A map showing the 10 farms featured for the 20th annual Harvest Celebration put on by the Washington State University Clark County Extension Office set for Sept. 15.
Ten farms across Clark County are opening their gates to the public Saturday as part of the 20th annual Harvest Celebration put on by the Washington State University Clark County Extension.
Alpaca fleece, cut flowers, honey products as well as dairy, vegetable and meat produce will be on display and available for purchase at participating farms from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 15.
Three new farms will join the tour this year: Mtn Peaks Therapy Llamas & Alpacas, Heisen House Vineyard, and Tangled Gardens. The new locations will join Botany Bay Farms, Half Moon Farm, Coyote Ridge Ranch, White Oak Alpacas, Greene Jungle Farm, Serendipity Alpaca Ranch and Velvet Acres Gardens.
The event gives participants a chance to meet local farmers, purchase their produce and interact with livestock while seeing what local farming operations look like. Event organizers noted several of the activities offered at the different farms for the event including animal petting, self-guided tours, you-pick vegetables, a pumpkin patch, and photo opportunities with alpacas.
This year’s slate of featured farms includes two that were recognized by the WSU Clark County Extension for environmental stewardship. Both Serendipity Alpaca Ranch and Half Moon Farm have received “Doing Our Part for Clean Water” signs displayed at their respective locations, given by the extension due to the farms’ practices that protect clean water and natural resources.
“These farms are important as we work to build a culture of stewardship in Clark County and they’re an excellent place to learn about sustainable farming practices,” WSU Clark County Extension Small Acreage Program Coordinator Amber Lefstead said in a statement.
“This celebration offers residents a great opportunity to meet local farmers and connect with local sources for farm products, while also showing their support for Clark County agriculture,” WSU Clark County Extension Director Doug Stienbarger added.
White Oak Alpacas
39908 NE 12th Ave., Woodland
Take a walk on the mild side. Learn what it takes to transform a fleece into wearable garments and troll down ‘Alpaca Lane’ to see local hand spinners spinning fiber into yarns. The “Sheared Delights” farm boutique will be open for shopping, hats, mittens, scarves, gloves, socks, shawls, yarns, roving, alpacas. Restroom available.
No pets please.
Coyote Ridge Ranch
2404 NW Coyote Ridge Road, La Center
Coyote Ridge has a wide variety of vegetables and fruits available to pick. They will have peppers, eggplant, kale, chard, corn, squash, figs, boysenberries, apples, and eggs for sale. Picnic tables and restrooms available.
Mtn Peaks Therapy Llamas & Alpacas
33005 NW 31st Ave Ridgefield
Rojo the Llama, Napoleon the Alpaca and company are excited to welcome visitors to their new Mtn Peaks Home. All ages will be able to pet, take photos with and give carrot “kisses” to the farm’s people-friendly camelids.
Learn all about llamas and alpacas and the special services they provide on and off the farm to the community. Well behaved dogs on a leash are also invited to join your family on this tour. Restrooms and a picnic area available.
Greene Jungle Farm
3316 NW 289th St., Ridgefield
Come meet the farmers and visit a family friendly, diversified farm in Ridgefield. The farm is Animal Welfare Approved (AWA), which ensures that chickens, pigs, cattle, and sheep are well-cared for and enjoy happy, healthy lives.
The farm’s philosophy is “beyond organics” which considers the interdependence of the biological and physical aspects of the farming process to build sustainable integrated systems. Guided farm tours start at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., though attendees can come any time to walk around at their leisure to enjoy the fresh air and scenic beauty. The farm offers pastured raised meats, you-pick vegetables and fruits for purchase. Picnic area available. Leave pets at home.
Serendipity Alpaca Ranch
2630 NE 253rd St. Ridgefield
Serendipity is a cottage industry with a farm store and a small breeding program. The farm will give demonstrations of animal husbandry. Baby alpacas will be available to pet. There will be lots of fiber exhibits and examples.
Heisen House Vineyard
28005 NE 172nd Ave., Battle Ground
Heisen House Vineyards specializes in small scale, handcrafted wine and hard cider made in the traditional European style with minimal intervention, filtering, or chemical additions.
Tangled Gardens
18700 NE 85th Avenue, Battle Ground
Tangled Gardens is a small garden that grows heirloom variety flowers in raised beds. The flowers are grown using organic growing methods. Ready made “gathered from the garden” bouquets will be for sale as well as a do-it-yourself flower bar where visitors can create their own bouquet.
Complimentary light refreshments. Patrons are encouraged to wander the property during the open time.
Half Moon Farm
14737 NE 159th St., Brush Prairie
Fresh cut flowers, produce and farm fresh eggs, raw local honey and honey products and herbs, beeswax candles and handcrafted goat milk soaps are offered from the farm store. The farm will also be showing off its three new lamancha goats that are used for brush clearing. Attendees will be able to taste honey and learn about beekeeping and organic practices used on the farm. Self guided tours all day of the gardens. Picnic area available. No pets please.
Velvet Acres Gardens
18905 NE 83rd St., Vancouver
Velvet Acres offers fresh, locally grown right on the farm you-pick or “we-pick” vegetables. The farm grows hanging baskets and 40 different vegetables for sale and 10 acres of pumpkins. Restrooms and picnic area available.
Botany Bay Farm
13513 NE 132nd Ave., Brush Prairie
Botany Bay Farm is family run and pasture based. Attendees are invited to see how the farm works together to produce pastured beef, chicken, pork and eggs from animals raised without any soy or GMOs. Guided tours start at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., but attendees are welcomed to arrive early and stay late. The farm will have free face painting and a chick petting area for the kids, and the Mack Shack is onsite serving farm-to-table gourmet breakfast and lunch burritos using Botany Bay Farm meats and eggs. Shaded picnic area, restroom and water are provided, and meats and eggs are available for purchase.
No pets.
