This article first appeared in the Skagit Valley Herald on Sept. 21, 2024.
Large commercial and smaller organic farms are busy this time of year
The sudden increase in tractors on the road, fields emptied overnight and the change in weather all lead to one thing in the Skagit Valley — harvest season.
The growing season started wet with some late rain in April and May that put some farmers behind, and the cool weather had many hot weather crops such as tomatoes and peppers ripening later than some would like.
But the cool weather also led to a good growing season for many crops, and with the end of the season in sight farmers are hard at work on the harvest.
Skagit Valley Farms owner Tony Wisdom said he was expecting to see smaller potatoes in the field this year due to a late planting, but he ended up pleasantly surprised.
He said the grain harvest that was recently completed provided good quality and yield.
The Brussels sprouts and dry beans also look to be a high quality and with a good yield, although harvest continues.
“Our moderate climate is really suited for what we grow,” Wisdom said.
Michael Hughes of Hughes Farm said he is in the midst of harvesting potatoes and will be rushing to finish the harvest by the end of October as the weather becomes more questionable.
“It’s go time until everything is out of the field at this point,” he said.
Hughes said the moisture this summer created high-quality potatoes. There are a variety of sizes due to the spring rain.
“We’re able to use all those different sizes for all our different customers,” he said.
While farms are in “go time,” Hughes said he recommends everyone drive with caution, especially as oftentimes tractors are not turning onto roads but into fields, which drivers may not be prepared for.
Commercial farms aren’t the only ones busy this season.
Waxwing Farm, a small certified organic vegetable farm in Mount Vernon, has produce through much of November, but is just moving past the busy part of their year.
Owners Taylor Barker and Arielle Luckmann have been on the go since June as they plant and harvest at the same time. Now the final planting is done and all that’s left is to harvest over the course of the next month or so.
Barker said the cool weather had him concerned for his tomatoes and peppers, but the rain over the summer was helpful for crops that prefer a constant water supply.
He said the rain allowed him to not have to stress irrigation this summer, as well.
“It saved me a lot of time,” he said.
Luckmann said this season the farm scaled back and did more cover cropping.
However, she and Barker made sure to stick to their roots and maintain the crop diversity they are known for.
“It’s been nice to bring back a really wide crop spread for customers,” she said.
Waxwing customers have a variety of produce available through November. Updates on what is available are sent out to those on the farm’s email list.
Luckmann said this is her favorite time of the year — when summer and fall collide.
“It’s a nice time of year for eating and cooking, and that excites me,” she said. “Just because summer is over doesn’t mean local food stops.”
For now, Barker said they will keep the summer harvest going as long as possible, but will also be harvesting the fall favorites, such as carrots and winter squash.
— By Racquel Muncy / Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit Publishing, headquartered in Mount Vernon, Washington, strives to provide credible and compelling information and services and a forum for debate for the community. Learn more at goskagit.com
Also read in Salish Current:
- “Going for a triple win with Farm to School programs,” Sept. 25, 2024
- “There’s more to farmers markets than meets the eye,” June 6, 2024
- “Keep wheat’s story — and profits — local,” April 15, 2024
- “Who will farm to feed the people?” Oct. 28, 2022