Experience the stunning beauty and bounty of farming in the Skagit Valley
Skagit Farm Tours & Tastings offer a unique way to experience working farms in Skagit Valley, one of the most fertile farming regions in the Pacific Northwest. These educational and culinary adventures offer a behind-the-scenes look at the region’s renowned agriculture.
Learn about the history, fun facts, and unique qualities that make Skagit-grown crops some of the best in the world. Along the way, gain valuable insights into the farming techniques and practices that bring fresh, locally grown food from the field to your table. While exploring the valley, meeting local growers, and gather a deeper appreciation for the land that produces some of the Pacific Northwest’s most diverse and distinctive crops and foods.
GSV director Blake Van Roekel and the knowledgeable staff at WSU Skagit Extension lead the farm tours. Chef-curated bites are prepared utilizing ingredients directly from the farms on the respective tours.
Upcoming Tours
On Friday, May 29th, explore what it takes to produce food and fiber in the Skagit Valley on this all-inclusive tour. Gain insights into the shared challenges and opportunities of land stewardship, watersheds, and community vitality in our region. The tour runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Hear from experts and engage in meaningful discussions while enjoying locally prepared foods from the sea, the farm, and the forest. The tour weaves together the Watershed Story of Skagit’s working farms, ocean harvests, and forest lands.
This full-day experience includes exclusive visits to:
- Swinomish Shellfish Farm, where clean water nurtures a thriving ecosystem and supports local seafood.
- Harmony Dairy, showcasing sound stewardship practices that balance agriculture and watershed health.
- Hampton Tree Farm, demonstrating the role of forestry in water conservation and natural resource management.
Savor a lunchtime menu of freshly shucked oysters from Seas the Day Traveling Oyster Bar complimented by freshly baked bread, pastries, and local fruit provided by True North Bakery.
Cost is $65 and all-inclusive of transportation and lunch.
Space is limited and each tour has sold out – register early!
Explore the bounty of fresh berries and artisan cheese in the beautiful Skagit Valley.
On June 19th, join GSV director Blake Van Roekel as we tour Explore the farms that hold a distinguished foothold in Skagit’s famed berry & dairy production; Sakuma Brothers, Samish Bay Cheese, and Fairas Farm. Guests will embark on the chartered tour from the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. 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. At Samish Bay Cheese, guests will savor a cheese tasting paired with a strawberry course prepared by Chef Courtney Bourasaw of The Skagit Table. Learn about the history, fun facts, and qualities that make Skagit-grown berries and dairy products 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 farms, each offering a begin-the-scenes look at the diversity in operation and scale of Skagit’s renowned agriculture; Farias Farm, Samish Bah Cheese, and Sakuma Brothers.
Farias Farms has been serving the Skagit community with organically grown fresh produce and berries for nearly 10 years. Owner Francisco Farias and his wife Lorena, offer a success story of farm incubation at Viva Farms to owning and operating their home farm near Burlington. Bringing years of farming experience from both Mexico and the Skagit Valley, Farias Farms grows a diverse selection of vegetables, and notably, their famed fresh strawberries.
Samish Bay Cheese and whey more! Owners Suzanne and Roger Weschler began making their award-winning collection of artisan cheeses and yogurts almost 30 years ago in Bow,WA. Since then their certified organic dairy and creamery has grown to 200 acres of maritime, green-grass pasture, the qualities of which are reflected in the excellence of their cheeses, gaining national recognition.The rich history of
The rich history of Sakuma Brothers is only matched by their scale of production; Sakuma grows and distributes fresh and frozen berries internationally. Because they pack on the same day of harvest, they grow berry varieties celebrated for their flavor and sweetness. The resulting business success speaks for itself. 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.
Register
Space is limited, register early! We also encourage guests to be prepared for the weather and walking on uneven surfaces. Registration closes on 6/17. Cost is $65 per person, all inclusive of meals and transportation.
Three Farms, One Valley: The Diversity of
Skagit Agriculture
On Friday, July 31st, experience the working farms of Skagit Valley, one of the most fertile farming regions in the Pacific Northwest. Three Farms, One Valley offers a behind-the-scenes look at the region’s renowned agriculture. The tour is from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
From innovative new farms to multi-generation family operations, the Skagit Valley’s rich agricultural landscape reflects the power of some of the best farmland in the world—producing more than 90 commercial crops. Join us for an informative farm tour and discover what makes Skagit distinctive as we explore blueberry, dairy, and potato production.
At Bow Hill Blueberries, a first-generation family farm has earned national recognition for its exceptional value-added products crafted from just five acres of organic blueberries. Visitors can see how this small farm manages every step of production—from growing and harvesting to creating finished foods. Berry to bite!
At the turn of the 20th century, 900 dairies dotted the lush, emerald pastures of the Skagit Valley. Today, a handful uphold the heritage. At Wesen Farms, a Centennial Dairy, visitors can learn how dairy farms contribute to the agricultural landscape. Through practices like crop rotation, which provides important habitat for migratory waterfowl, and careful fertilizer management, dairies play a vital role in sustaining the region’s farming traditions.
Skagit’s maritime climate and nutrient-rich alluvial soils are ideal for growing high-quality red, white, and purple potatoes. The fifth generation of the Hughes family at Hughes Farms continues the legacy, distributing fresh-market potatoes across the nation and helping put Skagit Valley agriculture on the map.
Three Farms, One Valley is a collaboration between Genuine Skagit Valley, Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland, and Western Washington Agricultural Association. Together, these three organizations respectively help promote, protect, and advocate for policies that support the farming community of the Skagit Valley.
Register
Space is limited, register early! We also encourage guests to be prepared for the weather and walking on uneven surfaces. Registration closes on 7/25. Cost is $65 per person, all inclusive of meals and transportation.
Would you like to be notified when registration opens for future tours?
Learn about previous Skagit Farm Tour & Tastings
This project is partially funded by Skagit County Lodging Tax Funds and City of Burlington Lodging Tax Funds. We would also like to thank the dedicated staff at Washington State University Skagit County Extension for their support and partnership.
