Stanwood farms get ready for tours

Published 10:07 pm Tuesday, July 15, 2008

STANWOOD — Signs of the upcoming Harvest Jubilee are about to start popping up in Stanwood.

Literally.

Volunteers for the annual agricultural event will be posting signs in farm fields around Stanwood to mark the various types of crops being grown.

The signs will help city slickers know what they’re seeing when they come to this summer’s Harvest Jubilee, which is planned for Sept. 20 and based at the Country Store parking lot in the 8800 block of 271st St. NW in Stanwood.

“I remember growing up as a kid on a farm,” said Vivian Henderson, the jubilee’s coordinator, who owns a vegetable and herb farm just outside Stanwood. “City folks used to like to come out in the summer for a little while, pull weeds and harvest their own fresh vegetables to experience the rural way of life. I think people still like that.”

The daylong event is expected to feature free farm tours, dancing, farming demonstrations, equipment displays, vendors and more. Organizers hope the jubilee will help people connect with local farmers and take more of an interest in where their food comes from.

A total of 18 farms have signed up to be part of this year’s jubilee, Henderson said. Farms added to the tours include alpaca farms, vegetable farms and community farms.

Visitors should bring money to buy fresh fruits and produce from the various farms they see, Henderson said.

They should also bring open minds, she said.

“Farmers tend to be very holistic in their way of life,” Henderson said. “They’re in harmony with the landscape, and there’s a lot of information that people can gain.”

Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.

Volunteers needed at fairs and festivals

Volunteers are needed to help staff the Harvest Jubilee in Stanwood. Volunteers are also needed this Saturday and Sunday for Art by the Bay on Camano Island, the Silvana Fair on July 26, and the Stanwood Camano Fair from Aug. 1 to 3.

For information about volunteering, call Vivian Henderson at 360-652-2569.