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Agritourism - Farm Stands, Wineries and Breweries
Thurston County's Bountiful Byway
On March 18th, 2014 the Thurston County Board of Commissioners officially designated the Thurston Bountiful Byway—a scenic route in the heart of Thurston County's most picturesque rural and agricultural lands.
The byway will be a scenic route that promotes agricultural tourism, or agritourism, in the rural parts of Thurston County. The proposed route starts in the Nisqually Valley, stretches south to the city of Yelm and west to the Capital Forest before ending at the intersection of Mud Bay Road and Delphi Road SW. Along the way you can explore dozens of special stops and activities including creameries, nurseries, wineries, sculpture gardens, and historic sites. There are more than 90 suggested agricultural, ecological and cultural stops along the Bountiful Byway. Pick a day and stop at as many attractions as time allows.
Bountiful Byway Businesses
Where to stop along the way…
Evergreen Valley
Lavender Farm
Sandstone Distillery
Tenino Farmers
Market
Medicine Creek Winery
Stottle Winery
Yelm Farmers Market
Madsen Family Cellars
The Prairie Hotel
Helsing Junction Farms
Salish Sea Organic
Liqueurs
Nelson Ranch
Scatter Creek B&B (Contact:
SallyA@Scattercreek.com)
Olympia Farmers Market
Wolf Haven International
The listed businesses above are the first group of Bountiful Byway
Businesses approved by the newly established (2015)
Thurston County Agritourism Advisory Committee.
If your business is interested in becoming a member of the Byway
click here.
The route was developed in cooperation with several community partners including local farmers and business owners, the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor and Convention Bureau, Thurston County WSU Extension, the Thurston Regional Planning Council, and other organizations.
For more information please visit www.facebook.com/ThurstonBountifulByway.
Cultivating Agritourism in Thurston County
Agritourism is becoming very popular across the state. The phrase “agritourism” generally refers to any activity that attracts visitors to a farm or ranch. Agritourists can choose from a wide range of activities that include picking fruits and vegetables, riding horses, tasting honey, learning about wine and cheesemaking, or shopping in farm gift shops and farm stands for local hand-crafted goods.
Agritourism
gives farmers the
opportunity to educate visitors about their way of life, share
their agricultural heritage with others, and earn extra income.
Other terms for similar forms of tourism include geo-tourism,
sustainable tourism, and nature-tourism -- all of which are growing
exponentially in popularity and importance to our local and state
economies.
Thurston County Ordinance 14725 (dated March 13, 2012) established an Agritourism Overlay District in specific portions of Thurston County. The purpose of this ordinance is to strengthen the agricultural economy and promote local agriculture.
Helpful Links
Contact Us
Contact Scott McCormick, Associate Planner. Phone: (360) 754-3355 ext. 6372 or e-mail mccorms@co.thurston.wa.us.
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