Tilth Producers' 2008 Organic Farm Walks

Tilth Producers of Washington and
Washington State University Small Farms Team Present:

2008 Farm Walk Series
Farmer-to-Farmer: Passing on the Wisdom

For the fifth year, Tilth Producers of Washington and Washington State University's Small Farms Team will offer a series of educational Farm Walks for growers. Farm Walks bring growers and agricultural specialists together to learn on working farms across Washington.

2008 Farm Walk Schedule

Monday April 14 – Nicholson Orchards, Peshastin
www.ourorchard.com

Orchard Production, Marketing and Grafting Dennis and Nancy Nicholson’s orchard is a third generation pear, apple, cherry, and peach enterprise. Walk through their early spring organic orchard and participate in a grafting demonstration! The Nicholsons will share their expertise in multiple marketing endeavors, including direct marketing and running an on-site seasonal community fruit stand, where they feature their own fruit (including raspberries and grapes) and preserves along with neighboring farms’ fruit. Dennis’ grandfather helped found a co-operative called Peshastin Fruit Growers Association, which has since merged with other grower-owned co-operatives and become Blue Bird, Inc. Mike Hampel, a professional grafter from Grouse Mountain Farm, will lead a workshop on orchard grafting and budding. Participants will have the opportunity to top work a few organic apple trees to try fruit tree grafting themselves. (Organic/Conventional) WSU BIOAg Site

Driving Directions: Directions from Seattle, WA. Take I-90, called the Snoqualmie Pass Highway, East toward Spokane. Just past the town of Cle Elum at exit number 85, take Wa-970 North towards Wenatchee. Wa-970 becomes U.S. 97. Look for our orchard fruit stand signs when you have descended Blewett Pass and the road has become straight and level. Approximately 124 miles from Seattle, allow 2 1/2 to 3 hours travel time.

Directions from Spokane, WA. Take I-90 West toward Seattle for approximately 129 miles. Take the WA-281 North, exit number 151, towards Quincy/Wenatchee. In Quincy turn left at the first stop light onto F St. S.W. Drive West out of town toward Wenatchee. F St. S.W. becomes WA-28. Drive through Wenatchee and take U.S.-2 West toward Leavenworth/Seattle. Approximately 20 miles west of Wenatchee take US-97, Blewett Pass, to Seattle, South approximately 1.7 miles. Turn Right on Campbell Road. You're there. Travel distance 195 miles allow 3 1/2 to 4 hours travel time.

Directions from Yakima, WA. Take I-82 West approximately 30 miles. Merge onto I-90 West towards Seattle. Take the U.S. 97 North exit number 106, towards Wenatchee. Stay on U.S. 97 North until you have descended Blewett Pass and the road has become straight and level. Look for our signs. Approximately 83 miles from Yakima, allow 2 hours travel time.

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Monday April 28 – Sweet Grass Beef Farm, Lopez Island - Farm Walk 1:30- 5:00.
www.sgfbeef.com

Innovative Management for Positive Returns Scott Meyers and Brigit Waring have been producing and marketing grass finished Wagyu beef on the rocky, wet plains of Lopez Island since 2002. They focus on creating a balance between the cattle, the pasture, and the financial and personal aspects of the farm. Scott has learned how to use the diversity of his land to create bedding for the winter and high quality finish forage for steers from mid-summer to fall. Scott will demonstrate the invaluable nature of inventiveness by showcasing his own ‘home-made’ sensitive fencing and water systems, which minimize labour requirements and stress. During the Farm Walk, Scott & Brigit will demonstrate in-field livestock sorting. They will share their management protocols and other zero-stress management techniques that are critical to producing quality grass finished beef. (100% Grass-fed and Finished)
See Photos | Farm Walk Agenda

Driving Directions: Recommended ferries: leave 12:40 from Anacortes, arrive 1:20 Lopez Is. Depart 5:40 from Lopez Is., arrive 6:20 in Anacortes. If you want to walk-on to the Anacortes ferry at 12:40, please pre-register so we can arrange carpooling between the Lopez Island ferry terminal and the farm. More info on getting to the ferries HERE.
Directions to Sweet Grass Beef Farm From the Lopez Ferry Terminal: Head south on Ferry road. The road will fork (1+ mile), take the left fork (east) onto Center road. Center will turn right (south) and intersect Cross Road (1 mile). Turn left (east) on Cross Rd. 1/4 mile to the "T" intersection of the Port Stanley Road. Turn Right (south) on Pt. Stanley Rd. Drive for 1 mile. On the right, just befor the first corner, is the historic Port Stanley School and its modest parking area. Our tour will begin from here.

Ferry schedule:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedules/current/index.cfm?route=ana-sj

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Monday, May 5 – Stokesberry Sustainable Farms, Olympia

Organic Pastured Poultry and Beef Come walk through Jerry and Janelle Stokesberry’s intensively-managed pasture rotation system, which starts with cattle then poultry and back to cattle. In 2008, Jerry will raise 900 hens and 10,000 broilers in home-built chicken tractors and greenhouse winter shelters. Three hundred white and heritage turkeys also play into the rotation. Tour the on-farm certified WSDA processing facility and discuss keys to successful direct marketing and growth. Visitors will also see the greenhouse crop system in production. Join us for a barbeque chicken potluck at noon; other dishes are welcome. (Organic)
Download a copy of the Stokesberry Sustainable Farms brochure (PDF 100 kb)

New! Read an April 28 article from The Olympian on Stokesberry Farms.

Driving Directions: Directions to our house (start point).
From I-5 (Lacey area) exit 109(college Street) from north turn right onto Martin Way and take immediate left on to college street. From south exit runs into College street, turn right. Now everyone goes approx. 6 miles and turn left onto 85th lane. Go to end of road and we are last drive on the right.
7429 85th Lane SE.

Directions to next location (we will move locations half way through the Farm Walk)
2nd destination: 3626 163rd. Ave. SW. Tenino 98589
From 7429 85th lane SE:
Back down gravel road to Rainier Rd. turn left
1/4 mile Right onto Fir Tree Rd.
At stop sign left (! 1/2 m) Rich rd.
at stop sign Left (1.7 m) old Hwy 99
3/4 m. right at McCorkle Rd.
at stop sign(2m?) left Tilley rd.
approx. 4 m right onto Goddard rd.
1 1/2m on right 3626 163rd ave sw.

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Monday May 19 – Willie Green’s Organic Farm, Monroe
www.williegreens.org

Season Extension- Capturing the Market Jeff Miller will share his innovative ideas for getting a jump on early mixed vegetable production. We will tour greenhouses and propagation houses, as well as direct-seeded and transplanted row crops. Willie Green’s sells at year-round farmers markets, and offers a winter CSA share. Now farming 55 acres, he has been perfecting his production systems for over 22 years. Our discussions will include a wide range of detailed growing, season extension, harvesting, and marketing techniques, as well as equipment and facility innovations. (Organic)

Driving Directions: From Seattle: Merge onto WA-520 E via EXIT 168B toward BELLEVUE/KIRKLAND
WA-520 E becomes AVONDALE RD EXT.
AVONDALE RD EXT becomes AVONDALE RD NE.
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto NE NOVELTY HILL RD.
Turn LEFT onto W SNOQUALMIE VALLEY RD NE.
W SNOQUALMIE VALLEY RD NE becomes HIGH BRIDGE RD.
Turn RIGHT onto CRESCENT LAKE RD.
CRESCENT LAKE RD becomes TUALCO RD.
End at 19501 Tualco Rd Monroe, WA

From Burlington: Merge onto I-5 S via the ramp on the LEFT.
Merge onto US-2 E via EXIT 194 toward SNOHOMISH/WENATCHEE.
Turn RIGHT onto N LEWIS ST/ WA-203. Continue to follow WA-203.
Turn RIGHT onto TUALCO RD.
Turn LEFT to stay on TUALCO RD.
End at 19501 Tualco Rd Monroe, WA

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Monday June 2 – Zakarison Partnership, Pullman

Diversified Wheat, Grain, and Livestock This innovative family-run crop and livestock farm produces wheat, feed grains, locker lambs and pastured poultry. With ten acres in transition to organic, Eric Zakarison is experimenting with ‘solar tractors,’ using draft mule, horse and oxen teams (fueled on-farm), with manure to complete the power/nutrient cycle by enhancing soil fertility. Cover crops are incorporated in rotation, and sheep and chickens help with their harvest and incorporation. The Zakarisons future plans include producing organic small grains to market locally and minimizing tillage and petroleum consumption. WSU researchers will present their plans for on-site research on minimizing soil disturbance. (Transitioning to Organic)

Driving Directions: The Zakarison Partnership farm is located 6 miles north of Pullman on the west side of Highway 27 (Pullman-Palouse highway). Look for a large windmill that says Zakarison’s 1935 (Eric’s uncle’s farm) about ¼ mile before Eric’s driveway. As you are northbound, turn left (west) off the highway onto the farm driveway. The farmstead has a large, faded blue metal machine shed, gold-colored farm shop, and two houses. At the fork in the driveway, turn to the right and head towards the grey house (Eric and Sheryl’s) with the broadleaf trees. We will meet you at the shop. If you get lost, call Eric on his cell at 509.595.3585.

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Monday July 28 – Alm Hill Gardens, Everson
www.almhillgardens.com

Diversified Production, Transitioning to Cooperative Ownership (in Spanish & English) During the tour of this 35-year old diversified, fresh-market farm, the Alm Hill Garden team will cover season extension (using greenhouses and high tunnels), crop diversity (annuals and perennials), berry production, and direct marketing strategies. Research taking place on the farm in coordination with WSU will be highlighted, including integrated pest management and field trials of several varieties of fruits and vegetables. A new cooperative agreement being forged between the owners, the farmers, and a new generation of farmers will be discussed. This Farm Walk will be offered in both English and Spanish. (Sustainable)

Driving Directions: From I-5 North - Take exit 255 (Sunset/Mt. Baker Highway/WA 542) and travel east for approximately ten miles. Turn left onto Highway 9 immediately after crossing the Nooksack River. Follow Highway 9 north toward the towns of Nooksack and Everson. At first stop sign in Nooksack take a left and then take an immediate right in between the two gas stations. Follow Highway 9 north for approximately 1.5 miles. Turn Right on Alm Road until you reach Gillies Road. Turn Right on Gillies Road and then an immediate left on Alm Road again. The farm is located at the top of the hill on Alm Road on the left hand side. The exact address is 3550 Alm Road, Everson, WA, for those who want to use Mapquest or Google Maps.

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Monday August 18 – 21 Acres, Woodinville
www.21acres.org

Agricultural and Environmental Learning Center The Farm at 21 Acres is used for research, experimentation and education, while producing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables for sale through local direct marketing avenues. Visitors will tour the farm and future site of the multi-purpose Agriculture Center, with a focus on urban farming, green technology, and building community support in urban areas for a traditionally rural enterprise. Participants will learn about the construction of the permanent farmers market, integration of animal husbandry into an urban setting and the community gardens on site. (Sustainable) WSU BIOAg site

Driving Directions: From 405 North, take exit #23 (Woodinville/Monroe) Hwy 522 East. stay in right lane, take first Woodinville exit and turn right off exit onto Hwy 202/131st Avenue. Remain in right lane. Through stoplight, under railroad tracks, and through the second stoplight crossing 175th Street. (on the right is gas station, fast food, Wilmot Park and apartment complex). 21 Acres is located on the right hand side, 13701 NE 171st Street, immediately past Zante's farm.

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Monday September 1 – Methow Creamery, Twisp

Value-Added Cow Dairy, On-Farm Feed Production Methow Creamery is a small scale sustainable organic dairy operation featuring twenty dairy cows and 800 acres of grain and hay production for the cows and off-farm sales. Owners Ron and Elise Vander Yacht sell Grade-A organic, non-pasteurized milk and cream at all the Methow Valley grocery stores and markets, as well as in Spokane, Chelan and Federal Way. Having been raised on a dairy, Ron will share a lifetime of well-earned expertise on raising alfalfa. Their organic hay sales have always been very popular, and when they decided to start a dairy, they already had the feed lined up! In addition to discussing the many facets of running a dairy, Ron and Elise will explain how they negotiated creative funding of their organic creamery through ShoreBank Pacific. (Organic)

Driving Directions:
Methow Creamery
287 Twisp Winthrop Eastside Road, Twisp, WA 98856

Drive east on Hwy 20 to the only 4-way stop in Winthrop.
Go straight through (east) the stop sign.
Go up the hill one block and turn right
The road becomes Twisp-Winthrop Eastside Road
Follow Twisp Winthrop Eastside Road for 6.5 miles and you’ll see a sign that says Methow Creamery.
The phone number is 509-997-5471
Ask anyone in Twisp or Winthrop for directions if you get lost.

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Monday September 8 – Nash’s Organic Produce, Sequim
www.nashsorganicproduce.com

Nash Huber:
American Farmland Trust's 2008 Steward of the Land Award Winner

Integrating Seed Into a Diversified Organic Farm Growing seed on-farm is a viable diversification strategy that can build farm financial and environmental sustainability. Micaela Colley from Organic Seed Alliance will join Nash Huber and the farm crew to lead a Farm Walk demonstrating the benefits of on-farm seed production. Nash came to the seed business as a produce farmer recognizing the need for variety security. The farm started maintaining their signature carrot variety “Nash’s Best” 10 years ago. Since then seed has filled many niches in their diversified 400-acre produce and livestock farm. Today they produce seed for on-farm use, variety security, livestock feed, and as a contracted crop. They are also involved in several on-farm breeding projects, including WSU wheat variety trials. Following the Farm Walk, a classroom and hands-on seed saving workshop will be taught by Nash Huber and Scott Chichester of Nash’s Organic Produce, and Micaela Colley of Organic Seed Alliance. (Organic)

Farm Walk 9:30 to 12:00. Cost $10 Tilth members, $15 non-members. Lunch 12:00 to 1:00.

Seed Saving Workshop from 1:00 to 4:00. Cost $10 Tilth members, $15 non-members (space limited)

Offered by Tilth Producers, WSU Small Farms Team, and Organic Seed Alliance www.seedalliance.org

Driving Directions: From highway 101 West, take the Sequim Ave. exit. turn right off the exit into downtown sequim. go straight through the first stoplight, and continue down Sequim-Dungeness Way for about 5.5 miles. (try not to cry as you pass all the new homes that have been built on farmland) eventually, you'll start to see signs for Nash's Farm Store. Pass the farm store (on your right) and turn into the next drive way on your right, 1865 E. Anderson, a.ka. the Packing Shed.
Sequim-Dungeness Way automatically turns into E. Anderson Way, at about 5 miles, so just keep going on the same road from down town, and eventually you can't miss the farm!

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Monday October 6- Styger Family Dairy Farm, Chehalis

Intensive Grazing for Award Winning Milk Andy and Linda Styger have been farming for 28 years on their family-operated farm in the Chehalis Valley, where for the past 18 years, they have run a dairy farm using intensive grazing practices. The Stygers have been shipping organic milk since 2004, and recently became members of Organic Valley Family of Farms cooperative. The Styger Family Diary Farm includes an 80 cow Holstein milking herd, in addition to 60 young stock. The Styger Farm consistently produces award winning quality milk while making ecologically-conscientious decisions. They have been recognized for both acheivements by their cooperative and the Washington State Department of Ecology. (Organic)

Driving Directions: From I-5 take exit #77 west toward State Hwy 6, turn just before the bridge on to Riverside Drive and follow it out of town, cross a concrete bridge over the Newaukum River count 3 houses on the right after the bridge and turn right onto the Tune Road. Come up about 2 1/2 miles we are the Red & White buildings with the Organic Valley Styger Family Farm Sign. Come to the Blue house up the hill at 156 Tune Road. Easy to find only 5 minutes off I-5 at Chehalis.

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