“I really think this was the best year yet.” -Return Exhibitor
Nearly 50 exhibitors filled the building at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds for the Whatcom Farm Expo on Saturday, March 2. New farmers, seasoned growers, families, and more gathered to network and learn at the eighth year of this annual event. Indoors and out, seminars, live demonstrations, and conversations brought together over 600 attendees interested in improving their farms, properties, and connecting with FREE local resources.
“The live demonstrations were excellent. We loved the goat hoof trimming and learned so much about better caring for our fruit trees.” -Attendee Feedback
Seminars this year covered beekeeping, forestry, backyard chicken care, and livestock ownership for families. Each featured local experts, businesses, and organizations who support farms of all scales across the county. Live demonstrations pulled crowds for goat hoof trimming and hoof care with Marie Hagerty of Fair Path Cow’s Farm and All Breeds Goat Club, and an Apple and Pear Pruning 101 session with Maia Binhammer from Cloud Mountain Farm Center. Tractors on display from Brim Tractors served as live demo examples for tractor service and maintenance with Doug Bajema, where attendees were able to ask questions on all aspects of upkeep and operation for their equipment.
Seminars from Scratch and Peck Feed helped new and seasoned backyard chicken keepers. Les Scott from Les’ Bees received commendations and rave reviews for his “Introduction to Beekeeping: Backyards and Beyond.” Livestock are always popular at the Expo, and families were able to connect with WSU Extension 4H in a seminar on Successful Livestock Ownership for Families. Inter-generational learning is a feature of the Expo every year, with families from young ones to grandparents all able to get something unique out of the experience.
“Thank you for this great event. I’ll be taking this information home to share with my kids and grandkids.” -Attendee Feedback
Sustainable forestry was also featured, with David New stepping up last minute to present on the Washington Tree Farm Program. Free seedlings from the program were a hit, with over 100 young conifers out the door with new families.
“I appreciated the diversity of speakers and presenters. The free trees were great!” -Attendee Feedback
As we near our tenth(!) event in the near future, we are eternally grateful to the exhibitors and speakers who show up every year and who join us new each season. This was our biggest year of attendance yet, and we can’t wait to keep growing with you.
“This being our first time (as an exhibitor), we were impressed by how well everything worked.” -First time Exhibitor
Thank you to all the presenters!
Joni Brown, Scratch and Peck Feeds
Les Scott, Les's Bees & member of Mt. Baker Beekeepers Association
Lynda Williams, WSU Ext 4H Coordinator
Marie Hegarty, Fair Cow’s Path Farm
Doug Bajema, Brim Tractor
Maia Binhammer, Cloud Mountain Farm Center
David New, Former Chair, Washington Tree Farm Program
Thank you to our sponsors! Without you this event could not happen!
Barnraiser sponsors: Coastal Realty, Whatcom County Farm Bureau, Washington State Conservation Commission, Cloud Mountain farm center Cultivator sponsors: Whatcom
Family Farmers and Westside Building Supply
Thank you to our wonderful co-host, Whatcom County Public Works!
To stay up to date on the 2025 Whatcom Farm Expo or other Whatcom Conservation District Events, sign up for our E-News. Whatcom Conservation District will be continuing our Farm Speaker Series in April, make sure to check back for the line-up and see if any of the topics of interest to you! Don’t miss the 31th Annual Native Plant Sale & Celebration taking place March 16th at Pioneer Park in Ferndale.
Thank you to all our exhibitors: Brim Tractor, Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Coastal Realty, Fair Cow’s Path Farm, Friends of Sunset Farm, Kulshan Veterinary Hospital, Les's Bees, Lynden Farmers Market, Mt Baker Beekeepers Association, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Northwest All Breed Goat Club, Puget Sound Energy, Scratch and Peck, Salish Seed Guild, , Skagit Conservation District, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington State Department of Agriculture: Northern Giant Hornet Program, Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, Westside Building Supply, Whatcom Conservation District, Whatcom Back Country Horsemen, Whatcom County Health Department, Whatcom County Noxious Weed Program, Whatcom County Planning & Development Services, Whatcom County Public Works, Whatcom Family Farmers, Whatcom Farm Bureau, Whatcom County Library System, Whatcom Land Trust, WSU Master Gardeners
This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement PC-01J89801 to the Washington State Department of Health. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.