Strawberry Fields Forever
Join the Skagit Farm Tour & Tasting! Explore the bounty of fresh berries in the beautiful Skagit Valley.
On June 14th, join GSV director Blake Van Roekel, 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 Christy Fox of Evolve Cafe 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.
Though this tour is sold out, more are on the horizon for 2024 and 2025. Please feel free to join the wait list for more by emailing info@genuineskagitvalley.com.
We thank the WSDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 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!
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.
Skagit Farm Tour & Tasting Menu
Guests will receive a bento box of strawberry-inspired culinary delights by Chef Christy Fox of Evolve Cafe. Each bite will feature strawberries from each of the farms in a savory or sweet creation. A non-alcoholic strawberry beverage will also be provided.
Strawberry inspiration
Sun-sweetened strawberries shine in this Strawberry Shortcake recipe. Author Rachael Sobczak of Water Tank Bakery exclusively uses Cairnspring Mills Flour in all of her baked goods. The shortcakes are buttery, light, and flavorful. To top them off are the glorious Skagit-grown strawberries of Schuh Farms. Want to get a taste of #magicskagit? A strawberry shortcake recipe is an American classic. This one is a Skagit classic!
Have you enjoyed a Strawberry Cazuela on a warm summer day?
Project Manager, Alex Perez, of the Northwest Agriculture Business Center provided a recipe for Genuine Skagit Cooking:
“This drink, las cazuelas voladoras, is originally from La Barca, Jalisco. But at El Parián de San Pedro Tlaquepaque, it is part of the tradition of tourists and locals drinking a cazuela while watching a mariachi show. For a Skagit twist, the strawberry puree made from local berries is a tasty addition to the perfect summer drink.”
Skagit Grown: Silva Family Farm or Pure Nelida strawberries
Makes 4 to 6 servings
2 cups strawberries
Juice of 1 lemon
1 orange, sliced
1 grapefruit, sliced, plus more for garnish
1 lime, sliced
2 (12-ounce) cans grapefruit soda
24 ounces Mineral water
Kosher salt
White tequila (optional)
Ice
In a blender, puree the strawberries until very smooth. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds.
In a large clay cazuela or punch bowl, add the strawberry puree, lemon juice, oranges, grapefruit, limes, soda, and water. Add salt to taste and stir to combine. Stir in the tequila (if using).
In a small cazuela or glass, add ice and then ladle the cocktail over top. Garnish each cocktail with a slice of grapefruit.
Notes
While you can make this cocktail in any container, a clay cazuela provides a different and more complete flavor to the drink.
It is recommended you put on mariachi music and accompany yourself with people with whom you can share this drink.
Would you like to explore more recipes from the heart of the Skagit Valley?
