PORT TOWNSEND — Fifteen working farms will open to the public for the 10th annual Jefferson County Farm Tour on Sunday, Sept. 16.
The free, self-guided tour will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Farm Tour Central will be located at Chimacum Corner Farmstand at 9122 Rhody Drive in Chimacum from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
It will offer complimentary guidebooks and “Tour Des Fermes” biking maps.
Farms span many production systems, including dairy, meat, fiber, fruit and vegetable, said Laura Lewis, director of the Washington State University Jefferson County Extension.
‘Stewards’ of heritage
“Visiting these stewards of agricultural heritage affords community members the opportunity to get to know their farmers and offers visitors the enriching experience of engaging with Jefferson County farms through taste, smell, sound and touch,” Lewis said.
Educational demonstrations, live music and a variety of activities are planned.
New this year is a Farm Tour drawing, with four prizes to be awarded.
Tickets are $5 and are available for sale at WSU Jefferson County Extension office at 201 W. Patison St., Port Hadlock, and at Chimacum Corner Farmstand.
Lewis will pull the winning tickets at Farm Tour Central following the Farm Tour.
The grand prize will be a two-night stay at the Inn at Port Ludlow and a cooking lesson for two with Dan Ratigan, Fireside’s executive chef.
First, second prizes
A two-night stay at the Huckleberry House at Finnriver Farm paired with an exclusive tasting at the Finnriver Cidery will be the first prize, while the second prize will be a two-night stay in a campaign-style cabin at Elk Meadows Farm and a seafood lunch from the nearby Big Quil Shellfish Farm.
The third prize will be a one-night stay at Solstice Farm B&B with a homemade breakfast for two.
All proceeds go to support the Jefferson County Farm Tour and WSU Jefferson County Extension Small Farms Team programs.
A kickoff dance is set from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Rotary Pavilion at HJ Carroll Park, 9884 Rhody Drive.
Admission is by donation.
Cort Armstrong and the Blue Rooster Band will perform, with Eli Lamb and Mutton Chop opening.
Beer and hard cider will be available for sale.
Proceeds will benefit the Field Program, an educational internship program in sustainable agriculture offered by Jefferson County farmers and the WSU Jefferson County Small Farms Team.
Farms on tour
The farms on the tour are:
■ Whiskey Hill Farm — Diana Dyer and family, 2333 Cape George Road.
■ Sunfield Farm & Waldorf School — Neil and Verity Howe, 111 Sunfield Lane, Port Hadlock; www.sunfieldfarm.org/our-farm.
■ SpringRain Farm & Orchard — John G. Bellow and Roxanne Hudson, 187 Covington Way, Chimacum; www.springrainfarmandorchard.com.
■ Red Dog Farm — Karyn Williams, Center Road, Chimacum; www.reddogfarm.net.
■ Westbrook Angus — Chuck and Julie Boggs, 1311 West Valley Road, Chimacum; www.westbrookangus.wordpress.com.
■ Short’s Family Farm — The Short family, Center Valley Road, Chimacum; www.shortsfamilyfarm.com.
■ Finnriver Farm & Cidery — Keith and Crystie Kisler, Janet Aubin and Jeff Horwath, 62 Barn Swallow Road, Chimacum; www.finnriver.com.
■ Bishop Family Dairy — The Bishop family, 2691 Egg & I Road, Chimacum; http://tinyurl.com/9y3hst2.
■ Ananda Hills Farm — Jennie Watkins, 553 Embody Road, Port Ludlow; www.anandahillsfarm.wordpress.com.
■ Compass Rose Farm — Kateen Fenter and family, 1463 West Uncas Road, Port Townsend; www.compassrosefarms.blogspot.com.
■ Taylored Fibers — Barry and Linda Taylor, 1671 Dabob Road, Quilcene; www.tayloredfibers.com.
■ Jacob’s Fleece — Jan Gillanders, 693 Big Leaf Lane, Quilcene.
■ Colinwood Farm — John Gunning and Jesse Hopkins, 1210 F St., Port Townsend.
■ Spring Hill Farm — Gary and Margaret Walters, 3723 Beaver Valley Road, Port Ludlow; www.springhillromneys.com.
■ Willow Wind Farm & Gardens — Mikaya Brayton, 1201 Four Corners Road, Port Townsend; http://tinyurl.com/9598cdy.
For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/7r3jngn.