Farm Walks
Each Farm Walk features farmer-to-farmer education through a tour of farm or business, with guest experts on hand to share the most current research and resources.
Join us for a Farm Walk!
Join Tilth Alliance in collaboration with Washington State University for the 16th year of Farm Walks. Farm Walks are designed to transfer the hard-earned expertise of established farmers to the current and next generations of sustainable producers. Each Farm Walk features farmer-to-farmer education through a tour of farm or business, with guest experts on hand to share the most current research and resources.
Farm Walks usually take place on Monday afternoons. Registration is $15 for Tilth Alliance members and students and $25 for non-members.
Questions? Contact Erin Murphy, Statewide Education Coordinator: erinmurphy@tilthalliance.org or (206) 633-0451 ext. 116 or
Nicole Witham, Statewide Coordinator of WSU Food Systems Program: nwitham@wsu.edu or (360) 379-5610 ext. 212 / (425) 218-3608
Save the Date: Farm Walks 2019
This year we will visit seven farm locations throughout Washington State, hosted by organic, sustainable and innovative farm and food businesses providing peer-to-peer education. Keep an eye out for registration!
Holistic Management for Grazing Animals and Innovative Distribution Models
Lazy R Ranch and LINC Foods — Cheney and Spokane, WA
Mon., July 29; 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Join the Facebook event.
Join us for a two-part Farm Walk at Lazy R Ranch and LINC Foods! We will start the day at Lazy R Ranch where we will learn from 2018 Tilth Conference Farmer of the Year Beth Robinette about her ranch's approach to holistically managed grass fed meats. We will see how this fourth generation family ranch has used their livestock to heal the land and how Holistic Management is the decision making tool for everything they do, from adaptive management of grazing to direct marketing to their customers. There is an WSDA on-farm custom beef harvest happening the morning of the Farm Walk so participants will have the opportunity to tour the handling site and observe the process. Also get a first hand look at the pasture management that allows Lazy R to mimic the natural symbiotic relationship between grazing animals and grasslands. The group will then make their way to the LINC Foods Warehouse where we will talk about cooperative business models, innovative food distribution and how local farmers can band together to amplify their food system impact.
Innovations in Strawberry, Raspberry and Blackberry Production
Arado Farm, Silva Family Farm, Regino's Farm, Pure Nelida, Farias Farm and Cabrera Farms — Burlington, WA
Mon., Aug. 12; 3-7 p.m.
Join the Facebook event.
Come meet the farmers from Arado Farm, Silva Family Farm, Regino’s Farm, Pure Nelida Organic Produce, Farias Farm and Cabrera Farms, who grow at the Viva Farms incubator in Burlington, WA. Throughout the Farm Walk we’ll have the opportunity to learn from both experienced and beginning growers about their innovations for planting, production and harvesting of strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. We’ll also hear from WSU researchers and industry experts about best practices for post-harvest handling, shelf life and fruit longevity. The Farm Walk will also touch on irrigation, pest and disease management, and food safety in organic production.
Innovaciones en la Producción de Fresas, Moras, y Moras Negras
Arado Farm, Silva Family Farm, Regino's Farm, Pure Nelida Organic Produce, Farias Farm and Cabrera Farms — Burlington, WA
Lunes, 12 de Agosto; 3-7 p.m.
Únete al evento de facebook
Venga a conocer a los agricultores de Arado Farm, Silva Family Farm, Regino's Farm, Pure Nelida, Farias Farm y Cabrera Farms, quienes producen en la incubadora de granjas Viva Farms en Burlington, WA. A lo largo de la Caminata de las granjas, tendremos la oportunidad de aprender de estos agricultores expertos y principiantes sobre sus innovaciones para la siembra, producción y cosecha de las fresas y moras. Escucharemos también a los investigadores de WSU y los expertos de esta industria explicar las mejores prácticas para el manejo postcosecha y la vida útil de la fruta. La Caminata de las granjas también abordará el riego, el control de plagas y enfermedades y la inocuidad de los alimentos en la producción orgánica.
How Not to Start a Goat Dairy: Lessons Learned & Models for Success From a Veteran, Female Farmer
Lost Peacock Creamery — Olympia, WA
Mon., Sep. 9; noon-4 p.m.
Join the Facebook event.
Join farmers Rachael Taylor-Tuller and Matthew Tuller of Lost Peacock Creamery as they share their story of how they came to be farmers, why they landed on a goat dairy and how they are working to create a sustainable business model while sharing some of the harsh and humorous lessons they've learned along the way. As a veteran farmer, Rachael will talk about farming as a method of healing and guest experts will be on hand to share resources and opportunities that exist for veteran farmers. We will also cover marketing strategy, agritourism as an income stream (yes, that includes goat yoga!) and food safety requirements as we walk the farm. Rachel and Matthew will showcase their favorite fencing systems, discuss their soil health management plan, and how they use herding and guard animals such as dogs, llamas, and peacocks. Participants will have the opportunity to observe the afternoon milking, sample Lost Peacock Creamery cheese and tour the milking parlor and processing facilities.
Farm Walk Booklets
See below for information about past farm walk sites. Click the location for a site description, resources and topics covered during each Farm Walk.
Ecological Soil Management for Organic Grain Production
- Thu., June 13, 2019
- Bluebird Grain Farms — Winthrop, WA
Pasture Raised Meat: Pasture Management, Ethics and Slaughter
- Mon., May 20, 2019
- Bright Ide Acres — Orting, WA
Basics of Biochar: On-Farm Kiln and Soil Amendments: Finnriver Farm & Cidery
- Sat., Dec. 8, 2018
- Oct. 22, 2018
Fall Cover Crops and the Value of On-Farm Education: Cloudview Farm
- Sep. 24, 2018
Creative Farm Financing & Diversified Enterprises (English)
Financiación Agrícola Creativa y Empresas Diversificadas (Español)
- Sep. 10, 2018
Organic Orchard Pest Management (Manejo Organico de Plagas de la Huerta): White Bear Orchard
- Aug. 6, 2018
Fermented Feed for Pastured Poultry and On-Farm Nutrient Management: Foothill Farms
- July 9, 2018
Crafting Value-Added Products with Heritage Grains: Palouse Colony Farm and Joseph's Grainery
- June 4, 2018
- Topics: heritage grains, niche grains, grain-to-glass movement
Cover Cropping for Soil Health: Lenwood Farms
- May 22, 2017
- Topics: cover cropping, irrigated systems, habitat, beneficials
- July 7, 2017
- Topics: Season extension, diversified marketing
- August 7, 2017
- Topics: Orchard, organic transition, certification, recordkeeping
- August 21, 2017
- Topics: Organic, medicinal herbs, wholesale, retail, budgeting
- September 25, 2017
- Topics: Cider, orchard, taphouse, marketing
- October 2, 2017
- Topics: Organic, seed production
Farm Walks are supported in part by the Local Food Safety Collaborative, the WSDA and WA MEAT UP, a statewide gathering for the small niche meats sector..
