As Greenbank Farm moves forward with plans to expand, people associated with the farm took time to remember the work done that made the farm what it is today.

To do that, residents from around the area descended upon the farm Saturday for an open house in which they enjoyed some live music and sample the products offered by the farm, such as pies from the Whidbey Pies Cafe and local wines from the wine shop.

“It’s a thank you to all the supporters of the farm,” said Karen Hutchinson, Greenbank Farm Management Group board member. She pointed out the recent addition of the demonstration garden by the Master Gardeners and the alpacas which graze in the farm’s pastures.

In addition, people also got an idea of the future of the farm and saw plans for an upcoming expansion.

Greenbank Farm is slated to receive $1.5 million from the state — money which will be used to renovate barn number two. Plans are underway to put in a fiber mill in the second barn. Hutchinson added that the farm is looking at the possibility of installing a commercial kitchen at the farm.

The earmarked money is in the proposed budgets of Gov. Gary Locke, the House and Senate, but a final budget has yet to be approved.

“It’s coming and there’s no question about it,” said State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen.

To show their appreciation for the anticipated windfall, Reps. Barbara Bailey and Barry Sehlin joined Haugen in receiving recognition for their work on behalf of the farm.

Sehlin shifted the praise back to the farm officials, saying their effort in spreading the word about the farm in Olympia was the reason for the funding.

“I’ve never seen a group of people put (more) effort and time into letting people in the Legislature know what the Greenbank program is about,” Sehlin said. “In the House, there were 98 other people who didn’t know what this place is.”

You can reach News-Times reporter Nathan Whalen at nwhalen@

whidbeynewstimes.com or 675-6611.