Since 1996, we have worked with our community to protect roughly 2,300 acres of irrigated farmland and another 3,000 acres of working rangeland through a combination of conservation easements and land ownership. This work is foundational to the future of agriculture in the Methow Valley. However, we know that protecting farmland form development is simply not enough to ensure a vibrant, viable future for the Methow Valley’s farmers and ranchers. So, we created additional programs to help forge connections between community members and the local agricultural landscape and economy. Below you can learn more about Farm Tours, Methow Grown, Farms to Neighbors, and our other agricultural support programs.
Join us on a summer Farm Tour!
Every summer we organize tours of some local farms and ranches. These tours are a great way to get to know the farmers and ranchers producing some of the food we eat, to learn about their practices, and to connect with locally grown and raised products. Visit our Events Page to learn which farms and ranches you can visit with us this summer.
Methow Grown Farm Directory and Print Guide
This is a directory of all the wonderful farms serving our Valley. Peruse the interactive online directory (or pick up a print guide at our office) to learn about the farmer next door, what they’re producing, and where to find it. You’ll be amazed by the rich diversity of products grown in the Methow Valley: meats, eggs, honey, grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, cheeses, and value-added products! Each farm listing offers a glimpse of what a farm has to offer, and a window into their unique story. Click here to view the online directory.
The Farms to Neighbors Program is based on two simple truths: everyone should have access to high quality, locally produced food and farmers deserve to be paid full price for the fruits of their labor. Click here to learn more about the program, or to make a donation.
We offer in-person farm tours seasonally, which are a great way to meet local farmers and learn about their unique connection to the land in the Methow Valley. Check out our events page to see if there’s a tour coming up. In the meantime, we have a collection of podcast interviews and virtual farm tour videos available to whet your appetite—click here to dive into our farm media catalog.
Resources for Farmers and Aspiring Growers
Is something specific challenging your crops? Are you looking for grant funding? Are you an aspiring farmer looking to build your knowledge base? Click here for a list of resources.
Farmland Leases
We currently lease several hundred acres of farmland, used by local farmers and ranchers for growing and grazing. When other farmland leases come available on land we own or hold conservation easements on, we will post those opportunities here, as well as in other media sources.