The ninth annual Whatcom County Farm Tour set for Saturday, September 10, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at 12 different Whatcom County stops. Maps can be picked up starting mid-August at Community Co-op stores, area farmers markets, visitors centers and at EatLocalFirst.org. The cost is free of charge or by donation.

2016 Tour Stops:

·         Bellingham Farmers Market – a meeting place for our farmers, locals and entrepreneurs. fresh produce, food, crafts, and demo days.

·         Joe’s Gardens – a vibrant urban farm, learn about soil quality, check out ‘walk behind’ tractors, see 40,000 heads of garlic being braided, and more.

·         Twin Sisters Farmers Market – a mobile farmers market, find out how they are solving food desert issues and increasing access to healthy local food in the Foothills.

·         Cloud Mountain Farm Center – a nursery, workshop and living laboratory. Tours every hour, fresh fruit and veggie tasting, and special workshops.

·         Vartanyan Estate Winery – a small, woman owned and operated winery, producing some of the finest limited edition wines in the region.

·         Ten Fold Farm – a certified Naturally Grown farm, learn about heirloom and non-GMO veggies, farm planning and food distribution; and enjoy tasting and a walking tour.

·         BelleWood Acres and Distilling – apples, cider, distillery, train rides, corn maze and more.

·         Twin Brook Creamery – turn of the century dairy with a historic barn tour, baby cows, wagon rides, and chocolate milk tastings.

·         MyShan Dairy- small family dairy with special Guernsey cows, on their way to being certified non-GMO, enjoy hay rides, see the processing facility and pet Guernsey fawns.

·         The Cheese Shop at Appel Farms – a dairy and artisanal cheese producer. Learn about, and taste, the eight varieties of cheese made here, plus the handmade ice cream and yogurt!

·         Ulrich Farm & Nursery – focuses on growing small fruit perennial plants and organic berries and veggies. Learn about permaculture and check out the specialty tubers for sale.

·         Ferndale Farmstead – a seed-to-cheese operation! A 500-acre farm that grows the feed for the cows, who make milk for the creamery onsite. Learn about this process and taste the cheeses.