Three Landmark Farms Part of 2007 Harvest Celebration Farm Tour
September 10, 2007 — Mule-drawn plowing, hand-sawing of logs, shake splitting, and rope making are just a few of the traditional rural skills on display at the 2007 Harvest Celebration Farm Tour organized by the Washington State University King County Extension and co-sponsored by Preservation 4Culture and King County. The event on Saturday, September 22 features three landmark county farms, including the Dougherty Farm in Duvall. Tove Burhen, vice president of the Duvall Historical Society, says the activities at the farm will include tours of the 1888 "jewel of an old farmhouse," as Burhen puts it. The house is furnished to look just as it did a century ago. "The tours help us with getting recognition," she says.
The Harvest Farm Tour, now in its ninth year, promotes the preservation of King County's rural heritage and the importance of maintaining a strong agricultural economy that serves local needs for fresh produce. This year's event was moved from October to mid-September to take advantage of seasonal produce and September's nicer weather. Activities at each of the 24 participating farms include live music, corn and bamboo mazes, hay rides, alpaca fiber spinning, cider pressing, butter churning, and composting workshops. Besides the Dougherty Farm, the Neely Mansion in Auburn and the Hjertoos Farm in Carnation are the landmark farms featuring demonstrations.
Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of new alternative transportation options. Seattle Parks and Recreation is sponsoring vans to take residents on the tour. Vans leave from the Northgate Community Center for east King County farms and from the Jefferson Community Center to south county farms. Both vans leave at 9:30 a.m. and return at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12. King County Metro Rideshare is also planning van tours. For the latest information, visit the Harvest Celebration Farm Tour website.
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit the farm tour website or contact Tricia Sexton, 206-205-3206.
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