A Fall favorite returns with new features: SJ Islands farm tours and dining events 

||| FROM SAN JUAN ISLANDS MAKERS GUILD |||

Island Farms on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez are opening their gates and fields for delightful and informative farm walks, talks, workshops and special farm-to-fork dining events September 22nd through October 8th. The islands’ heritage of self-sufficient agriculture practices continues to shape the landscapes and current land use policies of the San Juans. These values and experiences are aimed at preserving a rural way of life that is loved and encouraged by locals and visitors alike.  

One of the most valuable features of the San Juan Islands lifestyle is having nearby access to fresh, local, superior produce, meats, dairy, garden plants, and fiber products. Another cherished feature is the preservation of rural open space, picturesque hay fields, bountiful row crops, and grazing animals. Today, the Islands’ local food movement is working to develop sustainable agriculture operations that embrace climate and resource wise methods that generate delicious, high-nutrient foods for better health and enjoyment, and also contribute to natural resource conservation efforts.  

This year, Island Grown, the local ag promotion program of the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild, in conjunction with the Food Heroes program hosted by the San Juan Islands Makers Guild, are working with local farmers and chefs under support from the San Juan Islands Conservation District to coordinate over 32 farm tours on San Juan, Lopez and Orcas Islands. 

Local islanders and visitors are welcome to attend the tours and enjoy special educational presentations, music, and dining features. The tours launch on San Juan, Sept. 22-24, continue on Orcas Sept. 29-Oct. 1, and rotate to Lopez on Oct 6, concluding the 8^th.  

New this year are: 

• Music events hosted at Sweet Earth Farm and Madrone Cellars on Saturday Sept. 23^rd and a Saturday BBQ hosted by Aurora Farm on San Juan. 
• The Food Heroes program on Orcas is hosting local fruit hard cider tastings on Saturday Sept. 30th at Warm Valley Farm and a farm lunch at Warm Valley Orchard on Sunday Oct. 1^st. (advance tickets required) 
• Lopez Tours launch with a market garden tour and dinner at Midnight’s Farm that is co-hosted by the Lopez Locavores, Food Heroes, and the Makers Guild. (advance tickets required) 
• Lopez and Orcas dining event proceeds benefit island school gardens, encouraging the next generations of local food and agriculture supporters. 

Along with informative farm walks, the tours offer special education events including Edible Flowers, Soil conservation, Regenerative agriculture, Wine and Cider production, Island Grange resources, School garden, and Climate wise practices. Farm animal activities, hands-on art and crafts, apple pressing, hard cider and spirits tastings, and demonstrations of farm-grown fibers and yarns are other highlights across the islands. 

Something fun for all ages! 

For Farm Tour maps and guides, see https://www.farmtourssanjuans.com/ 

 For Farm-to-Fork ticket reservations, see  https://sanjuanmakersguild.com/farm-to-fork23/