The 20th Clallam County Farm Tour was a hit with locals in more than one way.
The tour on Oct. 1 of seven farms also served as an end point for the North Olympic Land Trust’s “Friends of the Fields” campaign centered on local farmland conservation.
The group reached and exceeded its goal set on Sept. 1 of $125,000 to help secure the remaining funds to ensure the 60-acre Historic Ward Farm is forever available for agriculture use.
“The community really rose to the challenge we set out to achieve,” said Tom Sanford, North Olympic Land Trust executive director. “The shared success of this campaign is reflective of the value our community places on maintaining access to local farmland for generations to come.”
In late 2015, the Land Trust secured state funding for most of the funds needed to permanently preserve the farm that sits along the Dungeness River and has been in production since 1858. Nash’s Organic Produce staff grow seed and vegetable crops on the farm.
Land Trust employees estimate the campaign raised about $128,700 with more donations coming in.
“With hundreds of acres of local farmland yet to be conserved, it’s great we not only reached our goal, but exceeded it,” Sanford said. “This campaign is a positive step toward preserving the remaining farmland, which also supports the overarching goal to conserve the lands that sustain the communities of Clallam County.”
Many donations were made to the campaign at one of the seven farms — Nash’s Organic Produce, Lurkalee Gaare, Five Acre School, Lazy J Tree Farm, Jardin du Soleil, Dungeness Valley Creamery and Agnew Grocery & Feed.
In total, organizers with the Land Trust and the WSU Clallam County Extension estimate about 1,730 individuals visited at least one farm.
Clea Rome, WSU Clallam County Extension director, said the success of the farm tour is a reminder that families love the event.
“People enjoy getting out on local farms,” she said. “I think there’s just something magical about that type of community experience.”
Saturday evening, Nash’s Organic Produce hosted a potluck and Bellingham band Polecat for dancing. Organizers said proceeds from alcohol sales and a portion of ticket sales, around 350, went to the Land Trust’s campaign.
To date, the Land Trust has conserved 460 acres of local farmland, such as Dungeness Valley Creamery, Finn Hall Farm and Freedom Farm.
While this campaign is over, donations still are accepted at www.northolympiclandtrust.org, by calling 471-1815 or mailing a check to North Olympic Land Trust, 602 E. Front St., Port Angeles, WA. 98362.
