With 140 miles of marine shoreline and over 100,000 acres of highly productive farmland, Bellingham and Whatcom County are a fresh-food haven deliciously located between the Salish Sea and snow-capped Mount Baker.
Farm production in Whatcom County ranks in the top three percent of all counties in the United States. Whatcom County even raises the largest per capita crop of red raspberries in the world! During the summer, all berries reign supreme, with 7,000 acres of land also producing crops of blueberries.
All of this abundance feeds directly into the thriving farmers markets that happen in various locations from Downtown Bellingham to farther north in Blaine. Events honoring the agriculture community happen yearly as well, offering the chance for all to explore local farms and enjoy an annual festival celebrating raspberries.
Explore even more about this local way of life, including Eat Local First! Find delicious fare from local farms, fisheries, eateries, markets and more with Eat Local First resources like the Food and Farm Finder.
Discover local restaurants, farms, markets, and hot spots for a taste of Whatcom County’s best foodie experiences. These local businesses use the freshest ingredients sourced from local farms, fishers, and makers in Whatcom County. Visit the unique places that put our region on the map all while unlocking discounts, promotions, and prizes, too!
Get a feel for our wonderful agricultural events, and then check our event calendar to see what is coming up during your visit!
July is National Raspberry Month and at the peak of the summer harvest season Lynden, Washington hosts the Northwest Raspberry Festival, filled with delicious family-friendly fun!
Savor fresh raspberry sundaes on locally-produced ice cream, listen to live jazz, and sidewalk shop in downtown Lynden. Kids activities include inflatable games, face painting, a Rookies 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and Very Berry Storytime at the Lynden Library. Also look out for a Raspberry pancake breakfast at the Lynden Community Center, followed by the Razz & Shine car show.
The Lynden Farmers Day Parade has been bringing the residents of the Lynden community and surrounding areas together to celebrate Lynden’s agriculture and history for the last 100 years.
This is a parade that showcases farm equipment of the past, present and future, along with decorated floats, marching bands, kids and kids-at-heart on bikes, Scout Troops, 4-H Clubs, cars, trucks and sometimes even boats! Who knows what (or who) will show up at the family-oriented, free-to-attend event!
Every year in September, Sustainable Connections organizes the Whatcom County Farm Tour, which involves a dozen farms around the area opening their doors to the public.
The farm tour is a festive day of fresh flavors and local food explorations. See the bounty of Whatcom County on this FREE, family friendly self-guided tour. Enjoy leisurely strolls through fields and orchards, exciting interactive activities, and the chance to discover the roots of abundant food grown in Northwest Washington. Choose a favorite few stops or be ambitious and hit them all.
The Whatcom Farm Expo is a free annual event hosted by the Whatcom Conservation District and Whatcom County Public Works.
Learn about all the resources available to you, from local organizations to businesses and community groups. Sign up for the expo's E-News to stay up to date and get announcements for the next Whatcom Farm Expo and other events!
