When it comes to throwing a shindig, the farmers of San Juan County know how to pull out all the stops: an upcoming festival thrown by the county’s Agricultural Resources Committee will run the entire month of October. Talk about a fete.
“Join us in celebrating the bounty and beauty of our local farms!” says ARC coordinator Peggy Bill.
In case you’re wondering, local farmers’ ideas of entertainment include “bowling” for squash pins with cabbages; sheep dog demonstrations; a Fall Farm Parade; farm to table feasts using local products; farm tours; a class on selecting fleece, carding, spinning and dyeing; cheese making; a hard cider orchard tour and tasting; a shellfish farm tour and lunch; a pig roast and potluck; cooking classes by acclaimed chefs and other agrarian escapades.
Farm and food events have been scheduled throughout the month on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands.
The festival will be island-hopping as it gathers steam, focusing on a different island each weekend. Most Lopez events will take place from Sept. 29-Oct. 2; most Orcas events Oct. 7-10; and San Juan Island events from Oct. 14-16.
Black Dog Farm will host “Family Fun on the Farm” from 1-4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, including goat milking, a seminar on fruit grafting and pruning, a lunch of roasted local veggies and beef, a juice bar, and storage crops for sale in bulk, complete with storage instructions.
“We’ll try to do some games too, like squash bowling pins, possibly flinging cabbages at them,” said Black Dog farmer Ian Harlow.
Doe Bay Cafe and Orcas Farm will host a “Field to Sea” dinner on Saturday, Oct. 8, featuring Buck Bay shellfish and foods from the Doe Bay and Orcas Farm gardens. Doe Bay’s Jami Mitchell said the dinner dovetails nicely with Doe Bay’s “Seed to Table” philosophy.
“The food is grown right here on site, prepared and served at the cafe; it never gets in the back of a truck,” she said.
Orcas Island Farm to Cafeteria will host a wine tasting booth at the Farmers Market on Oct. 8 and on Sunday, Oct. 9 a lunch at Ship Bay, followed by a tour of the Glenwood Springs salmon hatchery.
A full calendar of events by island is posted online at www.sjcarcorg, and will continue to be updated as events are added.
“Support of our local farms through agritourism is a priority for the Agricultural Resources Committee, and we will continue to build this annual tradition, helping to educate locals and visitors about our unique island farms,” said Bill. “We also hope to expand the events to include farm-related art shows and studio tours, biking tours to farms, more classes, etc. There are endless possibilities. Bring your family and friends to support and learn about our local farms.”
For more information, contact info@sjcarc.org. The festival is sponsored by Blossom Grocery, Valley Farm Center, Lopez Village Market, Jones Family Farm, Allium Restaurant, Orcas Trail Riders and Wild Bird Bamboo.
Savor the San Juans
The Islands Fall Farm Festival is Islands Fall Farm Festival is part of “Savor the San Juans: A Medley of Food, Art & Culture,” sponsored by the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau. Information about other events, lodging and restaurant specials during the month of October can be found online at www.visitsanjuans.com/savor/.
