Agriculture is Skagit County's largest industry. Each year, during the first weekend of October, local farms, ranches and wineries open their doors to share what it takes to bring food from field to table during an event called the Festival of Family Farms. This free, educational event that allows the public an inside view of this important industry. This cache is available year round to celebrate the Festival and the farms that participate.
This ranch started in 1944 with a signed plan with the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). The SCS was chartered in 1935 as a branch of the USDA to protect the soil, and moisture resources on farm, grazing and forest lands. The conservation plan determined which land would be cleared, which crops were planted and which sections of the property would remain in timber. Over time, this property actively farmed peas, flax, corn, wheat, barley and hay as well as ranching. Herefords were the first cattle raised here and were replaced in 1970 by Maine-Anjou cattle. Consistent with its start, this family is very proud of their land stewardship and participated in the USDA Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), where previously farmed land is returned to its natural state.
Placed with permission and available only during daylight hours.