides and is available at local farmers markets, through their CSA program, and at local restaurants. During the Farm Tour, the farm store will sell seasonal produce, storage garlic, potatoes, beans, squash, pie and eggs. Demonstrations and activities will

Sunday 10 am ~ 5 pm

Organic Products

Non-toxic Solutions

For Your Pets

Mon - Sat 9 am ~ 6 pm lo

include “thrashing” of Rockwell and other drying beans, garlic planting, pumpkin scabbing, a tour of the garden and an opportunity to feed the chickens and geese. Directions: At the Coupeville traffic light on Hwy. 20, turn right onto S. Main Street if heading south or left if heading north. Go approximately 1.15 miles. S. Main Street will become Engle Road. The farm is located on the left side of the road at the gray barn.

la ere You’re P

For Your Livestock

• Excellent Selection of Raw & Frozen Pet Food

• Organic Livestock Feed Including Locally Sourced & Made

• U.S. Sourced & U.S. Made Dry & Wet Cat & Dog Food

• Quality Eastern Washington Hay • Live Chicks in Season

We love your pets almost as much as you do! A Full Service Farm & Garden Center

SR 525 at Bayview Road bayviewfarmandgarden@whidbey.com (360) 321-6789

Rosehip is a small-scale, diversified farm producing organically grown fruits and vegetables for sale through a CSA program, at the Coupeville Farmers Market and a produce stand at the farm. The farm produces over 60 vegetable varieties with an emphasis on heirloom varieties, many of which end up on the menu at local restaurants. Rosehip has a small orchard with apples, pears, plums, peaches and apricots and also grows cut flowers and nursery plants suitable for local growing conditions. During the Farm Tour, visitors can buy seasonal produce, plants and flowers as well as chicken and duck eggs from free-range, organically fed fowl. Activities will include guided and self-guided tours and displays of hand tools used on the farm. Directions: Heading south on Hwy. 20, turn south onto Terry Road, then left onto Fort Casey Road. The farm is one mile down on the right.

File photo

Harvest brodiaea, a native cluster lily, is among the many wildflowers making a comeback at Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship near Coupeville.

9) Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship Holly Kress, Resource Development Officer 180 Parker Road, Coupeville 360-678-5586 • pacificriminstitute.org

Discover

Farms: From page 5

File photo

Fresh, locally grown produce can be found at many farms on this year’s Farm Tour. The mission of Pacific Rim Institute is to promote the sustainability of Earth’s natural and human systems by transforming the awareness, thinking and actions of individuals and communities. To highlight the importance of preserving and restoring native ecosystems, the facility is restoring an unplowed remnant of Pacific lowland prairie on its 175-acre site. This five-acre fragment is one of the largest remaining remnants of indigenous grasslands that once covered thousands of acres in north Puget Sound. Activities during Farm Tour include Whidbey Raptor Day, with local falconers sharing their birds of prey with visitors. Self-guided and naturalist-guided tours will be available both Saturday and Sunday, and native prairie plants will be available for purchase. Directions: From Hwy. 20 southeast of Couepville, turn north on Parker Road. Turn right into the parking lot at the Au Sable Institute sign.

10) Greenbank Farm Judy Feldman, Executive Director Sebastian Aguilar, Training Director – 765 Wonn Road, Greenbank 360-678-7171 • greenbankfarm.org

Owned by the Port of Coupeville, Greenbank Farm hosts activities around agriculture, recreation, local commerce and environmental stewardship. Offering P-patches,

See Farms, page 11

Helping You Put Knowledge to Work . . . Master Gardeners, 4-H Youth Development, Beach Watchers, Shore Stewards, Waste Wise Volunteers, Livestock Advisors, Admiralty Head Lighthouse Docents, Weather Network, Land Stewardship, Climate Stewards & Agriculture Sustainability For more information call 360.240.5558 or visit county.wsu.edu/island

Page 10 A special publication of The Whidbey Examiner • The Whidbey Island 2012 Farm Tour Guide

Farms: From page 10

east on Surface Road. Turn left on Bob Galbreath Road (becomes Wilkinson Road) and drive 1.5 miles. Turn right onto View Road and follow the sign .25 miles to farm entrance.

market gardens, a solar energy project, walking trails, galleries, food and wine the farm is also home to Whidbey Island’s Agriculture Training Center, teaching new farmers sustainable, organic farming and small business administration. The farm produces vegetables and produce, seed crop, cover crop. Vegetables and other produce can be purchased during the Farm Tour. Students lead guided tours. Directions: From Hwy. 525, turn at Wonn Road. The training center is at the end of the parking area near the Jim Davis House (Building E).

11) Pronkin’ Pastures Alpaca Ranch LeeAnna & Ron Jorgenson 2582 North Bluff Road, Greenbank 360-678-0481 • pronkinpastures.com

Pronkin’ Pastures is home to 28 huacaya alpacas, two suri alpacas and a rescue llama. The alpacas are breeding, fiber and hobby stock. Learn why alpacas are considered earthfriendly and an ideal small farm animal. See how alpaca fiber is harvested, sorted, and processed and how manure is composted and used in the garden. The farm store has alpaca products such as raw fiber and roving for handspinners, commercially processed and handspun yarns, and alpaca-related clothing, felt, accessories, finished goods and gifts. The farm offers self-guided tours, educational displays, spinning and fiber processing demonstrations and great photo opportunities as well as a fiber-related activity for kids and adults. Directions: From Hwy. 525, turn onto Wonn Road. Turn left onto North Bluff Road and drive about a mile to a left on the gravel easement road just before the Pronkin’ Pastures sign.

12) Sonshine Farm Pamela Uhlig – 5662 Crawford Road, Langley 360-321-5772 • Sonshinefarm9@gmail.com SonshineFarmofWhidbeyIsland.com

Sonshine Farm raises Kiko meat goats and award-winning alpacas. The guided tour features Kiko goats, Oberhasli dairy goats, friendly farm dogs, free-range chickens, the Square Foot garden and lots of alpaca kisses. 4H members will have a bake sale and demonstrate carding and spinning of alpaca fleece. Visit the farm store for alpaca products such as duvets, scarves, fingerless gloves, hats, socks, hand-spun and dyed yarn – and place an order for locally raised, grass-fed goat meat.

15) Paradise Found Fiber Farm Mary Donaty 4081 Springwater Lane, Clinton 360-579-1906 • paradisefoundfiber.com

Kathy Reed photo

Grapes grow juicy and fat on the vines at Whidbey Island Winery in Langley, one of two wineries on this year’s Farm Tour. Directions: From Hwy. 525, turn east onto Crawford Road about one mile south of the stoplight at Bayview Road. Turn left at the first driveway on Crawford Road.

13) Whidbey Island Vineyard and Winery Gregory & Elizabeth Osenbach 5237 Langley Road, Langley 360-221-2040 • whidbeyislandwinery.com

Whidbey Island Vineyard and Winery has been growing wine grapes and producing wines since 1986. The Puget Sound Appellation has proven to be a unique and viable climate for many grape varieties both red and white. Harvest season is under way and the farm will probably be in the thick of “crush.” Take a guided tour of the vineyard, see winemaking in progress, and taste and purchase wine. Directions: From Hwy. 525, turn east onto Langley Road. The vineyard and winery is about two miles up on the right.

14) Comfort Farm and Vineyard (Saturday only) Carl & Rita Comfort 4361 Witter Road, Langley 360-969-2961 • comfortsofwhidbey.com

This 22-acre, family-run farm grows four acres of wine grapes, which are harvested and turned into 100 percent estate white wines. This year the farm has a new raisedbed garden as well as chickens, cows, bees and llamas. Products available for purchase include wine, honey, farm-fresh eggs, produce, and futures in beef. The picnic area is open, so bring lunch and enjoy the view of Possession Sound. Directions: From Hwy. 525, go one mile

Located on Whidbey for more than 13 years, Paradise Found has been raising llamas for 26 years. The alpacas are mostly rescues and the Pygora goats are loving and have wonderful fiber. Paradise Found is not a breeding farm, and all of their animals will retire there. The farm is open to the public every weekend year ‘round. On weekdays it’s best to call ahead. The farm’s Fiber Shack offers hundreds of handcrafted items made from the fibers of the farm’s animals. On Saturday, the farm hosts the annual Whidbey Island Fabulous Fall Fiber Sale, including up to 20 farms and fiber artists. Many will also be at this location on Sunday as well. Directions: From Hwy. 525, turn south on Cultus Bay Road. Go 2.7 miles and turn left onto Springwater, then third driveway on the left.

The farm’s herd of 19 curious alpacas and friendly guard llamas is ready to welcome you to Fern Ridge, where alpacas are raised for fiber harvest and breeding stock. Visitors will enjoy a self-guided tour, scavenger hunt for the kids, informational displays and a chance to pet and feed treats to the alpacas, including two new babies. Fiber artists will demonstrate their techniques throughout the weekend. The farm will highlight its new vermiculture program that uses worms to turn alpaca manure into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. The farm store offers alpaca yarn, roving, clothing, rugs, blankets and duvets, products from local fiber artists, felted items, gifts and worm castings for your garden. Directions: From Hwy. 525, turn south onto Deer Lake Road and follow about two miles, where it merges with Holst Road. Continue straight on Holst about 1 mile, to 7343 Holst Road.

17) Quail’s Run Farm (Saturday only) Loren & Patty Imes 3460 French Road, Clinton 360-579-2503 • facebook.com/Quailsrunfarm

Look for the name you can trust.

The Whidbey Island 2012 Farm Tour Guide • A special publication of The Whidbey Examiner

18) Glendale Shepherd Stan, Lynn and Erik Swanson 7616 Glendale Heights Road, Clinton 360-579-1955 • glendaleshepherd.com

Located on the lovely eastern coastline of Whidbey Island, this is a family-owned Grade A sheep-dairy farm committed to sustainable agriculture practices and the production of handmade sheep-milk cheeses and grass-fed lamb. Learn the process for producing rustic wheels of Island Brebis cheese. The lambs are pasture-raised and have a very good life with the best care and attention. When they reach market weight, they are humanely harvested and sold locally. With forest, pasture, ponds, meadows and a spectacular view of Possession Sound, you’ll enjoy exploring the diversity of high quality habitat for livestock and wildlife the farm provides. Directions: From Hwy. 525, turn south onto Cultus Bay Road. Go 3.5 miles, turn left onto Glendale Road and continue for 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Roseberry for approximately 300 feet. Turn left and go through the Swanson Tree Farm gate. Stay to the right for .75 mile to the farm.

Get The Good Stuff MON-FRI 7AM-7PM SATURDAY 8-5

Support Local Agriculture Look for this Brand • Become a Member at WhidbeyIslandGrown.com

Contributed photo

Glendale Shepherd Farm raises Island Brebis sheep both for dairy and meat production.

16) Fern Ridge Alpacas Gretchen & Hal Schlomann 7343 Holst Road, Clinton 206-778-9619 • fernridgealpacas.com

Local Farmers = Local Food

Quail’s Run Farm grows vegetables for market and raises grass-fed beef cattle on a historic farm in the lower Maxwelton Valley. In its 10th year of growing a wide range of heirloom and open-pollinated vegetables for local markets and restaurants, the Imeses carry on the family’s heritage in farming. Visit the fields, greenhouse, cows, chickens, ducks and honeybees. You’ll find activities for kids, an abundance of sustainably grown vegetables for sale – and delicious Whidbey Island Ice Cream. Directions: From Hwy. 525, turn south onto Cultus Bay Road. Travel 2.4 miles and turn right onto French Road. Go another 1.4 miles to the driveway on the left.

MACHINE SHOP

HYDRAULIC HOSE REPAIR 675-5946 Page 11

Whidbey Island Grown brand supports local farms F

or Whidbey Island farmers, finding ways to make their agricultural products stand out is an important aspect of building a market for what they sell. That’s where the Whidbey Island Grown brand comes in. Whidbey Island Grown was established in 2009 by local farmers and supporters of local agriculture as a way to increase awareness of local farm products. Whidbey farmers who sign up for the program pay a fee in exchange for the use of the brand on their produce and value-added farm product, and money raised through the program goes back into promoting the Whidbey Island Grown brand. The grassroots effort to organize and launch the program was organized and funded by the Northwest Agriculture Business Center. As a consumer, when you see the brand, you know that it was either grown on Whidbey or, if it’s a processed product, a large portion of the ingredients come from Whidbey. But there is more to the brand than meets the eye. Vicky Brown is Whidbey Island’s only producer of goat cheese. She makes her cheeses from milk produced by her herd at Little Brown Farm near Freeland. One reason she appreciates the Whidbey Island Grown brand is that it helps connect her with other local farmers who have a similar philosophy about farming and who maintain similar high standards with their products. Brown has been able to reach her goal of using local products in her cheeses by con-

Examiner file photo

Sebastian Aguilar of the Agriculture Training Center operates a tractor in a field at the landmark Greenbank Farm. The training center, which educates future farmers, is a member of the Whidbey Island Grown brand.

necting with other Whidbey Island Grown brand participants such as Willowood Farm and Lavender Wind Farm, which supply herbs used in her cheeses. Even the hay for her goats comes from

a member of the Whidbey Island Grown brand, Ebey Road Farm of Coupeville. Brown said she likes how the brand supports and connects Whidbey farmers. “I need them to be successful and do well

so they will keep farming and provide us the products we need to be successful,” she said. “We are all pieces of that puzzle.” Sarah Richards of Lavender Wind Farm near Coupeville also values the Whidbey Island Grown community. “We depend on Whidbey Island farmers for so much, not only to supplement our business, but also to feed us, too,” Richards said. “The brand is important to our farm because it shows we are all part of the farming community, working together to make and grow food and farm products that you can depend on,” she said. “I also buy Whidbey Island Grown produce and I’d like all the Whidbey produce I buy to be part of this brand.” Agricultural areas are an important part of what makes Whidbey Island such a special place. To preserve these areas the Island needs an economically vibrant farm community. To join the effort to promote local products and help preserve the rural character of the Island, look for the brand label, become a member and follow Whidbey Island Grown on Facebook and Twitter. “Whidbey Island Grown helps to nurture the relationships that keep our community alive and well, and the program provides marketing assistance, resources and other tangible benefits,” Richards said. “But for me and my farm, it’s the Whidbey Island Grown relationships I value most.

Buy Local • Eat Local • Be Local

Follow the Farms to the Market!

HarvestFest at the Market

Live the Island dream… Janet’s unique blending of diligence, diplomacy and persistence made all the difference in our successful purchase transaction. Thanks for making it happen! - Jim & Catherine Thanks, Janet, for helping us find our little “Rain Shadow Farm”. Life is good! - Harry & Terry

FRONT STREET REALTY

Call or drop by my office next to the Coupeville Wharf 22 NW Front St., Suite B • Coupeville, WA 98239 360-678-6100 • 206-387-1924 • www.janetburchfield.com

Saturday, Oct. 13

11 a.m.-1p.m.

• Wild and Wacky Harvest Relay Races • (a fundraiser for Gifts From the Heart food bank!) • Whidbey Island Giant Pumpkin contest weigh-in • And much, much more! We’ve got it all!

Local corn, fall berries, grass-fed beef, salad greens, honey, pumpkins, fresh-made lunches, handmade kettle corn, local chocolates, freshbaked bread and fruit pies, fresh & smoked Alaska salmon, gift cards, watercolor prints, handmade jewelry, garden benches, plants, planters – plus a place to hang out, and so much more!

10-2 Saturdays thru Oct. 13

8th & Alexander, behind the Coupeville Library We accept FMNP coupons

Page 12 A special publication of The Whidbey Examiner • The Whidbey Island 2012 Farm Tour Guide