“This was fantastic as always. Thank you for making it interesting for adults and kids. I would love to see more events like this to bring farmers together." -Attendee feedback
The bright sunshine echoed the festive atmosphere at the 9th Annual Whatcom Farm Expo last Saturday, March 1st. Over 360 attendees flocked at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds to network, learn, and meet some farm animals at this free event! New farmers, seasoned growers, families, and more flowed between over 40 exhibitors, 4 seminars, 4 demonstrations, 4 food trucks, and live therapy animals.
"This was amazing! We will use what we learned today to manage and protect our recently purchased property." – Attendee feeback
Exhibitors ranged from local farms, to clubs, to businesses that support farmers, to local universities, to farming organizations, to local agencies, with something for everyone! Families could explore interactive models, kids got seeds and trees to plant, adults could network with organizations and clubs of similar interest, newcomers to Whatcom County or farming got the resources they sought.
"My son loved the pine tree booth, the bees, and learning about the Next Generation Farmstand business." – Attendee feedback
Seminars this year included holistic pasture management, meat bird production and processing, getting started with beef, and native plants in the farm ecosystem. Each featured local farmers sharing their experience both in and outside of Whatcom County. In between each presentation, attendees could attend four different demonstration workshops focused on buying a first tractor, judging hay quality, winter orchard pruning, and tractor preventative maintenance. These were hands-on, with props, so folks could really dive into the subject matter.
" I will use what I learned today to take my farming operation to a larger scale." – Attendee feedback
" I learned about buying cattle, managing pastures, raising chicken, and pruning an orchard." – Attendee feedback
Between seminars, demonstrations, and checking out the many exhibitor booths, attendees would step outside into the sunshine, refuel with cookies, coffee, burritos, or pizza and meet some animals. Animals as Natural Therapy brought a van with two goats, a miniature horse, rabbits, and a dog for people to meet. H.E.A.R.T. (Llama and Alpaca Information Day) brought therapy llamas.
“I grew up with llamas, but don’t currently live on property. It was very special to watch my children experience llamas for the first time.” – Attendee Feedback
" I loved that the Animals for Natural Therapy was here, and the tractor maintenance information was great. " – Attendee Feedback
We are incredibly thankful to the exhibitors, speakers, and attendees that made the 9th Annual Whatcom Farm Expo a success! We look forward to seeing you all next year for our 10th Annual event!
Thank you to all the presenters!
Sandra M Matheson, Matheson Farms
Brianna Widen, Widnor Farms
Marie Hegarty, Fair Cow’s Path Farm
Steve Van Valkenburg, Vans Equipment Repair
Roger Edmonds, Mistyfields Farm
Elizabeth Link, Whatcom Conservation District
Jacob Mills, Farmer & Orchardist
Trevor Gearhart, Whatcom Conservation District
Tristan Simons, Whatcom Conservation District
Thank you to our sponsors! Without you this event could not happen!
Barnraiser sponsors: Coastal Realty
Cultivator sponsors: Whatcom Family Farmers, Westside Building Supply, & Country Financial – Lesa Ferguson & Josh Hungerford
Thank you to our wonderful co-host, Whatcom County Public Works!
To stay up to date on the 2026 Whatcom Farm Expo or other Whatcom Conservation District Events, sign up for our E-News. Whatcom Conservation District will be launching our annual Farm Speaker Series on Thursday May 8 from 6-8 pm, and every second Thursday of the month through October at a different farm site around the county each time. Make sure to stay tuned for the line-up and see if any of the topics of interest to you! Also, don’t miss the 32nd Annual Native Plant Sale & Celebration taking place March 15th at Pioneer Park in Ferndale.
Thank you to all our exhibitors: Animals as Natural Therapy, Brim Tractor, Chuckanut Center, Coastal Realty, Country Financial – Lesa Ferguson & Josh Hungerford, Desert Pine Chiropractic, Edward Jones, Flower Feather Farm, Friends of Sunset Farm, Growing Veterans, H.E.A.R.T. (Llama and Alpaca Information Day), Kulshan Carbon Trust, Kulshan Veterinary Hospital, Lynden Farmers Market, Meridian Equipment Co, Inc, Mt Baker Beekeepers Association, Next Generation Farmstead, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Oak Meadows Farm, Salish Seed Guild, Skagit Conservation District, Skagit County Natural Resources, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, WaterTec, Western Solar, Westside Building Supply, Whatcom Conservation District, Whatcom County Chapter Washington Farm Forestry Association/ Washington Tree Farm Program, Whatcom County Conservation Easement Program, Whatcom Back Country Horsemen, Whatcom County Health and Community Services , Whatcom County Noxious Weed Program, Whatcom County Public Works, Whatcom Family Farmers, Whatcom Farm Bureau, Whatcom County Library System, Whatcom Land Trust, WSU 4H, WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, WSU Farm Stress and Suicide Prevention, WSU Master Gardeners, WWU Small Business Development Center
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