Read our 2019 WA Farms Gift Guide
As you do your holiday shopping this year, keep Washington farms and local producers in mind! From CSA shares to local art and books, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite gift ideas that celebrate farms here in our state. Read our Washington Farms Gift Guide below.
A CSA share from a local farm.
A CSA share, or community supported agriculture share, is a popular way to buy local, seasonal produce directly from a farmer. Consumers pay farmers upfront and receive a box of produce each week throughout the season. CSA’s are a great way to support farmers directly as they provide a steady, reliable income stream early in the year — and delicious, local food to your doorstep! To support one of our conserved farms, check out their individual business pages to learn about their offerings.
A gift basket featuring local provisions.
Our region is blessed with bountiful fruits, vegetables, flowers, cheeses, meats, fish, and more. During the holiday season, there’s no better way to celebrate that very bounty than by gifting someone you love some goodies from your local farmers market or retailer. If you swing by PCC Community Markets, be sure to keep an eye out for exclusive products that support our work! Two dollars from every bottle of Powers Winery Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay and 50 cents from every bag of Tony’s Coffee Terra Nova blend go directly to support farmland conservation.
Artisanal, handmade goods.
In order to diversify and keep their businesses profitable, many farms offer value added products. Look for hand-dyed yarns spun from local wool at Local Color Farm & Fiber or Tolt Yarn & Wool. For skincare products, check out Bright Ide Acres or Growing Things Farm for soaps made from goat milk and lard, or BodyCeuticals for calendula salves and creams made from their flowers in the Snoqualmie Valley.
Art that celebrates local farms and farmers.
Unlike local, seasonal food — art that highlights the beauty of this region lasts forever. Consider a handmade papercut of fruits and vegetables by Anna Brones, a letterpress piece depicting Puget Sound farmland by Sarah Kulfan, or a photograph celebrating the work of female food producers by Audra Mulkern.
Books about local food and farms in Washington.
Know someone who is a lover of agriculture? There are so many books on the topic of local food and farms — here are a few to get you started. University of Washington Professor David Montogomery writes about rebuilding soil in his book Growing a Revolution: Bringing our Soil Back to Life. Our friends at Braided River are launching a new book titled We Are Puget Sound, providing inspiration and actions folks can take to reverse the impacts of climate change in our region. In Growing a Farmer, Vashon Island-based Kurt Timmermeister recounts the toils and joys farming.
A gift certificate to a farm-to-table restaurant.
From Seattle and beyond, there are so many restaurants that celebrate local, seasonal ingredients. The Herb Farm in Woodinville offers a fixed-price, 9-course menu paired with local wine at a cozy culinary retreat. James Beard Award-winning chef Renee Erickson’s restaurants feature French-inspired fare made with heirloom ingredients. In Tacoma, Primo Grill highlights Mediterannean flavors with a Northwest flair.
A visit to a local museum celebrating Washington’s natural and cultural history.
Washington agriculture is tied to so many other systems that tell the story of the place we call home. The new Burke Museum highlights the knowledge, language, and stories of the first people to inhabit this land. The Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture celebrates the rich history of the Latinx community and their significant contributions in Washington State.
A donation to PCC Farmland Trust.
A gift in someone’s honor is always a meaningful way to demonstrate your commitment to local food and farming. Consider a one-time or recurring gift in honor of a loved one or to make an impact on Washington farmland this giving season.