From the SJC Agricultural Resources Committee
CELEBRATE THE HARVEST! Join us in October for The Great Island Grown Festival. This month-long celebration offers a rare glimpse inside the unique world of food and farming in the San Juan Islands. Come together with farmers, restaurants, the island community, and visitors to celebrate a vibrant farming community, pastoral landscapes, food, and the island way of life. Enjoy a variety of events, classes and workshops. From a farm tour and talk on the wizardry of permaculture to scarecrow making; to old island historic barn tours and farm-to-table feasts; sheep dog demonstrations and how to farm with horses, vineyard harvests, a barn dance, pig-roast and more – it’s bound to be a deliciously good time on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands.
Some highlights include: The Fall Farm Parade (Saturday, October 6th) – Tractors, Old Farm Trucks, and Horses, Oh My! This old-fashioned parade has it all! If this funky, homegrown production of island produce and producers doesn’t turn your head, what will?
Harvest Meal on the Village Green (Sunday, October 7th): Farm to Table is alive and well on Orcas Island! On the day following the last outdoor Orcas Island Farmer’s Market, long, linen-draped tables will be set on the Village Green in the middle of Eastsound. A host of well-known Orcas Island chefs, led by premier chef and author Christina Orchid, will be serving a meal of the Island’s finest dishes made with local ingredients to guests wishing to experience incredible community-based agriculture.
Shellfish Farm Tour and Lunch (Saturday, October 13th): Visit the Sweetwater Shellfish Farm on Lopez to see how oysters, mussels, and clams, are raised and then taste them—there’s nothing fresher than this!
At Westcott Bay Ciderworks and San Juan Distillery, tours and tastings of cider and distilled spirits as well as an apple picking party will be held on select weekends in October. “We’re using locally foraged ingredients to make a high-quality natural product for islanders, and if that makes us a tourist attraction too, that’s awesome,” said Suzy Pingree, partner, San Juan Island Distillery.
Celebrated Chef Christina Orchid, Red Rabbit Farm, who will be offering a series of four cooking classes in October related, “Sustainable agriculture is actually working in the San Juans; come and see it for yourselves!”
For the full calendar of events, and to check for updates on “The Great Island Grown Festival” events and times at www.islandgrown.net/islandgrownprogram
The Great Island Grown Festival is part of “Savor the San Juans: A Medley of Food, Art & Culture,” this month-long movable feast for the senses includes tempting lodging and restaurant specials and harvest activities, visit www.visitsanjuans.com/savor as more specials are added daily.
As part of this festival, don’t miss the special Orcas Historic Barns Tour taking place Oct. 13, 14, a benefit for the Orcas Island Historical Society. Talks & demonstrations, and maybe a little animal patting, will take place at each barn.
Tickets can be purchased at the Historical Museum (376-4849), The Orcas Chamber of Commerce, the Art of the Salish Sea shop, or on line at orcasmuseum.org.