Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland is excited to announce the launch of an innovative educational and agri-tourism program: Talking Fields.
The Talking Fields program is a self-guided, driving tour throughout the Skagit Delta, with an initial launch of eight different sites currently in operation. This program is meant to engage and inform the public about Skagit agriculture and to create an opportunity for the community to take a lead role in developing and publishing the content at each of the unique Talking Field locations. Tourists and locals alike can follow the Talking Fields driving route, stop at a Talking Field site and use their cell phone to listen to recorded content on a variety of informative agricultural topics and historical anecdotes.
“We look forward to this being a community-supported project to provide better information to the community about the dynamic relationship agriculture has to the culture, heritage and environment of this unique and special place,” said Allen Rozema, Executive Director of Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland. “It’s also an opportunity to support agri-tourism and tourism in general in the Skagit Valley.”
With the support of community partners like Puget Sound Energy, Skagit County, Leadership Skagit and participating land owners, the launch of this program is an opportunity to integrate a new model of public awareness by informing the community about the role agriculture plays as a $300 million dollar industry here in Skagit County.
“The Puget Sound Energy Foundation is proud to partner with Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland to bring this exciting new Talking Fields program to life. We look forward to PSE customers from Skagit County and all across the region enjoying it,” stated Cory Ertel, Community Services Manager with Puget Sound Energy.
Founded in 1989, Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland (SPF) was formed to ensure the continued viability of Skagit agriculture and its required infrastructure through farmland protection, advocacy, research, education and public awareness. Over the past 25 years, SPF has grown in strength and maturity to become a recognized leader in the preservation of farmland and economic vitality of working farms in the Skagit Valley and throughout Puget Sound.
Additional information about the Talking Fields program can be found on the website or by visiting the SPF website.
