Party at the Farm! Tis the Season for Green Bluff

Written by Stephanie on August 29th, 2011

Thorson’s Country Farm and Nursery

You don’t have to go far from the city to experience some good old fashioned farm fun. Just 20 minutes north of Spokane, at Green Bluff, you can pick your own delicious peaches, apples, and other produce in season (or buy them already harvested), take a free wagon ride, taste local wine, listen to live music, have a picnic with lunch and snack items from one of several places, tour some farms, and entertain the kids at numerous play areas. The scenic area is at the foothills of Mt. Spokane.

If you haven’t tasted just-picked Green Bluff peaches and apples, you are in for a treat! Local, farm fresh produce is a world away from the usual grocery store fare and may inspire you to try new recipes and cooking methods. A great website with recipes for natural, healthy cooking that really highlights farm fresh food is At My Kitchen Table. Pictures with the steps make the recipes easy to follow.

The Green Bluff Growers, founded in 1902, is an association of small farms and food stands. In two driving loops, you can visit over 30 farms and stands with an abundance of locally grown and manufactured food. In addition to extremely fresh fruits and vegetable, you will find gifts, alpaca yarn and wool goods, frozen Italian meals, candy, honey, jams, pies, and much more.

Each farm is a little different, and food and entertainment offerings vary by season. Although many farms are open on weekdays, most of the entertainment only happens on weekends. Some farms are closed on Sundays. Check the website to see what is happening at each farm. There are several big festivals at Green Bluff—currently, farmers are celebrating the August Peach Festival on weekends through Labor Day as it is prime soft fruit season. Next up is the September Apple Harvest Festival, when you can pick up some of the best chunky applesauce and fresh pressed apple cider you’ll ever taste. In the fall, pumpkin picking and corn mazes are always popular, and you can even come back for a Christmas tree in the winter. A Sanctuary Bed and Breakfast, on 11 wooded acres at the gateway to Green Bluff, offers the option of a retreat without travelling far from Spokane.

Parking is available and free; expect the roads to be crowded on weekends, but with over 30 farms, lines are generally short. Click here for directions. Green Bluff is great for anyone who loves fresh food, and it is a great family outing, with plenty for kids to do. Each farm sets its own hours; check the farm locator page for details. Click here for a map that shows what each farm offers.