FALL HARVEST FARM TOUR IS SATURDAY >>>
Summer, or what the South Sound saw of it this year, is in the past. The bounties of autumn await.
In celebration of the changing seasons and the local harvest, the Washington State University Extension program invites the community to its annual free Fall Harvest Farm Tour Saturday, Oct. 1 at farms in the Puyallup Valley, Orting, Roy and Key Peninsula areas. The farms will keep the gates open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival is considered to be an open house for the organic and sustainable farming programs in Pierce County, allowing the community to learn about sustainable farming methods and the environmental stewardship that make farmers so awesome.
Unless you're on a strict high-preservative, low-nutrition-value, fast-food-for-life diet, you're certain to dig the Fall Harvest Farm Tour. You'll leave with a sack full of fine fixin's for the evenings fare, a wet butt from the hayrides, a couple of souvenirs for the kitchen counter and a head buzzin' full of pride as your pumpkin was launched from the slingshot the farthest.
For a complete list of participating farms, click here.
Here are the four Puyallup Valley farms participating in Saturday's tour:
4520 River Rd, Tacoma
www.terrysberries.com
Terry's Berries opened more than 25 years ago when consumer interest in organic farming was just beginning to catch on. One of the oldest Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms, they offer certified organic produce year round at the farm store and through weekly customer shares.
Here's what they have planned Saturday:
From I-5: Take Exit 135. Drive toward Puyallup on River Road (SR 167) for about two miles and look for the farm on the right.
6502 52nd St. E., Puyallup
www.pichafarms.com
Dan and Russ Picha are third generation farmers carrying on the family business begun by their grandfather, Mike Picha, in 1904 and continued by their father, Ted (Farmer Ted!). In October, Picha's pumpkin patch and corn maze is popular, especially its pumpkin slingshot.
Here's what they have planned Saturday:
From I-5: Take Exit 135 to merge onto River Road (WA-167). Continue on River Road and turn right onto 66th Avenue East. Take the first right onto 52nd Street East. Farm will be seen on the left.
2615 Tacoma Rd, Puyallup
www.pacificnorthwestshop.com/pnwfoods/
puyallupjamfactory.htm
Farmers Carol and Bud Moon have been growing berries at Moon Berry Farm for more than 40 years. At the heart of their farm is the Puyallup Valley Jam Factory where they turn fresh berries into delicious jams, purees and syrups.
Here's what they have planned Saturday:
From I-5: Take Exit 135 and head toward Puyallup. Stay right and follow Pioneer Way East. When Pioneer Way East meets 72nd Street East, turn left. Pioneer Way East will turn into West Pioneer Way. Follow West Pioneer Way and turn left (north) onto Tacoma Road. Follow Tacoma Road through several intersections to the end and look for the farm on the right.
9710 SR 162 E., Puyallup
www.spoonerberries.com
Spooner Farms has been family owned and farmed since 1882. They specialize in Washington berries: strawberries, raspberries blackberries. The also grow corn. Every autumn, Spooner Farms host the Spooner pumpkin harvest wonderland.
Here's what they have planned Saturday:
From Puyallup: Head east from Puyallup on East Pioneer Avenue, which turns into Pioneer Way East. Turn right (south) on the Sumner-Orting Hwy (WA-162) and look for Spooner Farms on the right.