TACOMA, Wash. — The King County Harvest Celebration and Pierce County HarvestFEST offer three days of free-range farm adventures on Sept. 24, 25 and Oct. 1. The combined events feature 28 farms paired with fun kid’s activities, chef demonstrations, wine tastings, farm stands, pumpkin patches, farm animals, a fiber arts show, historical exhibits and other educational events.
King and Pierce County residents can experience local food and farm economy firsthand by meeting farmers and discovering farm-fresh products during the farm tours.
Now in their 13th year, the tours are coordinated by WSU Extension with support from King Conservation District, Tremaine Foundation, King County Agriculture Program, Pierce County, Cascade Harvest Coalition, Puget Sound Fresh, King-Pierce County Farm Bureau, Tacoma Farmers Market and many others.
“Visiting farms on the tour helps support local businesses so our communities stay strong and local food dollars keep circulating in our local communities,” said Brad Gaolach, WSU Extension director for Pierce and King counties. “Also, with so many enjoyable attractions on each farm, this event is a fun way for families to learn about how our food is grown and how our farmers are stewards of the environment.”
“The farm tour is a great chance to get out and see where your food is coming from,” said farmer Greg Reed of Island Meadow Farm. “In King County, we have the opportunity to eat all kinds of fresh local produce from surrounding small farms. This tour is the perfect time to visit the farms and forge connections with the people and places producing your food.”
A free PDF guide with information about the King County Harvest Celebration and Pierce County HarvestFEST is available as a download at http://county.wsu.edu/king/agriculture/harvestcelebration/ or http://county.wsu.edu/pierce/agriculture/Pages/HarvestFest.aspx. Printed copies will also be available after Labor Day at select locations.
For more information, contact Gaolach, (253) 798-3259, gaolach@wsu.edu.
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