Farm feted with 100th birthday party
Published 8:00 am Wednesday, February 4, 2004
What is now Whidbey Island’s publicly-owned Greenbank Farm is beginning its second century on a hopeful note.
The farm’s storied history as a model dairy operation and then nationally-known loganberry producer was honored at Saturday’s ceremony marking its 100th anniversary, but many eyes were on the future.
Mike Shelton, Island County commissioner, was among those instrumental in arranging the purchase of the 500-acre farm in 1997 for public uses, with help from Island County, the Port of Coupeville and Nature Conservancy.
“There were plenty of naysayers,” Shelton recalled to a cozy crowd of farm supporters gathered in the Jim Davis barn. “It’s evolved into a wonderful asset.”
A number of displays were presented by farm tenants. “All these organizations call us home,” said Karen Hutchinson, chair of the Centennial Committee. “Ask them what the farm means to them, it’s a key part of all their businesses.” She credited many people for the farm’s progress, including Director Laura Blankenship and past and present board members.
Congressman Rick Larsen stopped by to applaud those who worked so hard to save the farm, and modestly noted that he wrote a single letter to help the effort along.
“But it was an important letter,” chimed in someone from the audience.
“All the credit goes to the folks right here in this room,” Larsen replied, urging farm supporters to stay in touch with elected officials. “Keep asking your elected people for help,” he added.
With an alpaca farm in residence, a popular cafe and wine tasting room, a food bank, several small businesses using farm facilities, and some of the farm land being used to raise seed crops, the outlook for the future is promising — especially with $1.5 million in state economic development funding already allocated for farm improvements.
“We are continually refining a diamond in the rough,” Shelton said.
The two-day celebration included a loganberry-themed birthday cake, loganberry pie samples, and local music provided Saturday by long-time island artists Linda Good and Vern Olsen.
