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Area farms offer educational spring outings

Spring is the perfect time to visit a handful of South Sound farms. Photo credit: Grub Farm

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Some South Sound farms are open to the public during the spring months. That's great because spring is the perfect time to visit a farm. Barns are filled with the sounds of baby of animals of all sorts; fields are verdant with the spring green of newly emerged shoots; and the weather - when it's not terrible - is about as close to perfect as it gets.

Located less than 90 minutes from Joint Base Lewis McChord, here are a handful of farms willing and eager to share the springtime wonders of their crops and livestock. The hours listed are for the farm office and/or store and are not necessarily when the farm is open for tours. Calling ahead to schedule a visit is highly recommended.

THURSTON COUNTY

Grub Farm in Olympia exists to "inspire positive personal and community change by bringing people together around food and agriculture.  We partner with youth and people with low incomes to create empowering individual and community food solutions.  We offer tools and training to help build a just & sustainable food system." According to farm manager Heather Rudich, they "offer tours, volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups and educational field trips for kids." Visit their website to see some of the exciting community based projects this unique farm is currently working on.

Grub Farm, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 2016 Elliott Ave. NW, Olympia, 360.753.5522, goodgrub.org

PIERCE COUNTY

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Mountain Lodge Farm, an artisan dairy goat farm featuring Lamancha and Nigerian dwarf goats. They "have monthly free farm events starting in April ... to pet baby goats, meet our working animals and tour our barns and taste and buy our cheese." They also offer cheese making classes and a monthly open house. Call to find out what's on the schedule.

Mountain Lodge Farm, 43423 37th Ave. E, Eatonville, 360.832.1625, mountainlodgefarm.com

Although the lavender won't be available until early summer, Stringtown's tasting room is open on weekends year round. Drop by to taste some fine, handcrafted wine, visit Stringtown's unique vineyard, and hear the story about why it is so different.

Stringtown Cellars and Lavendar Farms, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday, 39610 Eatonville Cutoff Road, Eatonville, 360.832.4743, stringtownfarms.com

The home of Terry's Berries, Wild Hare Organic Farm grows hundreds of varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables. They "foster land-based learning opportunities and grow uncommonly delicious and nutritious food year-round." According to owner Katie Green, "Our fields are open to visitors during our farm stand hours, year-round.  We encourage people to take in a bit of fresh air, visit the animals, and watch us as we grow throughout the year."

Wild Hare Organic Farm, noon to 7 p.m., Tuesday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, 4520 River Road, Tacoma, 253.922.1604, wildhareorganicfarm.com

KITSAP COUNTY

This family-run farm offers "farm tours, birthday parties, weddings, spring egg hunts, summer camp, a corn maze, u-pick pumpkins, food concessions and more!" Call ahead to find out what's happening this weekend.

Pheasant Fields Farm, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 13274 Clear Creek Rd. NW, Silverdale, 360.509.0744, pheasantfields.com

Located on beautiful Bainbridge Island, Heyday Farm is an easy day trip from Joint Base Lewis McChord. They "grow and sell farm fresh food and offer authentic farm experiences, cooking classes, field to table events, and professional and family retreats for our island community and visitors near and far who want to understand, experience, and celebrate our region and the food we produce. Our 25-acre family farm includes a farmhouse, farm kitchen, micro-creamery, gardens, greenhouses, and pastures for animals."

Heyday Farm, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 4569 Lynwood Center Road NE, Bainbridge Island, 206.201.1770, heydayfarm.com

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