Back by popular demand!
Explore the bounty of fresh berries in the beautiful Skagit Valley.
On June 20th, join GSV director Blake Van Roekel and WSU Skagit County Extension director Don McMoran as we tour three iconic Skagit berry farms; Schuh Farms, Silva Family Farm, and Sakuma Brothers. Each farm holds a distinguished foothold in Skagit’s famed berry production. Guests will embark on the chartered tour from the Burlington Chamber of Commerce located at 520 E Fairhaven Ave, Burlington, WA 98233. This event also commemorates the opening weekend of Berry Dairy Days, a celebration in Burlington, Washington of Skagit’s farming community.
“Strawberry Fields Forever” welcomes visitors into the fields of the Skagit Valley for an educational and culinary experience. Chef Courtney Bourasaw of The Skagit Table is preparing both sweet and savory bites and a beverage from the strawberries of each farm. As “master of ceremonies”, Don McMoran will provide the history, fun facts, and qualities that make Skagit-grown strawberries (and other berries) some of the best in the nation. The tour returns to the Burlington Chamber of Commerce at 5:00 pm.
The farms you will visit on the Skagit Farm Tour & Tasting
Guests will tour three iconic Skagit berry farms; Schuh Farms, Silva Family Farm, and Sakuma Brothers. Each farm holds a distinguished foothold in Skagit’s famed berry production. Schuh Farms has been inviting visitors to their fields and farm store for over 60 years. They host one of Skagit’s largest U-Pick operations with countless varieties of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Silva Family Farm offers premier, organic, fresh-market strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. They have expanded from business incubation and acreage at Viva Farms to successful farm ownership. The rich history of Sakuma Brothers is only matched by their scale of production; Sakuma grows and distributes fresh and frozen berries internationally. Their investment in farming and processing supports many operations from around the U.S. and has lent recognition to the Skagit Valley as one of the most renowned berry growing regions in the country.
Your tour leaders
Blake Van Roekel is the Director for Genuine Skagit Valley, a program to heighten consumer connection to the agriculture of the Skagit Valley. Her 15 years in the farm and food industry of the Pacific Northwest include running a cooking school and farm tour company, starting a farmers’ market, and consulting for food and farm establishments. She thrives in developing successful communication strategies to grow and gather community. Blake resides in Alger,
Washington, where she can be found building forts in the forest with her daughter, gardening, and enjoying the exuberant symphony of geese, goats, and sheep that live next door.
Don McMoran was born on a 2000 acre diversified potato farm in Mount Vernon Washington. He grew up working on the farm including bucking hay bales and moving irrigation pipe all summer long. Working in the fields was long and hard but he grew to appreciate how hard area farmers work to make the valley what it is today. Don completed his Masters Degree in General Agriculture in 1998 with a minor in Spanish and a Masters in Arts and teaching in 2000. After graduating from college Don taught Spanish at Stanwood Middle School for one year before receiving a position with the Skagit Conservation District where he implemented the Conservation Enhancement Reserve Program (CREP). In May of 2006 Don was hired as the WSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator for Skagit County, where he assists local farmers and gardeners with their research and extension needs. His major programming includes Cropping and Irrigation Systems, Leadership, Farm Stress, Agricultural Suicide Prevention and Outreach to Underserved Audiences.
Register
Space is limited, register early! We also encourage guests to be prepared for the weather and walking on uneven surfaces. Registration closes on 6/18. Cost is $65 per person, all inclusive of meals and transportation.
We thank the WSDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and Skagit County for their support of Genuine Skagit Valley’s Farm Tour & Tasting series. And much appreciation to the Burlington Chamber of Commerce for their community collaboration!