As autumn saturates the surrounding landscapes and the air develops a refreshing chill, seven farms across the Sequim-Dungeness Valley are celebrating the harvest season at the 20th annual Clallam County Farm Tour.

For two decades the community has enjoyed the Farm Tour as an annual opportunity to connect with local farmland, listen to live music, eat farm-fresh food and engage with area farmers. The event continues to grow, said Tom Sanford, North Olympic Land Trust executive director.

In partnership with WSU Clallam County Extension, the Land Trust co-sponsors the annual event that allowed more than 2,000 individuals to visit local farms in 2015.

“Farm Tour is one of my favorite days of the year,” Sanford said. “It is an incredible opportunity for the whole community to reconnect with the areas agricultural heritage that continues to thrive.”

Just recently, Sarah and Ryan McCarthey, owners of participating Farm Tour farm Dungeness Valley Creamery, received a United States Department of Agriculture grant to expand their presence within a 100 miles and tap into the greater Olympic Peninsula, Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia markets.

For WSU Extension Director Clea Rome, “Farm Tour is great opportunity for residents to experience the beauty and diversity of farms we have in this area, and to see firsthand the important role that farms play in contributing to the quality of life in Clallam County,” she said.

The farms involved in this year’s tour offer diverse agricultural experiences, ranging from a raw milk dairy to a Christmas tree and compost farm.

For only $10 per carload (or free if biking), Farm Tour goers can learn how to make yogurt and butter at Dungeness Valley Creamery; watch a professional sheep-shearer and herding demonstrations with border collies at Lurkalee Gaare; check out antique tractors and choose from the U-pick pumpkin patch while visiting the 1920s farm store Agnew Grocery & Feed; take a hayride through the Christmas trees, apple and pear orchards at Lazy J Tree Farm; learn how to distill lavender at Jardin du Soleil; see elementary agricultural projects in action and take a student-led tour through the Dungeness Wildlife Refuge at Five Acre School; and finally discover the field of seed production at Nash’s Organic Produce.

To wrap up the full day spent on the farms, Nash’s Organic Produce also is hosting a community potluck at 6 p.m., followed by a barn dance at 7:30 p.m., with live music by the Bellingham band Polecat.

Per tradition, the 20th annual Clallam County Farm Tour is slated from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the first Saturday in October. While exploring the seven farms, visitors can look for opportunities to contribute the Land Trust’s fall Friends of the Fields campaign aimed at local farmland conservation.

On the verge of reaching the $125,000 campaign goal met, Land Trust officials hope to conclude the campaign alongside the community at this year’s event.

In a warm-up for Farm Tour, Sanford will be leading a public, informational tour at the 60-acre Historic Ward Farm that’s targeted for conservation under the campaign at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30.

RSVP to alana@northolympiclandtrust.org or call 417-1815 x3 to attend this free community tour.

For more information about Farm Tour and a map, visit www.northolympiclandtrust.org or extension.wsu.edu/clallam/.